THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP. King Dick Isn't On.

Free Lance, Volume V, Issue 254, 13 May 1905, Page 6

THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP. King Dick Isn't On.

EVER since the idea was promulgated last year m the Governor's Parliamentary address, the High Commissionership has been the favourite topic of the Opposition press. They have been cocksure from the outset that King Dick meant it for himself. He was feathering his own nest. He felt his physical powers waning. He was losing his hold upon the people. The party was getting mutinous and demanded a change. Nothing was more certain than that the Cabinet must be reconstructed at once, if not sooner. Upon all this the changes have been rung in full chorus. * * * But none of these foretold events have happened. The Cabinet hasn't been re-constamcted, and seems to be getting along pretty well, thank you. King Dick's bodily powers still seem equal to the same old strain. The party hasn't kicked over the traces. And what about the High Commissaonership ? Well, Richard has said time and again he didn't want it. The statement wasi laughed to scorn from the Opposition benches m Parliament. In the Opposition press it was received with every mark of derision and disbelief. The Premier's disclaimers were all cunning evasions, which made it quite certain he was only making a shallow pretence of not wanting what he really meant to have. * * * Well, they have got it right from the shoulder at last In replying to the toast of "The Ministry," at the banquet to Mr J. F Kerwin the other night, the Premier has Stated his mind in. the plainest of plain English. He doesn't want the High Commisaionership, and he is not going to leave New Zealand Hia Opposition friends, he said, were awfully anxious to pack him off They had metaphorically carried his luggage to the steamer, and painted on it the address— "B, J Seddon, High Commissioner, London.' He

wasn't sure they had not actually been to the shipping office to arrange his passage for him. But he declined to budge. New Zealand was good enough for him, and so long as the people were content with him he meant to stay on. , After this, the High Commissionership may fairly be given a rest. Richard John is not billetting himself off m London. He hasn't applied for a peerage. The Premiership isn't in pawn. The same old Cabinet is going to face Parliament as usual, and wcxrry through the session and fight the elections at the end of the year. There is no use playing the High Commissionership gag any longer. Mr. Seddon isn't going Home Richard himself has said it.