THE COLONIST. Published Eveet Mobniso. Monday, May 30, 1910. SIR CHARLES LUCAS' MISSION.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12806, 30 May 1910, Page 2

THE COLONIST. Published Eveet Mobniso. Monday, May 30, 1910. SIR CHARLES LUCAS' MISSION.

The impressions gathered by Sir Charles Lucas, head of the Dominions Department of tho Colonial Office, during his recent visit to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, have been .'.ssued as a Parliamentary paper, and make interesting reading. Sir Charles explains that he was not* sent out in any sense to "report on" the Domin|ions, b\it simply "to see and hear, vo [mako friexwls, awl as far as uossiofc | to facilitate public business, 7 ' and h? has only to set down a few notes, relating mainly to the maintenance and promotion of ''a good understanding" between tho Motherland and Australia and New Zealand. He lays strong emphasis on the improvement of communications, and ascribes the historic feeling of animosity against what was comprehensively known is "Downing-street" to the difficulties and uncertainties of communication in earlier days, and notes with pleasure the waning of this tradition as a result of telegraphs and better mails, but he bears testimony to the still existing necessity of "quick, cheap, constant, and regular communication." Referring to the Press of Australasia, he says the .newspapers of the Dominions "will compare most favourably as far as I can judge, with any newspapers in any part of the world, but I seemed to detect a want of '.letailed telegraphic information of what was taking place in England. The result was to me perpetual half-know-ledge of contemporary home affairs. ■Tbis half-knowledge at certain times and iinder certain conditions might 'conceivably have a dangerous effect on public opinion. It is a matter of pounds, shillings, and l pence — and one of tho various good results of the valuable Press Conference has been w strengthen the movement for cheaper telegrams." .Substantial progress haa been made since Sir Charles Lucas left Australasia in the' direction of further reducing what cause for complaint might have existed' in. this direction. Sir Charles pays a high tribute to tho Australian Civil Service. There is, he says, nothing more admirable in the public life of Australia than the efforts made to keep the permanent officials outside, the scope of political influence. Political jobbery in regard to Commonwealth ' appointments is practically killed by the Act of 1902 for the regulation of the public service, which is controlled by a Commissioner possessing extensive powers, and is recruited mainly by examination. Of the Judiciary in hofo. Australia and New Zealand the ch:^i of the Dominions Departments speakin the following warm terms: "Nowhere, as far as I know, does the judiciary, as a whole, stand higher in public estimation, and with better reasor-. than in Australia and New Zealand The High Court of Australia, with S ; "-' Samuel Griffith at its head, command-, the fullest confidence, and among the Chief Justices of the States aro names of high eminence. The Bench in New Zealand, too, is highly and deservedly respected. In short, though there must be exceptions to all rules, th" rule in Australasia is that, alike in their own profession and in citizen life, as Lieutenant-Governors, it may be, or Chancellors of Universities, the Judges carry with tfiem trust and respect." Sir Charles Lucas bears witness to the unfailing friendliness and hospitality of his reception by all whom he encountered in his tour, and says that the experience was a source of the greatest interest and pleasure to himself and to Mr Pearson, who aocompanied him. He recommends that such' visits should bo paid "once in evory three or four years— say, once between every two Imperial Conferences—by one of the senior members of the Colonial Office, accompanied preferably by one of the younger members of the staff."