THE HIGH COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13609, 18 December 1909, Page 8

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE.

In deciding that immigration business should be controlled in future by the High Commissioner's staff instead of being conducted by (private shipping agents on commission, the Government have undoubtedly taken a step in the right direction. Whether misleading statements have been made by tho shipping agents, as alleged, we cannot soy, but obviously there is a danger of the Government being held 1 responsible for -unofficial statements of which it disapproves, and over which it can exercise very little supervision or control. Two or three things, however, are necessary if the now arrangement is to he -a success. In the first place the Government must decide upon some definite policy in regard to immigration, and must see that competent officers are «,ppointed to carry it out. In the second placo it is highly necessary tl}at more central offices for the High Commissioner should be secured. If

wo are to get no more immigrants except such as first succeed in finding their way to the obscure hiding, place of the High Commissioner in Victoria street, Westminster, there will be a great falling-off in th© inflow. We frankly admit that those who do succeed in'finding their way to the office aforesaid will have.given proof of powers of determination and a sense of locality which should in themselves be of no mean value in the work of colonisation. *But such amazing energy end perseverance seems rather to point thorn out as future polar oxplorers than agriculturists end other toilers in simple walks of .life. Wo are glad', at any rate, to learn from the Prime Minister's statement that the question of securing new offices for the High. Commissioner is now being considered. It is all the moro necessary, seeing, that Australia has just appointed a High Commissioner at a salary of £5000, and is evidently bent on running the office on right lines and ah extensive eoaie.