THE NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3591, 2 August 1912, Page 5

THE NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER.

HON. T. MACKENZIE INTERVIEWED AT CHRISTCHURCH. HIS INTENTIONS OUTLINED.

TO LEAVE NEW ZEALAND IN ABOUT THREE WEEKS.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

CHRISTCHURCH

Aug. 1

The newly-appointed High Commissioner. Hon. T. Mackenzie, arrived from Wellington this morning, and left for Ilalclutha bv the first express. In an interview, lie said it would be quite a fortnight before ho would resign his seat in the House, as lie had a .local Bill in hand and several other matters.

He would be leaving for London in about a fortnight or three weeks’ time.

At present lie was going down to Clutha, and ho would be back probably on Tuesday. He expected to go north and then come down again. Air. Alackenzie said he .wanted to get into touch with some of the Chambers of Commerce and other representative bodies regarding Home work, and to bear any suggestions thev might have to offer.

“What are your intentions in regard to extending New Zealand trade and produce facilities?” queried the reporter. In replying the new High Commissioner stated that it would take some time to fret a grasp of things at Home. He, of course, had been watching from this end the changing conditions, and realising that the time had arrived when it should be possible for meatproducing countries at any rate to obtain some access to European markets. Some vears ago Canada, had arranged for reciprocal trade with France, and it was apparent that countries like Germany and Austria- would soon require to supplement their own supplies from outside. “The country,” said Air. Alackenzie, “that first succeeds in arranging for the admission of its produce will obtain a very great advantage. Of course we will have to offer something in return, and it is for our Government here to consider how best to deal with that phase of tho situation. Already I have pointed out that Germany has nearly consumed her entire slioep flocks bv one-half, and as meat-eaters on the Continent are not diminishing in number, it follows that supplies must be obtained from abroad. ’ “Fruit will have special attention from me in the Old Country,” replied Air. Alackenzie to a further query. “I think it lias been demonstrated that we land fruit in excellent condition, and equal, if not superior in qualitv to that of any other country, and that- will mean a very great den.) to us here. It will bring into use a '■n-eat area of very poor land, and it the fruit obtained is a success it will offer profitable employment in the country for many who .desire to live out of 'the towns, and yet the work w not heavy—even our women-tolk niight take it up along with bee-farm-ing* with advantage.”