PARLIAMENT ENTERTAINED

Grey River Argus, 24 August 1912, Page 6

PARLIAMENT ENTERTAINED

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER'S FAREWELL. XPer Press Association; I WELLINGTON, Aug 23, Prior to his departure for London to assume the duties of High Commissioner for New. Zealand Hon. T. Mackenzie entertained the members of the House of Representatives to-day at Bellamy's There was a lairge attendance. , Replying to the toast pf his health, proposed by Sir Arthur Guinness, Mr Mackenzie said he felt that New Zea-' land should be represented in a manner ■ somewhat ■ approximating Australia ; and Canada. He believed it was possible to do a little more in the Old Country than had: been done in the past. . Conditions: were altering and New Zealand required' to be on the alert and to keep abreast of the times. Referring . to Mr Mackenzie when proposing the toast of "Mr Speaker" the F'rime Minister' said that one of the most important duties devolving upon the High Commissioner was to induce the proper class of people to come to New Zealand. We wanted a population of the right stamp. We did not want wasters. The High Commissioners office needed reorganisation. . >New Zealand had never yet had the value of the money expended. There was plenty of scope at Home for Mr Mackenzie's energy and ability. .-•■,. : Sir Joseph Ward .proposed the health of the Prime Minister Mr. Massey replying. The toast of .Sir Joseph Ward proposed by Mr. Mackenzie,, in reply Sir Joseph pointed that last year Canada spent . £6oo,ooo and Australia £400,000 on their High .Commissioner's Departments, Canada having spent £150,000 in advertising alone. That was why those, countries were attracting such attention. He was quite sure all the agents general and High Commisiohers had done their best but we had not had enormous sums to spend. He advocated a change of site for the High Commissioner's offices in London.