MR. W. P. REEVES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 298, 10 September 1908, Page 4

MR. W. P. REEVES.

AN INTERVIEW. ■The London "Daily News" prints an interview with Mr. W. I'. Reeves regarding his acceptance,of tho position of Director or tho London School of Economics. Mr. Reeves said ho expected to carry.. on tho duties of High Commissioner more or less until the end of tho year. "I accepted tho post of Director of the London School of Economics because I am very much interested in it," ho said.. "It is not only an important institution now, but I hope it will become very much more so. I have been in my. prescnt_ position for twelve years—a very unusual time for a Colonial representative to hold office here — and I am sorry, of course, to quit tho New Zealand service. Thero are great difficulties in tho way of an ordinary representative of one of tho great colonies retaining office and .at tho same time making a career in Parliament, or anywhere elso in the public lifo of this country. I resign my position on the most friendly terms with my Government, and, in fact, I have received a cable mcssago from the Prime Minister of New Zealand congratulating mo on my new appointment." "I.am not entering upon a sort of restful retirement," continued Air. Reeves. "It will mean hard work. There is always tho cry that wo want efficiency, and it is to.institutions like the School of Economics that, we must look for it. I hope to get in touch with similar colonial institutions throughout the Empire." The " News " says it is generally thought that Mr. W. Hall-Jones will succeed Mr. Reeves in the High Commissioncrship. In editorial comment tho " News" re-, marks that " hearty congratulations • should be offered both to Mr. Reeves on his new position and to tho School of Economics on Mr. Reeves. Political Economy is no' longer ,'! purely, abstract scienco, tho product of theorists who could sit all day long in'their studies and elaborate fine-spun doctrines on filial utility and demand pricc, on tho balance of trade and the marginal cost of production. Tho successful economist to-day must have a practical acquaintance with tho details of trade and commerce. Ho must bo familiar with tho ' working of social institutions in different classes and different countries. In Mr. Reeves the London School of Efconomics has found such a man. Ho is, of course, the author of one of tho standard books on the social legislation of Australasia, and has besides an intense and Wide-reaching interest in economic questions generally. A great opportunity awaits him at the London School of Economics;"