SIR JAMES PARR.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1926, Page 4

SIR JAMES PARR.

HIS NEW OFFICE. Although Sir .lames Barr is an Aucklander. his annoiiitmenf as High Commissioner has not received what is called " a good Press.” Roth Auckland dailies are cold and critical. The " Herald ” says this morning: •'ln the selection there has been fol-

lowed the precedent of appointing a .Minister of the Crown, the appointment thus taking on the nature nl" a reward for faithlul discharge of Ministerial duty. Since the Government has scon lit to maintain this tradition. Sir James Ban’s claims to consideration cannot well he gainsaid, never-, theless it is to he regretted that the Government’s choice did not fall on

someone nnn.- obviously qualified lo d's: I large the iniißffariuiis duties -of the office. 11 involves high diplomatic rapacity, marked eoiiimereial ability.

extensive organising experience and particularly experl acquaintance with finance. Without in anv wav n Heeling on Sir Janv.'s Barr's qualifications for the port folios lie has held in file Cakim-I. it may he said that he will probably liiid the duties of the High Coni in issionersliip ext reincly exact in g." The Star ” says to-night :“ To say

that the new High Commissioner does not inspire enthusiasm is not to say that he will net till H-<- position creditably. Sir James Barr is not a popular figure, hut he is an able man who has served flic public lor many years in several capacities. Capable and energetic. and a fair speaker, lie has .several qualities wliii h should make for siti'ee~s in London wln-i". however, ii

I u.'i-l be remembered a Dominion representative is judged by standards far j higher than these applied to public life i 'a bis own land. Sir .fames Parr lias j shortcomings which make one doiiblful t ahem tbe completeness of that success. I bet taking everything into eon.-idcra-l lion, where iii the Cabinet or outside is ; there a man with equipment better I "r even as good? We regard Sir James as tailing considerably short of being an ideal candidate, but other available public men have their defects, and we are not sure that the Covermnenl lias not made the best choice from material that cannot by any stretch of Haltery he called brilliant. Resides, Sir James is a Minister of some years’ service, and the High Commissionership is by custom regarded ns a political iilum.”