N.S.W. AGENT-GENERAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 152, 29 June 1926, Page 8

N.S.W. AGENT-GENERAL.

A DIPLOMATIC MOVE. THE CHELMSFORD APPOINTMENT. The "Sydney Daily Telegraph" gives what it c-laims is the "inner story" of the recent appointment of Viscount l lielmst'ord as -igent-General for New South Wales. With the dramatic death of Sir Timothy Coghlan on the actual day of arrival in London of the AttorneyGeneiul (.Mr. McTiernan) and of the Minister of Agriculture- (Mr. Dunn), both these Ministers were, placed at a distinct disadvantage, says the ."Telegraph." Their mission was to convince the Department of Dominion Alfairs, and its Ministerial'head (Mr.-L. C. M. S. Amery). of the advisability oi Hooding membership of the Legislative Council of New South Wales, thus achieving its extinction. And no better spokesman nor more influential' personage was available to aid their object than Sir Timothy Coghlan, personal friend $f British Cabinet Ministers and of the leaders' of the wealthy financial institutions at the heart of Empire affairs.

Mr. McTiernan cabled to Sydney for instructions. Without an efficient and noteworthy Agent-General,, the inner circles of the British Cabinet were closed against him; An absence of two State Ministers from their offices, for an extended period was unthinkable. Mr. McTiernan, seized with the responsibility of "sounding" likely successors to Sir Timothy Coghlan, had a quiet ta'k with the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, who, it. is understood, .assured him that no better Agent-General could be found in Britain than Viscount Chelmsford, whose knowledge of Australian affairs was invaluable, and who was admittedly a leader in British financial and political quarters. Cables to Sydney followed. Premier's Dilemma, The Premier (Mr..Lang) at first was disinclined to swerve from . the established policy of Australian-born appointments. Obviously, lie was in a dilemma Important State affairs, however, demanded attention, and it was thought inadvisable to. leave the office of AgentGeneral, vacant for a -long period. There werp aspirants innumerable, even in Cabinet, ranks, but that would not sway him from his purpose.

Finally, Viscount Chelmsford was offered the appointment. Unhesitatingly, he expressed his, willingness to accept it. The invitation,.couched in polite terms, contained an inference that an increase in the salary received by Sir Timothy Coghlan (£IBOO, with expenses), would be readily igven. This showed the Ministry's desire to "secure his services. Viscount Chelmsford 'stipulated- however, that he should receive no additional remuneration, and. one of the conditions governing his acceptance of the position would be that he received the same salary as his predecessor. .

• Another- of the conditions under which Viscount. Chelmsford agreed to become, Agent-General was that he. should give his unremitting attention to. the duties in Britain, and . accordingly should resign from organisations or institutions with which he was connected. This proviso was waived in view of the fact that the appointment is of a temporary nature.

As a member of the House of Lords, a personal friend of Cabinet and leaders of all political parties in Britain, and as one who is closely associated with' financial'interests there, it is felt by the New South Wales Government that his appointment will be beneficial to the State. Or should the word "State" be altered to' read—"party"?