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Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1926, Page 2

The return of Sir James Allen from six years of useful office as Now Zealand's High. Commissioner in London, is announced. Sir James has had a busy term of office overseas, for he had the peiiod of the aftermath of the war to deal with, when matters were in a disordered state. His services at Home were very constant and intimate, and we know from the fervour of the sendoff accorded him oil leaving London, that he made a good name for himself, and incidentally for New Zealand. During hi.s sojourn at the heart of the Kmpire he would have gained much useful administrative experience, and as the press telegram advised he lias returned physically fit and ready for many years of usefulness, it will not he surprising if lie is not apropriatod for some useful Dominion work. Sir James Allen was the Minister of Finance in former times, and as finance is the allimportant matter at the present time, and will be for some time to come, no doubt the services of Sir James could he used in various directions to advise on important aspects of high finance. Sir James had the opportunity of seeing the Prime Minister before his departure for London yesterday, and probably simultaneously would meet the other members of the Cabinet. Sir James was so intimate a member of the Reform party that he is certain to he taken again into their counsel, and it will not he surprising if in due course he is not- holding an important position in the affairs of the country. The party can do with his services. We should say at this juncture, and with the knowledge and experience he has acquired, that the country can do with his services also, and if it were in some Vesponsibie executive portion that fact would be appreciated generally. One effort likely to .spring from Sir James Allen’s service abroad is the question of the status of the representative at Home. Probably the Imperial Conference will consider a general plan in that regard, and if so. it would not be surprising to find the High Commissioner, who has advanced already from an Agent-General, assume a more important standing still. Men of tire calibre of Sir James Allen would be worthy of that confidence, and a

movement to that end would not he a surprising development.