SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1916, Page 3

SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE.

'■ HIS SERVICES EULOGISEi:. A HIGH COMMISSIONER'S STATUS. By Cable—Press .Association—Copyright. Received Jan. 27, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 28. There was a large and representative reception of New Zealandcrs at the Whitehall Rooms to mark their appreciation of Hon. Sir Tlios. Mackenzie's knighthood. Among those present were Sir Jss. Mills, and Mr. J. B. Coates, besides the Agents-General for the Australian States. Lord Plunket, who presided, eulogised Sir Thos. Mackenzie's services to the Dominions and paid tribute to his wife's kindly at tuition to the New Zealand wounded. Not only had a worthy representative received an honor that was due, but it was a compliment to the Dominion which had sent sixty thousand men to the defence of the Empire. Sir Thos. Mackenzie, in the course, of his reply, said he deeply appreciated the tributes paid to him and his wife. After the war there would be a great opportunity of enjarging the markets here and on the Continent. In conjunction with Sir T. B. Robinson (AgentGeneral for Queensland), he had succeeded in stopping a contract between an important Continental Power and the American meat packers, which, would have disastrously handicapped Australia and New Zealand for five years. On the question of a High Commissioner's status, he did not agree to granting him Cabinet rank. Tile position should he dissociated from' party, and a Commissioner should represent his country, not a party, although he might have a Minister's powers on certain subjects that required to be dealt with on the spot. "We are on the eve of great changes," said Sir Thos. Mackenzie, "we are close to one form of Imperial control and the dawn of another. The Overseas peoples have loyally and enthusiastically ranged themselves behind the Motherland to the limit of their powers, and they have a distinct promise to be consulted in regard to the peace terms, and probably in the near future they will be asked to take a proportionate share in the control of Imperial affairs."