HIGH COMMISSIONER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15900, 24 April 1915, Page 6

HIGH COMMISSIONER.

NEW STRAND BUILDING. TERM OF MB. MACKENZIE'S OFFICE[FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] London, March 16. In the course of an interview with the High Commissioner to-day a representative of the Herald ascertained that, although there is to be no royal ceremony at the laying of the foundation stone of tho New Zealand offices in the Strand, yet the new building will not be without its royal recognition. The most troublesome work, namely, the foundations of tho offices, are completed and a considerable portion of the first Etorey also.

In explaining the situation, .Mr. Mackenzie said :—" So long as the war continues the King thinks ho should not perform such ceremonies, but later on His .Majesty says ho will be pleased to place a memorial tablet in tha building. I deferred at once to this Royal wish, and His Majesty afterwards expressed his pleasure that I so readily agreed to his suggestion. I was asked by the King to explain to the people of New Zealand the reason for this change from what had previously been arranged.

"We expect the building to be finished about August or September if things proceed satisfactorily. If the war is over, which we hope it may be, His Majesty will then honour New Zealand by performing this royal ceremony.

" I may .ay I have studied very closely the conditions of New Zealand's produce,' continued Mr. Mackenzie, " I have seen some of the drawbacks from which it suffers and how conditions may be improved. Also I have been watching the possibilities of, and extending,' markets, which work, owing to the war, has been somewhat interrupted. There will also be on the Continent opportunities when the war is over of doing permanent good in securing outlets hitherto closed against us and even of displacing produce in the Home Country now supplied by foreigners." Do you expect to be here to carry out your ideas?" the High Commissioner was asked.

" There should be no difficulty about that," he replied, " as my work, I know, is meeting with approval, and I am willing to continue. Indeed, I might go further and say that owing to the keen interest I have taken in the work I have initiated, it is my desire to see it brought to a successful issue."