The Advocate. [Established 1888.] [PUBLISHED DAILY.] OLDEST ESTABLISHED PAPER AND GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT. FRIDAY, MAY 13, 1910. FINANCIAL ADVISER.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 110, 13 May 1910, Page 4

The Advocate. [Established 1888.] [PUBLISHED DAILY.] OLDEST ESTABLISHED PAPER AND GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT.

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 1910. FINANCIAL ADVISER.

CIRCULATES IN Dannevirke " Mangatoro Tamabi Ngapaeruru ■ ...Mangahe Webtr Ti Tree Point ' Waione Wimbledon Herbertville Akitio Horoeka Oriugi' iviruaki Moharabara Woodville Uniutaoroa Matamau Piripiri Makotuku Ormondville Norse wood Takapau Whetukura Awariki (ptanga Kumeroa Rangitane 'Raumati Rua Roa S.Norsewood Tiratu Tipapakuku Mangapuaka Mangatuna Makaretu

One of the surprises of last session of Parliament wits the rejection of a vote placed on- the Estimates making a payment of £4OO to the Hon. W. P. Reeves; "the late High Commissioner in London, as financial adviser to the Government. . The item was rejected by 35 votes to 25. When the Supplementary Estimates appeared it was found that the item had been reinstated* and the Opposition put up a notable stonewall to prevent the passing of the vote. After a pointed illustration of the extent to which party tactics are developed in such a matter, the vote was passed by 38 votes to 27, the. Premier having made it clear that there was to be -no commitment beyond June 30—that the House would have an opportunity for further consideration of the appoints ment after that date. The sequel to the incident has now.appeared. On being made aware ,of the feeling of the members upon the vote, Mr Reeves cabled his resignation as from March 31, although he could have retained the position until June 30. It could scarcely have been expected that any other course would have been followed, as no man who valued his self-respect would have retained the office under such adverse criticism as Mr Reeves received. Mr Massey will no doubt contend that he has been instrumental in limiting the extravagance of the Government in this matter, but it is a very hollow victory indeed in face o-f the declaration of the Premier that it was most important that the office should be preserved. TJie payment of £4OO is a veritable trifle considering the magnitude, of the Dominion's financial operations in London. Mr Reeves, as High Commissioner, has been in close touch for several years with these transactions, and it is claimed that his intimate knowledge of the London money market would prove most useful to the Dominion. Of course it has been held that the present "High Commissioner should be able to deal effectively with all questions of finance, but whether it would not have been advisable to have retained Mr Reeves as adviser is open to argument, and Time will prove whether the action of the Government was justified or the reverse.