ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9299, 27 December 1895, Page 6

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

-e_ (FBOJf OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, November 13. Everyone intelligently interested in the future of the colonies was sorry to read the remarke of the New Zealand Premier about the Colonial Agency-General in London being a "trivial" affair of no great importance, and to ccc hie hint that the appointment of Agent-General might be held without pay—impliedly as a mere political honour in reward to some wealthy supporter. I hope no such mischievous scheme as this will be adopted. Its effect would be deplorable. It is of the highest importance that New Zealand should be creditably and ably represented in the Imperial Seat of Government and In the world's metropolis. lam certain that if Mr Ward learned anything while he was in London he must have learned that. It is unfortunate that so few colonial Ministers know London or ever have been there. Many of the groae blunders which have been made from time to time in New Zealand might have been avoided had Ministers possessed a fuller knowledge of the larger world. But aa all Ministers and oolonial statesmen cannot or will not visit the Mother Country it is at least urgent tb\t they should have a competent representative in London who will, as far as possible, keep them in touch with the world's centre, and who will act for the colony at headquarters in cue of need. The services of an unpaid Agent-General would probably be worth just what they cost. To minimise or reduce the influence and efficiency of the New Zealand Agency-General in London would be a grave blunder and a costly one. The telegraphic report in The Times to-day that Mr W. P. Reeves is to succeed Sir Westby Perceval as Agent-General has excited a good deal of comment. The opinion is generally expressed that the New Zealand Government are very unwise not to secure a continuance of the valuable services admittedly rendered to the colony by Sir Westby Perceval, provided this were feasible. 1 believe, however, that Sir Westby would not have been at all disposed to accept another re-appointment on the terms of the last one, but that unless the appointment had been offered him for a term of years in the usual.way he would have-declined to do more than hold office for a reasonable time until, his successor should be appointed. But understand that I have no authority for Baying this. It i» a mere expression of my own opinion. Still I think it is not far off the mark. Mr Reeves is, of course, unknown here as yet, , but if he plays his cards well and exercises tact .and judgment he will not lack the friendly co-operation and countenance which the Agents-General have always enjoyed in London. But he will have no sinecure in the task of. carrying out the rearrangement with reference to the conduct of the Government loan and stock business—the transfer, that is to say, from the Bank of England to the Bans of New Zealand. This ie in itself a large order, and an Agent-General must be thoroughly au fait, elee he sinks into permanent dis-esteem in London financial circles. About forty applications have been received for the vacant post in Canterbury College. They are now nndergoing the process of sifting. Mr T. M. Jackson and Mr Arthur Appleby will be among the chief vocalists at the Australasian Club'a coming concert. Madame Amy Sherwin will probably also sing. The Rev. Leonard M. laitt has been staying at Clapham with his sister, Mre Dickeo, who by the way is a very accomplished mnsician and charming pianiste. He leaves to-night on another tour, or rather Temperance crusade, in the provinces. He appears in the best of health and spirits, and as fiercely combative as ever.