THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1908. THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3016, 12 October 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1908. THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

By the resignation of the Hpn. W. Pembar Reeves, from the position of High Commissioner for New Zealand, the pecpJe of the Dominion undoubtedly sustained a loss. An effort to minimise the effect of that loss as far as possible has been made by appointing the Hon. W. Hall-Jones to the position, but though the general feeling will be that the Government has made a wise selection, at the same time it cannot be denied that the step taken means the withdrawal of an able Minister's services at a time when the country needs all the ability of which Ministers are capable. With a long and honourable career as a public man at his back, and with the reputation of having been a most hard-working Minister, who efficiently performed his duties, and did so at times, it is to b.e feared, to the detriment of his health, the Hon. W. Hall-Jones will leave these shores for London, knowing that he

carries with him the appreciation, for past services, and the best wishes for his future welfare, of a people who are not insensible to valuable services on the pert of their public men. The Premier, when announcing the appointment to the House, remarked that Mr Hall-Jones in his career as a public man had been devoted to whatever duties had been assigned to him, and he was certain that in taking: up his new position he would as zealously and faithfully carry out the work attaching to it as he had in connection with the responsible and difficult tasks which had devolved on him by his high appointments in this country. Mr Massey stated that he was of the same opinion as the Premier in respect to the high distinction which had been conferred upon Mr Hall-Jones. He, also, expressed the hope that Mr Hall-Jones would serve the Dominion as well and as faithfully as Mr Reeves had done. Now that the High Cornmissionership question has been settled, public thought will naturally turn in the dii'ection of who will be the new Minister. Several members are said to be "in the running, "and Messrs Laurenson, F. E. Baume, A. L. D. Fraser, and W. J. Jennings are mentioned as having the best chances. It does not follow, however, that even if the Cabinet can select the member most qualified for the position, that he will be appointed. There is the eternal issue of North versus South, and other considerations of a party character which simply must be given due attention. Party interests, or wishes, must predominate in the matter of an appointment to the Ministry, the interests of the country being, of course, of a quite secondary character. The Government are really not to be so much blamed as it would appear for studying important questions from a party point of view—their conduct in this respect is a shortcoming inseparable, to at least some extent, under the present system of party government.