THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15540, 23 August 1912, Page 5

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

FAREWELL 11Y PRESSMEN.

AN INTERESTING REPLY.

(Fnoii Ooa Own Corbespondext.)

WELLINGTON, August 22. The Prime Minister, presiding in Council today, signed Uiu warrant for tho lion. Tlios. Mackenzie's appointment us High Commissioner of New Zealand. Mr Mackenzie, together with his wife, Mi.n Mary .Mackenzie, and one of his sous, will'leave for England in tho Kaikoura tomorrow. Mi as Mackenzie, who has been suffering from an attack of pleurisy, is now convalescent., but her medical advisers ro'jommcwl that she sliiuld wait for a few months before leaving for London.

Congratulations and good wishes were extended to the new High Commissioner at a gathering of the Parliamentary Press Gallery this evening. An interesting speech was made by Mr Mackenzie in his reply. Tho pleasure with which the pressmen regarded -Mr Mackenzie's appointment and their good wishes to him in his important oflico .wore expressed by the chairman of thu gallery. Appreciative remarks regarding their happy relations with him and of the kindly manner in which lie has always treated the journalistic profession wero made by Mr .1. 0. Browne (vice-chairman of the gnllery), Mi F. K. Iteews, and Mr Maleolm Ross, three veteran members of the gallery.

" I H'ii» nul awiiro Hint. I was thought anything of bv tin- members of the gallery," said .Mr Mackenzie when his health bud liron cordially twisted. " I have always found them a body of gentlemen. I have had a good many confidences wit'i tile members of the gallery, and T have Mover given a confidence that lias not been observed, So long as von keep the standard of men in your gallery that yon have now the public and public men may never have any anxiety or concorn." Mr .Mackenzie said he knew that heavy responsibility attached to the position to which he was going, but lie. would not leave n stone unturned to do his utmost for New Zealand. He was going Homo at a very peculiar period in her history as a (.reducing country, and a very important period in the history of tho Continent. In regard to food production every country must be alert and abreast of the times if it would .secure a footing in the markets that would inevitably be opened in a very f'hort lime. Ho believed bo would bo backed up by the Government. He was going to make certain proposals, which he was Giire would be considered. The foundations must lie well and broadly laid, and New Zealand must approximate to what is being dono by competing countries, ami if that was done she must Miccoed. Great kindness has been shown to mo Kince this honour wag conferred upon me," continued Mr Mackenzie, "and 1 am going to como back, and, if the pennlc will have me, take a share in the public life of the country again, 1 have followed almost every occupation in th's country, and I deeplv love it and all that pertains to it. Willi the widened experience that I shall gain it i 3 mv duty to offer nry services to the people if they want them. If not, 1 shall follow my hobbies and lead a' very happy life." .Mr .Mackenzie added assurance that a welcome and hi., assistance would bo ready for any journalist who visited him in Lon don. A I'AREWKLL INTERVIEW. NKW ZEALAND'S UKST INTERESTS AT HEART. This evening Mr Mackenzie gave a final interview prior to his departure. "1 sail to-morrow,he said, "ami I feel that I must justify the many anticipations that have been expressed regarding my appointment as High Commissioner." He had, he said, endeavoured to make himself familiar with _ tho resources of tho Dominion, especially agricultural and pastoral* products. In Now Zealand tho officers of the State were devoting themselves to careful preparation, manufacture, and get up of tlu staple products, and the Suite's grading of meat and dairy produce might be considered pcrfcct. At the other end experts were engaged in reporting any changes so that changes might be made, to suit the altered conditions. lhe policy in New Zealand was closer settlement and increased production. Similar lines wero being followed in many other countries of the world and it was therefore necessary that each producing country should have men apt and alert to keep abreast of all others in developing the already existing markets and in widening tho scope of the operations of the countries which they represented. ' '

-Mr .Mackenzie said lie thought that with the carefully prepared series of cinematograph views illustrating the methods of grading and inspection and showing typical fields, herds and flocks New Zealand produco could be brought more closely and more attractively under tho notie'e of consumers, lie considered that when lectures were to be given arrangements imould bo mado with local trader* to make excellent displays of pioducc to tlmt those who heard iho lectures could afterwards purchaso the goods I hey had heard described.

liegardjng the London Office, Mr Mackenzie said he hoped to investi«a.in thoroughly the whole position. lie had no doubt that premises in one of the leading centres should bo .secured. He would go into the whole question of staffing ami of new premises and would report to the Government.

New Zealand should now be in a position to approach some of tho Continental nations with a view to opening trado in produce. Any student familiar with tho slock depletion that has occurred in many European countries must realiso that at ik) very distant date supplies must oomo in from abroad. In Germany 58 per cent, of the people desired that wholesale food should bo admitted to the country and 42 per c-ent., including the Agrarian and tho Cluneal party, were against the admission of foreign supplies. It was only a question of time when the food-consuming community would lie in a majority. Canada hud negotiated with France, ami tho Argentine had also secured concessions. Austrab.i was also negotiating for similar advantages, and New Zealand could not lag behind these countries. In '■he Old Country changes were slow, and too much could not be expected in a short space of time. II > noticed that the shippers were taking an " all risk " policy, and he held the opinion that this would act detrimentally to the producers. Claims would hp made under this system whether damage existed or not. He would advise companies not to depart from the present- system of sales on the New Zealand grade certificate. The aim of the Government was to securc concessions in tariffs so that New Zealand produce might be distributed over a wider field.

He was conscious of tho high trust that had been placed in him, and it would be his constant endeavour to do his best for New Zealand. He would never forget the kindness that had been shown to him. Ho hoped to return to New Zealand again and take part in the public affairs of tho State, and any experience that ho had gained and any advitc that he could give would always be at the siirvieo ui tho people of the country who had sent him to tho world's metropolis. His only desire was to settle down finally in New Zealand, where he could pursue' the hobbies which had been such a life-long pleasure t/i him. In a word, so far as his ollirial position wont, lie desired to do his \crv best for New Zealand.