The Daily News. MONDAY, JUNE 19, 1905. THE FIRST HIGH COMMISSIONER OF NEW ZEALAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7852, 19 June 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. MONDAY, JUNE 19, 1905. THE FIRST HIGH COMMISSIONER OF NEW ZEALAND.

Tho appointfaient jof the Hon. W. J*. Reeves as the first High Commissioner ot Sew Zealand will he received with satisfaction not only in the colony, but also in London, where, as Agent-General, Mr Reeves has represented the colony wjith conspicuous success for the past nine, years. Doubtless the Opposition, aad that section of the press which supports fih a "forlorn Mope," will tie greatly disconcerted by "the appointment, for tfcey have been so persistent in their cflorts to make the public believe that the Premier meant to be New Zealand's first Hifeh Commissioner, and had Created the post for that purpose, apd now another of their bubbles has burst—thedr most ardent desire . frustrated, Mr. Seddon remains in tho colony to direct its tinies, and, tot us hope, to establish a wood's record, Premijiiship. It is as Premier that Mr jjeddon cam best' serve the colony, and it is as High Commissioner that Mr Reeves car. 'best represent the colony's interests at Home. The qualifieaions .which are necessary for each) of ■thest! important offlcos are by no (means identical, although it is cssontial that in both cases' they shall be of a very high order. It is a matter for sincere congratulation that . the colony has the services of two mcni of such exceptionally brilliant attainments as Mr Seddon and Mr Reeves, the one so pre-eminently titled for t'he office of Premier, and the other for that of High Commissioner. The position which.New Zpaland h a s attained nnder the present Administration' amply justified the status of its representation being raised to. a par with that of Canada. Mr Reeves is. not only a native of New Zealand, ;but has also received a training here, his brilliant career a 8 barrister, journalist, author, politician and Cabinet Minister fitting him to fill with digi nity and eclat tho exalted post to which he has now been appointed. The delay 'in making known the choice of the Government is only reasonable under tho circumstances, as it has doubtless been found necessary for several communications to pass befcweon the Cabinet and Mr Reeves relative ,to. consequent on tjp; frttercd conditions of the office. What powers and duties will be icaposed on the High Commissioner have not yet been disclosAi, the Act of last yoar leaving this definition to the Governoj-in-Cou'ncil. There is every reason to believe that most of the details have been settled and will probably be made public when Parliament re-assemhtes. There is, however, one important matter that should receive Bpeciat attention when re-iorglanisrag the staff,, and that is the appointment of a. capable business man well qualified to look afU-r nnti foster tho Oonvmcrcial interests of the colony at Home, especially in connection with tho markets for our produce. There is a feeling tfhiat 'in the paSit this has been a weak feature in the Agent-Giefieral'e department, and the present is an excellent opportunity, for strebgthaaiug >

our comirjercial position, and prospect*,. In all other' neepieete Mr lteeves lias deserved, well of liis country; and has justly earned the promo tien he has i>|odiived. We {eel some,what sorry for the shbek- inflicted on the Opposition by the appointment, but thqy haye dnly themselves to blame for attempting to make political capijlul out of their own desirug. Had they, the interest | of thejcolony «t heart ithey would never have placed themselves in such a position, and the incident uends to ' show in a very marked way how rea-

. dyt'hey arc to sacrifice the oest in- | terests of the countiy to the fuirtherance of their own ambition. The creation of t\he High Commissionership jwaa a stop in the Might direction. It not only marks an era in the expansion and importance of the colony, but it also manifests itself as an outcome of that wise and progressive policy which has raised the status of New Zealand to the proud position which it bejupies to-day in the eyes of the world.