The Daily News TUESDAY, JULY 28. THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 186, 28 July 1908, Page 2

The Daily News TUESDAY, JULY 28. THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP.

The resignation of Air. \Y. 1\ Reeves of the position of High Commissioner for .Sew Zealand in .London will have occasioned no little surprise throughout the Dominion, and unile regret will he felt that one of New Zealand's foremost men has practically severed an honorable olliciul connection win Hie Covernmcnt, at home and abroad, of over 20 years' standing, it is a matter I for congratulation that a New Zcalander, whuSc education and experience were received in the Dominion, should .have been preferred for the .high position in the London University to which he'has been appointed. 'Regret will be felt,-not so much that a ciiauge in the ollice of High Commissioner is to take place, as -that New Zealand is not to nave the bencht of Mr. Reeves' wise counsel and ripened knowledge, as had been hoped, on his return to the Dominion. Twelve years' absence, however, has made the High Commissioner more a Londoner than a New "Zcalauder, and it is perhaps not to be wondered at .that he has accepted a position oll'ering fuller "scope for his undoubted talents than the less congenial almos- ; phere of New Zealand could give. We !' bSlieve we are but voicing public opinion when we' say that the highest ollice in the State would have been easily • within his- reach had he chosen to i re-eater public life in New Zealand.

\t the same time, there is every reason to believe that tile time is ripe lor a

change in the management of our London Ollice, which, obviously must be very much out of touch with the march of events and thought here. The irigh Commissioner by dint of his energy and ability, has kept as closely in touch with current events and progress as 12.000 miles of separation would por-

ait, but even he, we doubt not, is unble to appreciate to the full the giganic strides New Zealand 'has made durng his lengthy absence. The remaining executive officers in the London Ollice,

with the exception of Mr. Cameron, have not been in the Dominion lor years, while the stall' of the ollice is composed of men who have never set eyes on the country whose interests they are assisting to conserve. Obviously, under these conditions, the London Office cannot be expected to as thoroughly represent our interests as it would we're it partially stalled by New Zealanders familiar with New Zealand all'airs. The opportunity now presented should, and we believe will, be taken j advantage of by the Government to reorganise the office by bringing it more I closely into touch with the Dominion.

Tin' precedent previously established, and now followed li.v -Mr. Ueevos. is nut ill accord witn what the spirit (if the appointment should bo, and it is certainly not in the best interests of i\ow Zealand that the experience oi the j High Commissioner. whoever he might he, should he lost when Unit experience, gained at the Dominion's' expense, would he most valuable. Neither Mr. Reeves nor his predecessor in office is to be blamed for the action he lias taken, but in making new appointments, one of the most important stipulations should be that the High Commissioner returns to the Dominion at "t'he end of his term. Similarly a proportion of the staff should be roeniitcd from the Civil Service, and re-transfer-red to their appointments at regular intervals. By this means, a .competent staff would ' always be available, at home and in London, thoroughly conversant with the Dominion's needs and requirements, and the procedure of the London Office. Speculation is rife as to the probable successor to the office. Already the names of Mr. MeNTab, sir. Hall-Jones. Mr. T. Mackenzie, and .Mr. Donne are mentioned as in the running, but it is idle to speculate at this juncture. Tn making the appointment, while other qualifications niu-t not be lost sight of, genera! commercial knowledge should be a sine quo non. AVeve a strong man available to assume the Premiership, vice Sir Joseph Ward, we believe popular opinion would acclaim with one voice the appointment of the present Prime Minister to the ITigh ComniiSsioners'liip, but. as Sir Joseph pointed out hist evening, lie has no thought of taking up the position. Still, a man of his commercial qualifications is what is wanted.