THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, December 23, 1938. THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23690, 23 December 1938, Page 8

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, December 23, 1938. THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER

Cabled references to functions at which Sir Harry Batterbee has been entertained on the eve of his departure from England to take up the new office of British High Commissioner in New Zealand will tend to increase the interest in this appointment in this country. The tributes that have been paid to Sir Harry’s personality and general qualifications for the position which he is to fill are by implication rather flattering to New Zealand, and as he has been described by Mr Malcolm MacDonald as a particularly indefatigable worker it is to be assumed that the British Government has no doubt whatever that there will be ample scope for his energy as its representative in the Dominion. The appointment, while new, is in the line of Empire precedent. It places New Zealand on the same footing as Canada, Australia, and South Africa in its relations with Great Britain. It means that, whereas both the King and the British Government are at present represented in the Dominion by the GovernorGeneral, the Government will in future have its own separate representation. This is in keeping with the decision of the Imperial Conference of 1926, which defined the office of GovernorGeneral as restricted to representation of the Sovereign and distinct from that of representative or agent of the British Government. While New Zealand has been content to adhere to the older system vesting in the Governor-General a duality of representation, the reasons actuating the British Government’s decision to establish the new office are perfectly understandable. The presence of the British High Commissioner in New Zealand will be in the interests of efficient consultation and communication between Great Britain and New Zealand and other Dominions, and his office may be expected to serve a very useful purpose as a clearing-house for information upon all matters with which they are individually and jointly concerned. Sir Harry Batterbee has himself emphasised the importance of personal contacts to Empire relations, and it is not difficult to recognise the service they may render in facilitating a prompt understanding in relation to matters which may not be easily clarified by means of correspondence. The more difficult the world situation becomes the more important is it that the machinery of consultation should be rendered as effective and expeditious as possible in its operation. It is understood that the duties of Sir Harry Batterbee will embrace matters of both diplomatic and commercial import. His experience as an official of the British Government will be available at a moment’s notice to the Government here. The Dominions Office will enjoy the advantage of his pi’esence in New Zealand, and this country should have equal reason to do so.