London Post Soon Vacant

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31641, 29 March 1968, Page 20

London Post Soon Vacant

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, March 28.

When Sir Thomas Macdonald relinquishes his post shortly as High Commissioner for New Zealand in London, the present Deputy High Commissioner (Mr H. Wade) will become Acting High Commissioner for an indefinite period.

It is believed that the problem of whether he will be given full status, or whether someone else will be sent to

replace Sir Thomas Macdonald, has not yet been solved. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) is the only one who can decide whether a professional diplomat will take the position, or whether it will be awarded to a political appointee. The name most prominent in the political field at present is that of Mr E. H. Halstead, a public ■ accountant and company director, of Remuera, who was a member of the Cabinet until he lost his Parliamentary seat in 1957.

Mr Halstead served as Minister of Industries and Commerce, Minister of Social Security, Minister in Charge of Tourist Resorts, and Minister assisting the Prime Minister.

He is one of the few surviving members of the Holland

Ministry not still serving with the Government who has not been rewarded with some form of patronage. He has remained closely identified with National Party affairs.

If he is not named for London, Mr Halstead may succeed Sir Leon Gotz, whose term as High Commissioner for Canada expires shortly. Sir Leon Gotz is 75, and it is believed that his term will not be extended.

There is still a strong possibility that the London post will go to a professional diplomat senior in status to Mr Wade. It will not go to a serving politician as Mr Holyoake has indicated that he does not want to incur another byelection at this i.age.