NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14386, 2 December 1908, Page 5

NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER

ENTERTAINED AT WELLINGTON, (Pur United Press Association,) WELLINGTON, December 1. The new High Commissioner (the Hon. W. Hall-Jones) was entertained at luncheon to-day, among thoso present being- the Prime Minister, the Mayor, Messrs J. A. Millar and J. M'Gowan, members of Parliament and representative bodies. Mr H. C. Tewsley, of the Chamber of Commerce, presided. The Chairman said he hoped the Prime Minister would give the new High Commissioner all the backing up he required, particularly in the immigration and advertising departments. The position should be made more a commercial than a literary one. He also suggested that the Hon. J. A. Millar would make a good Minister of Railways. \ The Prime Minister, however, refused to bo drawn, and merely intimated that the selection would he made in a few weeks. The Mayor, the Hon. T. K. M'Donald, and Messrs Harkness and Duthie were the ] other speakers, all of whom spoke in com-) plimcntaiy terms of the Hon. W. HallJones. The latter was received with a warm welcome on rising to reply. He thanked the previous speakers for the tributes to him. He went back to the old days when, he first faced the electors. Turning to the duties which awaited him,'; he hinted at measures which could be taken to impress the values of all New Zealand's produce upon the people of Great Britain. There was ordinarily no sentiment in business, but there should be sentiment which should touch the people of the Empire and move them to reciprocate -in matters of business for their mutual advantage. If commonsense were brought to bear on all the problems which occurred in life, success would be assured. Referring to the London office, he mentioned that he would like to see an exhibit of the country products in connection with the establishment. He believed such a display ( would be seen by hundreds and thousands of people in the course of the year. With the opportunity of exhibiting our products in all parts of the Old Country he thought a demand for them would be created which would result iu competition. The competition would result in an increased price to the producer,, but it meant money, and he hoped there would be no prping over an expenditure which wild increase our output a hundredfold.—(Applause.) It was pleasing to him to feel that he carried the good wishes of so many people in NewZealand. His whole energies would be devoted to trying to fulfil their expectations, and trying to do his best for New Zealand. He hoped, at any rate, to end his days in New Zealand, and to see our present prosperity continued and extended, and be saw.no reason why it should not be. His first duty would be to New Zear land, and in doing that he believed he would be doing his best work for the Empire as a whole.—(Loud applause.) There was 'a large crowd at the Town Hall to-night, when a public gathering was held to bid Mr: flail-Jones farewell. Speeches were delivered bv the-Mayor, the Prime Minister, and the HigTi Commissioner.