HIGH COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10134, 7 December 1910, Page 4

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE.

The return laid upon the table of the House of. Representatives ..last week, showing that the salaries alone of the High Commissioner's office in London amount to nearly £IO,OOO, will, be an eye-opener to a great many people. vVith rents and other expenses, it is safe to assume that the' total cost of the institution is £20,000 per annum. ..s the Dominion receiving value for its money? That is the question which will naturally be asked. The opinion is generally entertained that it is not. Sir William Hall-Jones is a very nice, affable man in his way. As a High Commissioner, however, he is a square peg in a round hole. It was generous of his colleagues v > to send him home for the good of his. health. But, in these days of strenuous commercialism, ; when : shrewd business aptitude is required to maintain and develop the markets for our primary products, the Dominion cannot afford to take risks for the mere sake of sentiment. The Commonwealth has a very live representative. in Sir George Reid, and New Zealand will require to send Home a smart, active business man if it wishes to mainLain its prestige in the commercial world.