The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, FEBBUABY 28,1885.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3253, 28 February 1885, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, FEBBUABY 28, 1885.

was who was selected to draw tip memoranda embodying the sentiments of all the colonies on this subject, and who was detailed to visit Paris in order personally to interview the French authorities with a view to influencing their action. Sir Dillon Bell lifted hia office out of the sphere of a mere mercantile agency, and was called upon frequently to undertake functions more properly pertaining to an ambassador. At the same time it is to bis credit that, never for one moment were the material interests of the colony allowed to suffer — in fact, they have never been better looked after than during his term of office. To hiß exertions is due the production of a Handbook, in which the resources of the colony are set forth on a scale never previously attempted, while all who have ever visited the Agency on business are unanimous in their praise of the promptitude and courtesy with which their wants were attended to. In appointing a suitable successor to the present Agent-General, the Government will have no easy task before them. The position now requires a combination of qualities seldom found in one man. To the strictest integrity mußt be added a power of making one's influence personally felt, a keen capacity for the higher branches of finance and business generally, and an unfailing supply of tact and savoir faire. When the possibility of Sir Dillon Bell's retirement was discussed last session, it was rumored that either Sir George Whitmore, or the Hon. P. Buckley would have the offer of the appointment. We fully admit the abilities of both these gentlemen, but we cannot say we think they possess exactly what is required to fill the position, as it ought to be filled. The colony has now acquired the habit of requiring a high standard of excellence in its Agent- General, and any selection that may be made will be very keenly scrutinised.

The announcement that Sir Dillon Bell has decided to resign the AgentGeneralship is again made, and this time with an air of some authority, although nothing has been made known officially on the subject. It will be remembered that Sir Dillon Bell was requested by the Atkinson Government to remain in office for a further term of two years from January last, when his original appointment expired, and lie consented to do so. It was understood that the arrangement was to be subject to the ratification of Parliament, but before it could be submitted to the House, the Atkinson Government went out of office. A discussion took place, however, in reference to the arrangement that had been made, and a tone pervaded some of the speeches that was certainly quite uncalled-for in the case of a gentleman who had served the colony with so much zeal and fidelity as had Sir Dillon Bell. The Agent-General naturally resented the remarks that had been made, and plainly told the Government that he did not wish to remain in the office an hour unless he possessed the confidence of Parliament, and he strongly urged that the House should be asked to come to a decision in the matter, so that his position might be put on a proper footing. The Government, however, did not see proper to follow this course. Perhaps they did not care to admit the principle that the appointment of Agent- General should necessarily be submitted to the House. At any rate, they contented themselves with stating that they considered the appointment made by the late Government perfectly valid, and requiring no confirmation. As an official notification of the fact to Sir Dillon Bell, the Premier, in addition to making a statement to that effect in the House, sent a formal letter to the Agent- General, stating that the present Government confirmed the arrangement made with him by their predecessors. What may be the reasons that are inducing Sir Dillon Bell to resign we are not in a position to say. It may be that he is not hopeful of acting for any length of time on the same cordial terms with the present Government as he enjoyed with their predecessors, or it may be that he considers the remarks made during the debate referred to were such as would not justify a highminded man in remaining in office unless Parliament had expressly stated that it did not endorse those remarks, and desired him to continue in the service of the colony. We are inclined to think that both motives have probably influenced bis decision, in addition to which it is pretty well known that he was not personally anxious to retain the office, his heart being really in New Zealand. As be stated in one of his letters to the Government, "My home is in the country I helped to found, and I shall account the day happy when I return to it." If Sir Dillon Bell really has made up his mind to return to the colony, we have no hesitation in saying that the loss of such a representative in London, of New Zealand interests, will be deeply regretted by everyone who has the welfare of the country at heart. There is no doubt that in appointing Sir Dillon Bell, the Hall Government succeeded in pitching upon one who has in every respect proved himself a model Agent-General, and has succeeded in upholding the honor of the Colony in a manner that will always redound to his credit. High-minded and courteous, everyone knew him to be; but few people, we imagine, gave him credit for the business tact and delicate diplomacy which enabled him to conduct so successfully the financial operations of the colony, and which led to the receipt on his part of many tempting offers to give up his official position, and to throw in his lot with others by whom his abilities were keenly appreciated, and who were in a position to reward them handsomely. The respect in which Sir Dillon Bell was held by the other Agents-General is shown by the fact that they entrusted to bis hands the lead in suoh important matters as tho recidivistcs business. He it