THE AGENT-GENERALSHIP

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2492, 30 June 1888, Page 2

THE AGENT-GENERALSHIP

Tije following letter has been addressed to the Colonial Secretary, in Wellington, by Mr Win. Arch. Murray, of Pinko : — The Hon. Colonial Secretary, Wellington. —Sir: The Agency-General of New Zealand in London should be recognised as a place where colonists could meet each other, and take others to get information about the colony, not as bores who might be tolerated, but as theirs by right. When financial reform must be drastic and searching, permit me to suggest how a saving of, at least, £1000 a year may be effected, and in view of the present Agent-General's retirement, the colony be better served than heretofore. On one of the two occasions where business, not choice, took me to the New Zealand Agency-General, I met the Hon. \V. Gisborne, and was very pleased to see the great and kindly interest he takes in New Zealand's welfare. I understand that he enjoys a pension of £(>OO or £700 a year, and I believe that for £300 or £100 a year more he would undertake the duties of Agent-General. From his long and intimate acquaintance with New Zealand, his knowledge of its business, his intellectual culture, the high social standing which the Gisborne* long held, his courtesy and his devotion to New Zealand, all point to him as, under the circumstances, suited for the position of Agent-General. If an Agent-General is wanted, public opinion will scarcely continue to sanction a policy which mado the Agent-General's chief occupation the converting of interest on our loans with part of our publie debt. Therefore, the duties of Agent-General may largely consist in representing New Zealand favouraoly, and in affording information with courtesy. We want no puller or bogus schemer or professor of financial inagic.—Yours faithfully, W.m. Ancn. Muhkay. Mount Pleasant, Piako, A)th June, 1888.