Britain’s High Commissioner In N.Z.

Northern Advocate, 29 July 1938, Page 3

Britain’s High Commissioner In N.Z.

[Special to “Northe'.'n. Advocate.”] WELLINGTON, This Day. “The object of the appointment is to make comraunciations between the various Governments of the Empire more simple.” said the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, when referring in an. interview yesterday evening to the cabled announcement that Sir Harry Batterbee would take up a post as High Commissioner for Britain in New Zealand at the end of the year. •‘New’ Zealand will now be on the same footing in relation to Great Britain as Canada, Australia and South Africa.” Mr Savage said the duties of the High Commissioner would be similar to those of a Dominion High Commissioner in London, and would embrace matters of both a diplomatic and commercial character. Naturally, Sir Harry Batterbee would be well acquainted with the attitude of the British Government in any issues that were likely to arise, but, in the consideration of any particular knotty problem, he would bo able to confer on the spot with the New Zealand Government. ‘•The appointment is the result of a proposal by the British Government.’’ the Prime Minister said, “and we are just agreeing to that proposal. Nevertheless, we welcome the appointment and it should be an advantage to have a representative of the British Government direct in New Zealand.” Mr Savage added that, although commercial questions would come within the scope of Sir Harry Batterbee’s duties, he did not think the work of His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, Mr R. Boulter would in any way be affected. So far as he knew, the appointment of a High Commissioner would not mean that the post of Trade Commissioner would be abolished.