HIGH COMMISSIONER'S STAFF

Evening Star, Issue 17924, 21 March 1922, Page 2

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S STAFF

MOSTLY NEW ZBALANDERS. Iu a tetter to the Prime Minister, tho High Commissioner (Sir James Allen) replies to complaints made in the House of Representatives last session that many of the officers on the High Commissioner's staff were not New Zealandere and had no personal knowledge of tho Dominion. Sir James Allen states that the policy of staffing the London office with New Zealanders wherever practicable is being followed in a marked degree. Twenty appointments have been made sinco Sir James Allen took charge- of tho office in August, 1920, and half of tho now officers have been New Zealanders. The higher positions, carrying tho larger salaries, are hold by colonials, tho other appointments being to subordinate positions, aa clerks, typists, and cadets. "There must be a limit in this matter, a 3 the staffing of tho office entirely with New Zealanders would not be economical, and, further, might result in unfavorable comment on the exclusion of tho Britishborn people from the servico of a colonal Government in this country," adds the High Commissioa.ir. "It also does not follow necessarily that New Zealand training is the best and most suitable for all positions in tho department, aa the knowLedge and experience gained in this country are often of a- moat valuable nature and more suitable- to the conditions here. Further, it is requisite that all members of the clerical staff should have reasonable ground, for hoping that, if thair abilities and experience warrant it, they may attain in time to one of the senior positions or other appointments closely .approximating thereto."