POST IN LONDON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21647, 13 November 1933, Page 12

POST IN LONDON

HIGH COMMISSIONER

TERM OF SIR T. WILFORD ASKED TO CONTINUE OFFICE EXTENSION FOR ONE YEAR [lt V T K I.F.ORAPH —SPECIAL IIEPOUT EII ] WELLINGTON. Sunday Tlio Govcniiiionfc hns asked Sir Thomas Wilford to accept a further extension of ono year of his term as High Commissioner. Although Sir Thomas was anxious to retire at the end of this year, it is thought ho may agree to tlio extension in order to assist his political colleagues in New Zealand, who otherwise would be placed in a very awkward position. Tlio High Commissioner's two-year term was extended for a further year last December at the request of the New Zealand Government, but when the Prime Minister, tlio Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, was recently in London at tho World Economic Conference,, Sir Thomas indicated to him that ho would like to be relieved of the office at the end of tho year, as he was feeling tho strain of tlio strenuous life. Since the Prime Minister's return tho Government has had great difficulty in finding a successor to Sir Thomas. Jhe Hon. P. -Masters seemed the most likely candidate, both on account of the wide contacts which he made on his recent trip to London and through his familiarity with the portfolio of industries and Commerce, but apparently his business and political interests in New Zoaland were too strong a tie. It has been revealed that it is essentia! for the New Zealand High Commissioner in London to bo a man of private means. The salary of £1075 whieh he receive- from the Government is insufficient to allow him to keep pace in his official duties with tho "representatives of Canada, Australia and South Africa, all of whom are more highly' paid. The Government's principal difficulty, it is understood, lias- been to find a man with the necessary qualifications for the office and with private means. If Sir Thomas "Wilford is unable to agreo to remain in London for another year, an- interregnum in tho High Commissioner's Office seems probable, but it is generally anticipated ho wiD meet the Government's wishes if ho can possibly do so.