HIGH COMMISSIONER

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 70, 20 September 1939, Page 8

HIGH COMMISSIONER

A POPULAR FIGURE

A SUCCESSION PRECEDENT

(By Air Mail, from "The Post's" London Representative.)

LONDON, August 31

It is three years today since Mr. W. J. Jordan began his first term as High Commissioner for New Zealand in London. His appointment for a second successive term marks a precedent. Although Sir James Parr was High Commissioner for over six years, Sir Thomas Wilford held the appointment between the first and second periods. It is no exaggeration to say that both Mr. and Mrs. Jordan are extremely j popular in London, not only among New Zealanders but also in official] circles. Mr. Jordan's reappointment j has been greeted with a chorus of congratulation from his New Zealand and English friends. Much history has been written since Mr. Jordan first took his seat at the kauri desk on the first floor in New Zealand House. The abdication of King Edward VIII, the Coronation, when he carried.the New Zealand banner in Westminster Abbey, the Im- j perial Conference, and two European j crises have been packed into the last! three years. At Geneva, Mr. Jordan's term has i coincided with New Zealand's member- j ship of the Council of the League of Nations. At Brussels in 1937 the High Commissioner represented the Dominion at the Nine-Power Conference, and j on that occasion he broadcast to the \ United States. THE LEAGUE'S CONFERENCE. j Mr. Jordan won for himself at Geneva a reputation for plain and candid speaking. On one occasion, a fellow-; member of the Council was heard toj declare that the New Zealand High I Commissioner expressed the conscience of the League. In Geneva, as well as British diplomatic circles, regret is felt that Mr. Jordan will not speak at the Council table during the. League session in September, for, in rotation, New Zealand has retired from the Council. Her place is being filled by South Africa. ' Just as Mr. Jordan has spoken his mind to the Council, he has also found the appropriate thing to say to his many audiences in Britain, for he has travelled widely and spoken a great deal outside London. No Government could have a more sincere apostle; at the same time he has also won a reputation for his humour during afterdinner speeches and informal gatherings. DAYS FULLY OCCUPIED. Despite all his activities, Mr. Jordan has frequently been heard to say that he is "never busy." His explanation of this is the efficient staff at New Zealand House and also that those at the head of the various New Zealand organisations with whom he is frequently associated co-operate so readily that his duties are made lighter and interesting. At the same time all his days are fully occupied, especially during the summer months when there is a constant stream of New Zealand visitors. Hundreds seek interviews with him every week to discuss business, foreign travel, contacts, and, during the past few months, difficulties arising from the Government's financial measures.' In spitfe of all his many duties, Mr. Jordan never fails to visit his, 87-year-old mother regularly. She iives in North London, and except when he has been in Geneva, the High Commissioner has never missed a weekly visit. ONE OR TWO THORNS. Despite his undoubted success, it must be admitted that Mr. Jordan has not always found his position to be a bed of roses. Some of the thorns have been the fact that he represents a Labour Government, but on the whole these have been rare. However, the High Commissioner has always been equal to the occasion. The story is frequently recounted with relish of how, when1 he was dining at a rather select club, Mr. Jordan found himself the centre of animated conversation. Everybody, it appeared, was interested in New Zealand. Unfortunately, the even tenor of the evening was marred when the inquiry was made: "And what are the politics of your Government, Mr. Jordan?" "Labour," the High Commissioner replied briefly. "But surely you' are not a Socialist yourself?" same the anxious inquiry. "Oh, yes, I am," Mr. Jordan replied. i Somehow the conversation seemed to lag after this interlude. The people an the left and right of the High Commissioner found other topics with other guests. Mr. Jordan was left to proceed with his meal in silence. Eventually, it began to draw to a close. A waiter inquired of Mr. Jordan: "Will you take an ice, sir?" "I rather think that I have already had one," replied Mr. Jordan. No less popular than the High Commissioner is Mrs. Jordan, whose unassuming pleasure in all her activities has been widely commended. Much concern was caused earlier this year when she became severely ill and was obliged to undergo a serious operation. She has, however, made an excellent recovery and is in better health than she has been for years.