THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1931, Page 4

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

New Zealand newspapers this week have given considerable space to a reply by the High Commissioner in London to an accusation levelled against him a few months ago by Mr. David Jones, M.P. During a debate in the House of Representatives Mr. Jones severely criticised the High Commissioner and his office, the burden of hs complaint being that Sir Thomas Wilford had not shown the courtesy due to such an important personage as Mr. Jones, chairman of the Meat Producers’ Board, while be was visiting London. At a time when the country is deeply concerned with matters of the greatest moment it may seei- that Mr. Jones’ treatment is a question of very trifling importance indeed, yet criticism of the High Commissioner’s discharge of his duties is not to be ignored, even if it only relates to the purely social side of his activities. New Zealanders who visit London naturally look to the Dominion’s representative to assist them socially, and in a treat many cases in the past. visitors have expressed very high appreciation of his generous help. His reply to Mr. Jones’ allegations indicates that nothing whs lacking in Sir Thomas Wilford’s treatment of him and that there can have been no real cause for complaint. It is gratifying to know that the. High Commissoner has been able to justify himself. But his detailed statement of what seem to have been his own personal efforts to assure a pleasant visit for Mr.

Jones and Ms party suggests that the Hi"h Commissioner must have gone out of his way to make things easy for this particular guest. It cannot be supposed that he treats everyone with the same generosity; otherwise he surely would have to spend all his time as a social commissioner, and the Dominion does not expect that of him. If he were merely concerned with the work of filling in dinner cards and theatre tickets for New Zealanders who want to enjoy themselves, and perhaps to obtain some fleeting social distinction, he would be neglecting the more mportant part of his dutes, or what should be his duties. The High ’Commissioner’s status is supposed to have been raised very substantially with the Dominion’s promotion to a full nartnership in the Empire, so that there f s work of an ambassadorial nature which the principal representative abroad should be encouraged to undertake, and trade interests also require Jiis care. Sir Thomas Wilford is fully capable of meeting the demands made upon him, and if there is any reason to suppose that his services are not being utilised to the best purpose the Government should take care to provide him with work worthy of his talents and his office. u