HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 64, 2 August 1912, Page 5

HIGH COMMISSIONER.

MR. MACKENZIE'S INTENTIONS, NEW MARKETS. By Telegraph—Press Association. ChristchurcJi, Last Night.

The newly-appointed High Commissioner, the Hon. T. Mackenzie, -arrived I from Wellington this morning, and left for Bak-hitha by the first express. In j an in leu-view he said that it would he quite a fortnight before he would resign his seat in the House, as he had a local Bill in hand and several other matters. He would be leaving for London in about a fortnight or three weeks' time. At present he was going down to Olutha, and he would be back probably on Tuesday. 'He expected to go north and then come down again. Mr. Mackenzie said that Jio wanted to get into touch with some of the Chambers of Commerce and other representative bodies l regarding Home work, and to hear any suggestions they might have to offer. " "What are your intentions in regard to extending New Zealand trade and produce facilities?" queried the reporter. In replying, Mr. Mackenzie stated that it would take some time to get a grasp of things at Home. He had, of course, been watching from this end the changing conditions and realising that the time had arrived when it should be possible for meat-producing countries at any rate to obtain some access to European markets. Some years ago Canada had arranged for reciprocal trade with France, and it was apparent that countries like Germany 'and Austria would soon require to supplement their own supplies from outside countries. "The country," said Mr. Mackenzie, "that first succeeds in arranging for the admission of its produce will obtain very great, advantages. Of course, we will have to offer something in return, and it is for our Government here to consider how best to deal with that phase of the situation. Already I -have pointed out that Germany has nearly consumed her entire -sheep flocks by one half, and as meat eaters on the' Continent are not diminishing it follows that supplies must be obtained from abroad." ''Fruit will have special attention from me in the Old Country," replied Mr. Mackenzie to a further query. "I think it lias been demonstrated that we can land fruit in excellent condition, and equal, if not superior, in quality to that of any other country, and tliat will mean a very gSFeat deal to us hare. ]"t will bring into use great areas of verv poor land"! and if the fruit obtained is a success it will offer profitable employment in the country -for many who desire to live out of the towns, and yet the work is not too heavy. Even our women folk might take it up along with be->-fa.rnrii)«- with advantage." °