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Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, 1 August 1912, Page 4

As was forecasted by our Pari i a men-

Tho New High CommissSonar.

tary correspondent some days ago ine important po-

sitiou of High Commissioner for the Dominion has been offered to, and has boon accepted by, Hon. Thos. Mae- ! konzie, who was the head of the shortlived Ministry which has just been succeeded by the Massey Government.. In this connection no surprise neeu, we feel, he felt on account of the circumstances that the new Ministry has departed from the general practice of not going outside the ranks of supporters in resj>ect of appointments which devolve upon the Government of tlie day. "When it was decided to offer the position to Mr Mackenzie what must have guided the Massey Government would not he the fact, as may he suggested in some quarters, that it would be a party advantage, but that it was necessary to select for such a post the most highly qualified gentleman available. For our own part we have stated over and over again during the past few months that wo felt sure that if INIr Mackenzie ! were appointed to the office he would unquestionably prove “the right man m the right place.” To the late Prime Minister, we can then, with due appreciation of his eminent suitableness for the position, extend our hearty congratulations upon the great honor that has just been conferred upon him. As regards the position which Mr Mackenzie has agreed to fill it will, we think, he generally adm.itj ted that never before was there such need that it should be occupied by ‘'a ! strong man.” This aspect of flic mat- ; tor is. too, clearly recognised by the J new High Commissioner, for in reply to the general congratulations which I were tendered him in the House of Re- j presontatives'yesterday he mentioned, j inter alia, that he felt that the time \ had arrived when increased efforts j should be made to open up fresh mar- | ket-s for the products of this country, j "What was also of very great import- I ante is that whoever was appointed to the position should, like Mr Mackenzie, be possessed of ripe experience in financial as well as in business matters. It is, we think, not necessary to recapitulate tlio new High Commissioner’s political career, for it has been repeated so often lately that it must be quite well-known. In his new capacity be will find that the experience which he gained during previous visits to the Homeland will stand him in great stead. Some 23 years ago, it may die recalled, he was appointed a Government Commissioner to inquire into the conditions of the produce trade with England. Again, from 1896 till 1899, he was at Home representing several Colonial mercantile firms. "What has so far been omitted is fur- j ther the circumstance that Mr Mackenzie has a special all-round knowledge of agricultural affairs. In this regard his valuable services in the capacity of Minister for Agriculture will long be remembered. Apart altogether from tlio qualifications to which we have referred, a striking personality, high social qualities, and tUe fact that he is a. good speaker all go to show that in appointing the ex-Prime Minister to the position of High Commissioner the Massey Government has made a very wise selection. Under the circumstances widespread congratulations may be expected to be showered on the Government of the day and on Mr Mackenzie alike.