THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15061, 2 August 1912, Page 9

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

SOUTHERN PRESS COMMENTS. THE BEST MAN CHOSEN. i (BT TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] CHnisTCircrtcn:, Thursday. DisctrSfflDfO the Hon. T. Mackenzie's appointment as High Commissioner, the Lyltelton Times says: "No doubt, in selecting a prominent political opponent for the decir>.l>le position within its gift, the Government was influenced to some extent by ft very nat ural desire to get rid of a troublesome critic, and to give tho reformers an opportunity to recover the seat In Parliament he won from them at the last general election, but the circumstances of ins appointment will not lessen the satisfaction that will bo felt by all classes of iho community at the prospect of the Dominion being represented in London by a gentleman of proved capacity and " high integrity."

The Press says: "The Government, in giving the appointment to the late Premier, has made a notable departure from what has been the previous practice. They have not treated the offico as a reward to bo given a party supporter. In this it must be admitted that they have shown a rare instance of self-abnegation, especially as this is tho first important appointment which has come into the Reform Government's hands, after 21 years in the wilderness. 111-natured cynics may say that they have done it to get rid of a political opponent, occupying the position of a leader. There would' ho something in this cynicism had Mr. Mackenzie been the recognised leader of a homogeneous party. Everybody who knows anything about the condition of parties, however, knows that the Opposition is absolutely disintegrated; that there aro at least three rivals striving for the leadership, and that in taking away one of tho aspirants, the Government, have simplified tho position for their opponents. In common justice, therefore, they must be given credit for having sacrificed party considerations in making tho appointment, and it is very -possible they have excited dissatisfaction among some of their supporters."

CONTINENTAL MARKETS. -MR. MACKENZIE'S INTENTIONS. [DT TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.]

CnrMSTCHURcir, Thursday. Mr. T. Mackenzie passed through Christchurch this morning. In an interview ho indicated that ono of his main undertakings as High Commissioner would be to negotiate with Continental countries with a view to securing a market for New Zealand produce, particularly meat. He thought tho prospect of obtaining a relaxation of French protection in favour of New Zealand mutton was hopeful. Germany, too, might amend her Customs tariff in, a similar direction. He intends to devote himself energetically to that work, to which ho has given .some years' close study.

"I have taken an intense interest in the development of our fruit export trade," said Mr. Mackenzie, in reply to a suggestion that good markets should bo available in London. " I see great potentialities in that branch of our production. It will enable us to utilise vast areas of country fit for no other purpose just now. The success of these orchards is contingent on the finding of markets, and I shall devote myself to the prosecution of that work. Indeed, I expect to spend a good deal of my time, in the market at Home." Questioned as to the markets which New Zealand fruit might find, Mr. Mackenzie said that England, Argentina, and also the eastern seaports of North America, after the cutting of the Panama Canal, would offer good markets. Recent shipments, ho remarked, had not been graded as well as they should have been or properly classed, but this was a detail that would bo overcome. The prospects for the frozen meat trade were very bright, a« the English returns np to the middle of June of this year showed a deficiency in the imports i of mutton and lamb of over a million carcases. Mr. Shelton, the Dominion's expert at Home, was doing good work. ■ and the prospect of having shipping facilities at the docks nearer the markets 'was a great advantage. "I have an idea," Mr. Mackenzie said, " of introducing our produce in the British markets, and probably later on on the Continent, with the aid of the cinematograph and lectures. I havo had photographs taken of our stock, of 'our dairy herds, of the excellent methods adopted in the dairy factories, and of shipping. The lectures should bo given in various centres, and tho local grocers to whom the audichcea would bo referred could have a quantity of our butter and cheese. and so on, for sale. I have no intention whatever of attempting to run chops for the disposal of our produce. Anyone familiar with Heme conditions realises that they must use > existing facilities for tho disposing of our meat." . Questioned on tho subject of the desirability of getting more suitable buildings for New Zealand Government offices in 'London, Mr. Mackenzie paid that it had been his opinion for years that wo should bo in a more central position in London, and he hoped to have the opportunity of discussing this fully with Mr. Mascey. "I hope," he said,'"that with more central offices and perhaps a little more means at the disposal of tho head office for advertising and demonstrating, that wo may be able to keep New Zealand in lino with other progressive countries."