THE PARTY SPIRIT

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1924, Page 6

THE PARTY SPIRIT

The charges made by Labour [members against Sir James Allen of displaying party bias will carry little weight with people who know the High Commissioner. He was a party man in New Zealand, but he. was never petty in party, and those who knew his record could be certain that he would put aside all ideas of party when he went to London as the representative of New Zealand. But a High Commissioner would be of little service to this country if he were content to be a mere figure-head. As the chief representative of New Zealand in London it is certainly part of Sir James Allen's duty to guard the good name of the country. If he sees or hears statements- which he believes misrepresent conditions in New Zealand he should correct them. It may be said: "Why not leave this to the political head of the Government?" But if this were done it would be six weeks at least and possibly three months before the other side of the case could be stated. In the meantime all the damage would be done.

It is necessary that someone should watch New Zealand's interests in this way, for not all the people whose comments appear in Britain are capable of seeing things in the light in which they will be viewed by the people in" Britain. For example, when we speak of "severe unemployment" in New Zealand we understand something- much different from what the term conveys to the average Englishman. Hardship, slums, luxuries, and many other terms must also be used with great care if a wrong impression is not to be created. A political speech abounding in these terms will not be more than fair comment in New Zealand, where the people know what is meant and accept it or reject it as they choose. But a similar speech made to an English audience could certainly be condemned as misrepresentation. The High Commissioner knows hotv statements are viewed in England. Some of his critics do not. He is ; we are convinced, anxious to do no more than state the position fairly. If the Labour members wish to assist him in doing this, they may do so by supporting the proposal that his staff should from time to time be reinforced by wellqualified Civil servants from New Zealand—men fully informed of the latest developments in this country and able to keep the London office up to date.