HIGH COMMISSIONER'S DEPARTURE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 494, 24 August 1912, Page 5

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S DEPARTURE.

FAREWELL TO PARLIAMENT. |nv TKUCintAi'si.— imikss association.] Wellington, This Day. Mr T. Mnckcir/.io entertained the members of Parliament, at; luncheon yesterday, before leaving for England to assume the post of High Commissioner. Mr Mackenzie's health was proposed by the Speaker, and in reply Mr Mackenzie spoke of the need of an activo immigration policy. Ho hoped to bo able to justify the confidence reposed in him. The Prinio Minister also spoke of this, and said it would be part of Mr Mackenzie's duties is to revise tho administration of the High Commissioner's oflicu. Later on Mr Massey caused some amusement by suggostinf; that Sir Joseph Ward and he, neither of whom had ever been on commission, should be appointed a commission to go Home, and report as to whether tho Mackenzie administation was ollieient;. He Raid tho country eouid do without both, especially if they went away together.

Sir Jol3oph Ward said ho hud lost the desire for mom Htrenuoiiß political life. He hat! found the spell off the chain a happy release. Me was not sure that New Zealand could coinpete with Canada and Australia in a programme of immigration and adver-tis-jnient nuch an they caried on.