MR. SMITH AND THE DOMINION HOUSE IN LONDON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16610, 6 December 1919, Page 7

MR. SMITH AND THE DOMINION HOUSE IN LONDON.

Tf> THE EDIIOH

Sir, —I am amazed and not a Ettle amused at the rather miserable attempt of Mr., Smith to make political capital out of what he designates “the completely out-of-date High Commissioner’s office in London.” He has never seen that office, but he has made “close inquiries into the matter,” and he has heard things from men who • have returned from Home. As one who has lived in London and has been inside the Dominion House many times, let me inform Mr. Smith and those who listened to his disparaging words at Fitzroy that his description is absolutely erroneous. If the Reform Government is responsible for the Dominion House, then the Reform Government is to be congratulated. The building occupies a central position in the Strand. In the windows there is a most attractive display of war trophies, pictures of New Zealand scenery and many New Zealand exhibits. Still more exhibits are to ; be seen in the spacious hall inside; there are tables on which lie the principal newspapers of the Dominion, and a wide staircase leads to a splendid suite of offices. The High Commissioner's offices aro anything but out-of-date, and under Mr. Bonsor, the Emigration Department is worked most efficiently. I have been past the house scores of times, and never once during the day have I been able to get a „ place easily at the windows. It is true that Australia and Canada, have larger houses, but is not this as it should be? Australia is a continent. As a grain of sand is to a cricket ball so is New Zealand 1 to Canada. Why do we not build a Westminster at Wellington? Mr. Smith is not going to help his candidature by means of extravagant and ignorant statements. He has put a whip into the hands of Mr. Buckeridgo and Mr. Buokeridge will know how to use it.—l am, etc., TRUTH.