THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1916, Page 6

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

HON T. MACKENZIE'S SUCCESSOR. MR. MASSEV MENTIONED. Discussing an autumn session of Parliament, the Duncdin Star says editorially: '•Consideration should be given to the matter of the High Commissionship, which ought to be placed on a more satisfactory basis. The status of .this official requires to be raised, so that New Zealand's representative in London would have move prestige in advancing the interests of) the Dominion, and his remuneration should be placed more on a level with that given to the Australian representative. The difference at present is a tremendous disadvantage to the High Commissioner for New Zealand -£SOOO against£2ooo. The High Commissioner should be given a status in the nature of Ambassadorial rank, and social expenses, which are unavoidably heavy, should be a charge on the State. The question of appointing a successor to Mr. Mackenzie will soon have to be considered. It is to be hoped that the appointment will be free from party expedieney, and that it will be made for a longer term than has been the custom in the past. There is more than a shadow of reason in the rumor that the Prime Minister may yet occupy the position of High Commissioner. His qualifications really give him first claim, and he is certainly the right man for the position," i