THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14245, 20 June 1908, Page 8

THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP.

The action of the Government in reappointing the Hon. IV. P. Reeves High Commissioner for the Dominion may not satisfy those /who have of late been dwelling upon the necessity of bringing that official and the members of his staff more closely intotouch with New Zealand, but we have little doubt that it will otherwise meet with general approval as quite tho wisest course that could have been adopted. Mr Reeves was appointed Agent-general twelve years ago,: and it has been advanced that during his long residence in London he must inevitably have lost, some of that direct personal knowledge of conditions in New Zealand which should constitute one of the most essential qualifications of an ideal representative of the interests of this country. The High Commissioner's staff has also been the subject of criticism on similar lines. It would be idle to contend that there is nothing in the argument that tho High Commissioner and his staff should have as thorough a first-hand acquaintance as possible with tho interests they represent, and thero may be a good deal of reason behind the criticisms referred to. The need for improvement, however, has probably been quito unduly magnified, while tho averred necessity for a change has not been based upon any convincing premises. It may bu readily admitted that the principle upon which thoso who urge that the time has come for the appointment of a new Commissioner base tljelr argument is excellent so far as it opposes the continuance in office of the Commissioner for long periods unbroken by a visit" to the Dominion. The longer the period, of course, the.greater tho likelihood that complaint will be justified that touch with the interests represented is not what it might and should be. Mr Ileeves, it may be allowed, has been rather long a stranger to New Zealand, but his ability and success in the discharge of the important duties of his office have not been questioned. He has done excellent service for tha Dominion as its High Commissioner, and the Government would certainly have boon short-sighted had it suddenly decided to deprive itself of his services. We have no doubt that Mrßeoves would have little difficulty in showing that the criticism that ho must have lost touch with the affairs of New Zealand has" no substantial foundation, but the point to bo observed is that the High. Commissioner ought not to be so placed that he can bo fairly thus criticised. The remedy is simple enough, and we hope that tho Government will recognise, tho advisability of giving the present High Commissioner an opportunity of revisiting the Dominion with the specific purpose of refreshing his acquaintance with the needs and sentiments of its people. It has been stated, we do not know with how much authority, that the extension of Mr Reeves's appointment is understood to be for a year oaty. Limitation pj $& tf $

has actually been provided for, may leave- the way open for the Government to effect a change twelve months hence, but, of course, need not be taken as necessarily implying at all that a change is contemplated, and we have littio doubt that, if he so desires Mr Reeves will find the Dominion only too glad to retain for a much longer term his services in a position lie has hold with so much credit, That lie should visit New Zealand on furlough l however, seems a sensible proposition, and some simple system whereby the more- responsible officers of his staff might in future he kept in closer touch with conditions in New Zealand might well receive serious consideration. An interchange of officials between tho ttign Commissioner's office and the public service of the Dominion lias been suggested, and the proposal commends itself as likely enough to produco good results if workable. The High Commissioner does not admit that his staff needs reorganising, and lays stress, no doubt with Some reason, on tho difficulty of effecting an exchange. What ho suggests himself is' that every two or three years one of the commercial officers in London should be granted leave to visit Now Zealand for a few months and move rapidly about the Dominion. Ho would no doubt agree that the. High Commissioner himself ought not to be less privileged.