THE HIGH COMMISSIONER

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 28, 1 August 1912, Page 6

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER

Men of all tones and half-tones of politics wsl agree in congratulating the Premier on putting New Zealand's welfare before party advantage in the appointment of the Hon. T. Mackenzie as High Commissioner. A discordant note may b© Bounded in the House of Representatives presently, because aome opponents of the Government are likely to lay a charge of selfishness against the retiring member for Egmont. We referred to this petty party viewpoint not long ago, and confidently gave an opinion that New Zealand would not be keenly interested in any lamentation or accusation in this matter from Mr. Mackenzie's side of <bhe House. The desire of the public is to have the services of the man best qualified to do good solid work for the whole country, and if it happens {hat the choice of such a man gives umbrage to one or another group in, or out of Parliament, the people are not sorely distressed. Weary of «the eternal '' personalities " of politicians, thus country 5b- eager to see the right work done by a right man in a right place. For the High Commissionership Air. Mackenzie lias the' people's confidence and the people's goodwill. "We have already explained that his experience in the departments of agriculture and commerce and the general field of politics, his energy, and his determination to succeed, give him full warrant for a term of ithrce years in London, where he will liave ample scope to exercise all his faculties to the utmost. One of his first tasks, in co-operation with a willing Government, will be to leorganisc the office and bring the stall prominently into the "lighting lino" at London, where the etre& of competition

increases from year to year. Answering a question yesterday, the Premier said: " The Government expects that with tho reorganisation of the High Commissioner's Department more will be done to bring the right class of immigrant to New Zealand than lias been the case in past years." In an. answer to another query, Mr. Massey remarked: "The question of immigration will receive the very careful consideration of the Governmertt, which up to the present time has not permitted. Reference will be made to this subject in the Financial Statement" (promised for next Tuesday). The High Commiaskmer'a Office is sure to figure conspicuously in tho subsequent debate, and we anticipate that the Government, after all the reminders in The Poet and other journals, will be ready with a case for reform. It would be helpful' if the Government can furnish a. comparative statement about the various colonial Londou agencies, in the matter of staffing and general expenditure, and the lines of policy practised in London. There has not been much time for tho Government to get any huge store of information during its few weeks in office, but the party that is now dominant had some years in Opposition, with opportunities to fortify itself for an overhaul of the London office The late Opposition criticism in recent years .naturally gives the public good reason to expect some reconstructive proposals now.