THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 1912. THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10683, 1 August 1912, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 1912. THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

On July Bth, two days after the -downfall of the Mackenzie Ministry, the Wairarapa Age wrote that Mr Massey would .be-acting in the best interests of the Dominion, and in a .graceful spirit if he were to offer 1 the appointment of High Conwnisaioner to the Hon. T. Mackenzie. At the time, we could isee no other person on the horizon 'who would -so ably perform the functions of Home representative as the retiring Premier, and despite all the arguments that have been employed in the interim, our opinion has remained unaltered. It is true that, by his action in deserting Mr Massey at a time .when politics wore a different aspect, Mr Mackenzie forfeited all claims to special consideration. It is equall'y true that the n'e<w High Commissioner dots not possess all the qualities that one might desire in one holding 'so responsible a position. At the same time, we felt it a .duty to urge Mr Massey to place the interests of the country 'before those of party, and to .select the hest man available for ItJhe position. The names of several other gentlemen were mentioned, and ,we have reason to know that in certain quarters the claims of Sir William Russell were sti'ongly pressed. The Prime Ministc'r was assured, however, by the best friends of his party, that had the appointment .been given to Sir William Russell •a fatal error would he made, nrid he has., probably with a little diffidence, arrived at this opinion himself. When the .name of Mr Mackenzie was mentioned, the Press as a wh'ole—.Government fas well as Opposition—w.etre unanimous! in tflie opinion that no better 1 selection .was possible. That the offer should (have been imado and accepted, .is % tribute to the diptomaey, fohe generosity and the pubho-spiritednei9S of the Oabi- I net, -as well as to the'fidelity to the.

Dominion of the appointee. The Hon. T. Mackenzie might have refused tliie proffertAl position, 'He might have a-emarned in New Zealand to lead the Opposition in the hope of again being iu power at some future date. But (he 'Was. realised .that the best interest of (the country demand the sacrifice of one's dignity anil personal ambitions tit times. Has action, therefore, in surrenddring bis future prospects ifti the .Dominion, thengh it may he construed into disloyalty and even treachery by the more prejudiced partisans, ki numost as commendable as the high asnse of public duty that lias prompted Ithe Ministry in making the appointment. ,We fed. confident tUiat \ Mjr Mackenzie, who is stilll tin the prime of life, will bring all his energy, .business experience and diplomacy to boar in tihe safegnadding of the interests of NW Zealand in toe larger sphere to (which he has been appoint(Vl. The Gnvoni-mont will, of course, il<2 charged 'by extreme partisans wiih ■ulterior, if nob baso political motive ia inVJkiiiig ithe -selection. It can affi and ito treat .siioli 'criticism with contempt, in the knowledge that the great hulk -of tne people, and more palrtieularly the -commercial section of tlte eomnrunitv, regard the appointment wMi hitcniae satisfaction. Mr ; Massey 'has, at anyratto, shown that he has a .soul above Ithe miserable consideration of party politics, and in this connection alone .he has set an example 'Which will establish his reputation in the country as a Statesman , rat heir Man an opportunist.