The Bruce Herald. MILTON, THURS., MARCH 13, 1913.

Bruce Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 20, 13 March 1913, Page 2

The Bruce Herald. MILTON, THURS., MARCH 13, 1913.

For many years the position ol Agent General, and lately that ol High Commissioner, was a high salaried appointment used, by the powers tuafc were to placate uu opponent, or get rid ol' an inconvenient friend. It is sale to say chat the latter reason was the main cause of the appointments of our first two (Jommisisoners. In the Hon. Peniber Reeves New Zealand had an able politician, who turned his political coat, then designated his erstwhile frienus ud "social, pests," and linally won fame as the friend of tne working man! He was also the sardonic author of that comic opera legislation, known as the New Zealand Arbitration and Conciliation law, but he and King Dick failed to agree, so the Hon. Peniber Reeves was translated to London on a fat salary. Years after tne Hon. Mr Seddon and his colleague, Sir J. G. Ward, quarrelled, and thereupon he raised the salary of our Agent General in London, and gave him the grauaiose title of High Connnissoner, the object being to translate Sir Joseph to London, but he failed to accept the bait, and he and Mr Seddon, went on publicly pretending great admiration for each other ! (Shortly after Mr Seddon's death, Sir Joseph appointed Sir W. Hall Jones to che position, out of gratitude for handing him over the premiership. as is now well-known, Sir W. Hall Jones was in bad health, and, under any cicrcumstances, was eminently uniittod for the position. It will be seen that, for years this office in Loudon has been under the management of public men, whose main qualifications for the position have

been their claims on their party, and there is little doubt, up to the date of the last appointment, a similar condition of • affairs prevailed since New Zealand obtained constitutional government. Last year, however, the Cabinet wisely, appointed the Hon. T. Mackenzie and his long business training, and his knowledge of tne irozen meat trade in London, to say nothing 01 his ability as a speaker, should do much to bring the High Commissioner's oilico out into the limelignt in Juonuon. jb'or years, especially recently under the previous nigh Commissioner, the ofiiee hut been a back number, amongst tht oolonial offices in London, ana undei new and up-to-date business management like that oi Mr Mackenzie, splendid work should be done for thib country. In the face of the recent, advertising by Canada and Australia, of the resources of their respective countries, it is time JNevv Zealaun cajne io the tore, H'ox example, eve*

Bliiee the appointment) of Sit George Keid as High Commissioner for the Australian Commonwealth, .New Zealand has been relegated to a back seat. This versatile High Commissioner is always on the go in Engarnl, and on die Continent, advocating and advertising Jiio country and its prospects,, while against this big man, mentally and physically, our late High Commissioner paled his tual fires. As showing Sir George Reid's good work, it may be pointed out that he has recently made two visits to Germany, with the object of removing the obstacles which at present retard the expansion of the Australian frozen food trade aoross the English Channel, as a result of his last visit to that country it would appear, according to a press report, there has been a temporary relaxation in the duties in favor of Australian mutton, with the resui that the municipal authorities have taken Australian mutton under their wing and sold it direct to the consumer at a greatly reduced price. The hign price of meat is one oJt the serious proolems of German life just now, and consequently Australian mutton fetches a higher price there tnan in England, it is also probable Glial; Australian butter will soon find a good customer in Germany. It will be seen that air G. lieid is not only a good talker but a good worker. Let us hope that our present High Commissioner will soon prove that he is equal to the Australian representative ana is the right man m the right place.

A petition, signed by 60 electors, was presented at last night's meeting of the Miiion .borough Council, by Or Henderson requesting that a poll be taken on the half-holiday question. As the number of signatures was in excess of the number required (onetenth) of electors on the roll, it was decided that a poll be taken on the same date as the municipal elections, bOth April, .^ Mr G. 0. Primmer nas disposed of his farming property in Clarendon dißtrict, containing 15d0 acrea, to Mr J. Stainger, of Dannevirke. The sale was effeoced through Medars J. A. Duthie and Co. JThe Empire Pictures programme to be screened on Saturday evening should not fail to attract a "bumper" house. First-class dramas, detective story, scenic and comic films are agreeably interspersed in a programme which for excellence will be nard to beat. Report of annual meeting """of. Ulutha Veterinary Associacon appears on our inset pages. ' The district electors' list for the Borough of Milton was adopted at the meeting of the Borough Council last night. The main roll coutaius about übO names, but the supplementary roll does not close until Wednesday, ltith prox. The incorporation of Duthie's Estate with the Borough of Milton ■ will be gazetted to take yft'ect as from April Ist. The ceremony of christening the capital of the Australian Commonwealth took place yesterday, when it was named Canberra; a name some what suggestive of beer in a can—with the froth off. The Toko. High School picnic to Wairongoa yesterday was attended by over #OO children and about 150 adults. The party left Miiton by special train at y a.m., and the participants report having spent a most enjoyable outing. Tne weather was derighclully line, though threatening in the morning. JNumerous races and outdoor games were arranged for the juveniles, trophies being awarded. The thanks of the committee are due to Messrs Thomson and Co. for kindly placing the grounds and buildings aG their uisposal. The various places of interest at Wairongoa were greatly admired by the visitors. The paity returned home about 7.80 p.m. It is reported that the nnanoiai side of the outing shows a loss of several pounds. Judging by the enthusiasm displayed at the preliminary meeting in connection with the early settlers' picnic, this bi-enuiai function afe Mnton, hxed tor Wednesday, April and, promises to equal in ' importance any of its predecessors. A meeting of ladies interested is called for next Tuesday afternoon. Consequent on the Masonic Hall being otherwise engaged on Wednesday next, the date of Miss Pearl M'Flroy's invitation pianoforte recital has been altered to Tuesday, 18th iust. The members of the Milton FireBrigade hold a social this evening , to receive the delegate's (Mr Alex Eraser) report on the Fire Brigades' Association recent conference at Wan* ganui.

In connection with the Centenary Celebrations of David Livingstone's birth, the Rev. E. D. Patchett will give an address on Suuday night at the Methodist Churcn or* "Livingstone, Path-finder, and Missionary. '' Messrs D. Reid and Co,, in coll* junction with Messrs J. A. Duthie and Co., held a highly successful sale on account of Mr Win. M'Lean, at "The Downs," Clarksville, on. Tuesday. There was ah exceptionally large attendance, buyers being present from Taieri, Evans Flat, Jtialclutha, Hiilend, and all parts of Tokomairiro district. Sheep soldi well; 115) lambs at 15s, 80 four, six and eight-tooth ewes to 18s Bd, 23 wethers to lis Ud. In draught stock a four-year-old iiily sold at £ll, eight-year-old mare £4O, seven-year ditto* £<SZ 10s, live-year-old gelding £33, two-year-old colt £M, yearling filly £lB, yearling colt £l2, and two-year-old filjy £2l ; a baggy mare * realised £ll. In implements, farm drays were disposed of at £5 to £B, Massey Harris drill £2B, ditto binder £24 10s three-furrow plough £lB 10s, poller £B, seed sower £lO os. Other imple* inents and fnruittire realised, ?Bjues, / __ _ _^