THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13052, 11 March 1911, Page 3

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Sir William Hall-Jones' term of office ap. High Commissioner for New Zealand in London expires in June next, and there is considerable speculation in political circles regarding his successor. In Wellington, Dr. Levinge, who has just returned from a visit to England, has indulged in some free criticism of the administration of the Dominion , headquarters; He is reported as having said that the New Zealand office was completely away from the busy life of the city. The Dominion was not advertised either as energetically or as well as it might be. People calling at the ofiicg found little return for their trouble. There waa a distinct lack of push and enterprise •;■'. ::-Y \v?.<: enftrr.etoristic .of some -of tic other colonial offices. * The Wellington Opposition journals commenting upon these statements, suggests that the High Commissioner's illhealth may bf detrimental to the efficiency of the London staff, and it proceeds to speculate- upon the probable candidates for the position, thei names of Mr T. Mackenzie, whose prospects it discounts, Dr. Findlay and Sir •Joseph Ward being suggested in succession. The contingency which seems to us most probable—the renewal of tho present High Commissioner's term —it overlooks. As a matter of fact, latest advices report.the complete restoration of Sir Wm. Hall-Jones to health. One correspondent declares that he has never looked better, and our Wellington contemporary admits that "he has the reputation of brting a very hard working and painstaking administrator."—-"Auckland Star."