SIR GEORGE REID.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15892, 11 October 1913, Page 8

SIR GEORGE REID.

If the report, at present without confirmation, of tho death of Sir George Reid prove to be well-founded, tie Commonwealth lias lost a great asset and the Empire lias been bereaved of a picturesque personality. For many years a notable figure in Australian politics, Sir George Reid was latterly no less conspicuous among the representatives of the dominions who carry out their official duties at the heart of "the Empire itself; In popularity among the cartoonists of the Commonwealth he had really no successor. It will be Temembered that lie was appointed to the office of High Commissioner for Australia by the Deakin Administration, which, a few months later, was defeated at the polls. Thw for three years in London he was in a. sense the

representative of a Labour Cabinet, composed of his old political enemies. His political reputation being that of a great party fighter, some doubt was felt as to his capacity to adapt himself to the iolo of ambassador and adviser under the new regime. Nobody is heard expressing any doubt on that point to-day. He performed excellent work on behalf of Australia. A Suecessful High Commissioner must bo a man who figures in tho public eye. His mission demands it. He must bo able to bold his own in distinguished company, and to extend by proxy the hospitality of his country. In other words he must make so.ito show, must 6pend money freely, must talk frequently and well, and must gain popularity. • Sir George Reid appears to have done all these things to great advantage. According to the London correspondent of the Sydney Daily Telegraph, who lately supplied to that paper a lengthy Teview of Sir George Reid's work at Home, he was one of the most sought-after men in English society, and in his compulsory attendances at publio dinners and functions of every description lie probably established a record even for London. It should be added thai it is very helpful to a High Commissioner ta be a good story-teller, in which connectiof the writer we have just quoted says: "1 have sometimes heard complaints that Sil, George Eeid is guilty of telling a good story many times. When first bo came ta England be found it easy to maintain his great reputation as a racy speaker. In addition to a number of new stories he ■unscrupulously served np all those which bad done duty in Australia during the previous generation. And they went with a bang. Only the occasional Australian pressman recognised them as old friends, and even he, when he pondered upon the number of speeches the High Commissioner averaged in a week, marvelled only; at the freshness and adroit change of detail with which the chestnut was presented." English publio speaking being just now extremely plain and businesslike, Sir George Eeid had the greater opportunity, it would seem, to give life to scores of public dinners in London, and we are told that his speeches made innumerable friends of an influential and valuable kind for Australia. Attending; banquets, making speoches, and going into society—these are functions, befitting a High Commissioner, which Sir Gsorgo Reid evidently discharged with conspicuous prowess and success. The curious wondered when the High Commissioner for Australia found time for the administrative side of his office. The truth is that he worked early and late, and with a very small staff probably accomplished more in the past three years than any other occupant of his office 'will be called upon to attempt in any; subsequent six. Sir George Reid was undoubtedly a good advertisement for the Commonwealth, to put the matter in very, bald terms; he became a oonspicuous figure in London, where he spent his salary and substance liberally in the exercise of a hospitality becoming the representative of a great dominion; and the Commonwealth will be very much the poorer if his services have been lost by it.