SUCCESS IN OFFICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23647, 3 November 1938, Page 12

SUCCESS IN OFFICE

HIGH COMMISSIONERS DOMINION USUALLY WELL REPRESENTED MR JORDAN'S POPULARITY (Special to Daily Times) WELLINGTON, Nov. 2. The general success of New Zealand's representation in London was the subject of favourable comment by Mr D. Hope Johnston, M.A., F.R.Hist.S., who has come to New Zealand with a proposal for the erection of a national memorial in London to the founders of the white settlement in this country. Mr Hope Johnston, himself a London resident, said he could speak from 40 years' contact with official-rep-resentatives there of the various British dominions. " London people have taken the present New Zealand High Commissioner (Mr W J Jordan) to their hearts," he said. "He is sensibly proud of the fact that he once served in the London Police Force, and the public like him for that. His courteous and kindly disposition have certainly made a favourable impression on all those with whom he has come in contact." New Zealand House Mr Hope Johnston said his personal contact with the London representatives of the New Zealand Government went back as far as Sir Westby Percival, and he could say that from that time to the present they had compared favourably with the representatives of any other dominion. In his efforts to promote Empire sentiment he had always received far greater sympathy from New Zealand House than from Australia House. Having spent half his life in Australia and half in London, he felt qualified to express that opinion. He had always said that New Zealand would be the last place in the British Empire where the Union Jack would be hauled down. "I have also been particularly struck by the efficiency and high quality of New Zealand trade publicity in Great Britain, which is under the direction of Mr H. T. B. Drew," said Mr Hope Johnston. His success is due not only to his ability as a publicist, but also to his Im-perial-mindedness and knowledge of New Zealand and Australian history " Trade Publicity A suggestion for the improvement of the displays of Dominion products in Great Britain by combining with them some historical representation was advanced by Mr Hope Johnston He said he had planned a display on those lines of Australian produce to coincide with Australia Day. It was located in one of the main windows of a leading London store and was accounted one of the most remarkable that had ever been seen in the city. He believed that similar displays for New Zealand would be of great help. Referring to lis recent sojourn in Australia Mr Hope Johnston said he did not think that New Zealand's representation there was as effective as it might be. He considered that if the status of the present trade commissioner was increased to tha' of agent-general, or possibly if an agent-general were appointed in addition to the present trade commissioner, then the representation would be more in keeping with the dignity and importance of the Dominion.