HIGH COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3197, 22 September 1917, Page 9

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE

BECOMING "ANGLICISED" DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE A brief discussion occurred on the Estimates in Committees of the House yesterday afternoon regarding tho Ifigh Commissioner's Office. Mr. C. J. Parr said that ho had seen something of tho office recently, and he regretted to' say that things wero not satisfactory there. The staff seemed to have become "Anglicised." There were too many elderly gentlemen who had been there too long. Most of them were not New Zealanders at all, and ono amiable old gentleman who was a New Zcalauder 'admitted to him that he hail noti\isHed New Zealand for 30 years. Ho thought an opportunity should.be given to-pro-mising young Now Zealand officers cf tho I'ublio 'Service to go Homo to the High Commissioner's Office for a time. In this way a constant stream of communication could be kept up between this Dountry, and tho Homeland. Ho could assure tho Minister that New Zealandors in London were not satisfied with tho management of tho High Commissioner's Office. There was room for a great deal of improvement. The Hon. D. Bnddo said ho wished to join hands with Mr. Pan- in this ir-ni-ter. If wo could afford to pay a substantial ecale of salaries to our Civil Servants in this country we could afford to pay it to tho men in the High Commissioner's Oflico. Mr. Buddo admitted that tlio work at Homo was done well and visitors wero courteously treated by tho man at the counter, but inoro satisfactory work would bo done if the man at tho counter wewj a New Zealfliider or trained in New Zealand. Sir: P. C. Webb criticised the appointment to the office of High Commissioner of what he tormed "political rejects. The Chairman ruled Hint any reference to tho High Commissioner was cut of order, as it was only his office tlint appeared on the Estimates. Dr. Thacker considered' wounded soldiers should bo given preference for positions on the Higli Commissioner's elaff. Mr. E. Newman claimed that lio one had done better work than the present High Commissioner. Whether it cost more or not it would bo enormously to the benefit of New Zealand to removo to new offices in tho Strand. Mr. C. H. Poole said ho had been greatly impressed with the ivork of Air. Dcnno in t'he High Commissioner's Office. He urged the Minister to give properly equipped young New Zealanders opportunity for entering tho office, no urged effective advertising of New Zealand in Britain, America, ".nd other countries after the war. Dr. Thacker suggested that the Minister inform the public of the code word by which cablo messages could be addressed to the High Commissioner's Office. Hβ considered that if this were ■known, and cabled remittances of money to soldiers sent through tho High Commissioner's Office, the remittances wr.uld reach tho right persons, and many fathers and mothers would save themselves being robbed. Tho Hon. G. W.' Russell approved tho last speaker's second proposal, but suggested that it should bo addressed to the Minister of Defence. Any cablegram addressed to "Deputy," London, would go direct to tho High Commissioner's Office. He approved the suggestion that preference should bo givon to New Zealandors to fill vacancies on the High Commissioner's staff, .and stated that the High Commissioner would bo advised accordingly. The staff were now in larger premises, which meant.increased cost in administration. Rooms wero provided for the convenience of New Zealand soldiers, and he approved additional rooms being provided for this purpose, and so make the High Commissioner's office the headquarters of New Zealand soldiers in London. He agreed that there should be a gradual chango of, staff, not enough to cause dislocation, but to comprise sufficient men who were in close touch with New Zealand. When a new High Commissioner was appointed he should be so instructed. A member: What about you going? (Laughter.) Mr. Russell looked round at the Prime Minister, who was smiling. Another member: He could not stand n. "II would be a good appointment," was a further remark. Mr. Kussell thanked members for their i expressions of esteem. "When the war is over," he said, "and I have finished my work.for sick, and wounded soldiers in New Zealand, if a suggestion of that sort ts made to uie it will receive my careful consideration." (Laughter.) Whatever opinions might exist regardIng Sir Thomas Mackenzie, all must admit, said the Minister, ihat during the period of the war ho had been a hardworking officer and had performed excellent service. , ■ ■ Mr. Hornsby: He has done grand work for the soldiers. Dr. Thacker: And his daughter has 100. Mr. R. M'Callum suggested to the GoverDment that an assistant High Commissioner should be sent to London who would fill the higher position when it was vacated. He would go from New Zealand .with a thorough knowledge if affairs and possibly effect reforms. for Children's Hacking Cough, Wood's Great Peppermint Cure.*