THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1936 A NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22476, 21 July 1936, Page 8

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1936 A NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER

Leaving to-day for London, where the duties of High Commissioner await him, Mr. Jordan takes with him the heartiest of good wishes of all New Zealand. Appointment to this responsible office has made him, in a more real sense than before, a representative of the people—the whole people. He steps out of party politics. Even if, by reason of a necessary lapse of time before he can assume the office, he has to be deemed absent on leave from parliamentary service—a matter for Parliament's decision —he goes at once to a wider sphere in which his thought of the Dominion, and its thought of him, are lifted above the level of controversy. To be chosen as the next High Commissioner is a unique honour. The status of the office has been definitely raised by more than its change of name from that of Agent-General. Circumstances beyond the control of the country he is to represent—they are in the outer world to which he goes —have made it an office of enlarged responsibility. While the duties of the earlier day remain, there are now added cares as well as dignities to bet borne that make more exacting demands. He is to be cordially congratulated on his selection for the position of trust and can rejoice in the assurance, well expressed in Auckland's civic farewell yesterday, that New Zealand is confident of the ability and devotion with which he will address himself to the tasks ahead. He has been a good citizen, a diligent representative of his electorate, a faithful servant of his party, an esteemed member of the House, and well merits the distinction conferred upon him. He has gifts of mind and character that promise well for the future now beckoning him. To him and his, as they set out for what is to him and to so many other New Zealanders their Homeland, are extended sincere goodwill and hopes of happy days. The enlarging responsibilities of his office have taken it into intimate touch with international affairs. The first Agent-General could look upon London, at the utmost the British Isles, as the location of his service to New Zealand; the new High Commissioner must lend a hand in the business of many nations, a busineiss that itself may increase in scope and complexity. As occasion offers, he will be expected to perform liaison duty for the Dominion amid the many shared activities that bind together the component selfgoverning units of the great British Commonwealth, and to play a part among others in the work of the League of Nations. It is thought that the latter task may involve his participation in the work of the Leagues Council, which more frequently than the Assembly and with greater calls on powers of statesmanship has to deal promptly with critical issues. In the ordinary course of events, New Zealand anticipates election in September, at the annual meeting of the Assembly, to one of the non-permanent seats of the Council. A little while ago there was a virtual certainty of this election in succession to Australia; but the present situation in Europe, unstable to a high degree, may diminish the readiness to grant the British Empire, already in possession of a permanent seat, a second among the ruling 14 composing the Council. There is always a keen contest for the non-permanent seats as they become vacant, and signs of the formation of blocs within the League have recently appeared. However, even if this development should tell fatally against the chances of New Zealand's election—through a revival of former objections to plural voting by the Empire—there will still be for Mr. Jordan work in the Assembly, no mean opportunity of service.

It is well that assistance is to be given him by Sir Cecil Day, who is particularly well qualified to give counsel in the initial stages of Mr. Jordan's acquaintance with this work. Sir Cecil, by virtue of his long and expert experience of affairs of State in this country, and because of his possession of outstanding qualities fitting him personally for the duty, should prove a tower of strength to New Zealand's new official representative at Geneva. The Council has often to deal with crises of sudden arising, and the Assembly's session is usually crowded with a multiplicity of interests calling for attention within a few days. Hence at the outset of his contact with international questions in practical form Mr. Jordan may require the aid with which the Government has wisely made arrangements to provide him. But he can be trusted to adapt himself quickly to the task that attendance at Geneva will mean, for the work of some committees as well as for duties more public. The Prime Minister has rightly laid emphasis on the importance of this phase of the work Mr. Jordan is to take up. In these troubled times it is pre-eminently important. Yet, to all that has to be done, the new "ambassador" sent to London and the wider world by this Dominion will take a worthy equipment. Recognition of this reinforces every wish of godspeed.