The Timaru Herald SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1908. THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13655, 25 July 1908, Page 4

The Timaru Herald SATURDAY, JULY 25, 190 8. THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP.

Coming so soon after his re appointment for a, further term- of three years, (ha resignation, of the Hon. W. I*. R<;eva* from the position of High • Commissioner, announced by (lie Premier in 'Hie House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, will give rise to a, considerable amount of speculation. From ; a .financial standpoint it, is unlikely that he has bettered himself bv accepting the directorship of the London School of Economics and Political Science, which appears to be a teaching iuslituliort connected with the London University. The total emoluments attached to the office of High Commissioner run into something like £2250 per annum, to say nothing of the opportunities; for remunerative, employment enjoyed by a litterateur of Mr Reeves* conspieuoh. ability occupying an official position which gives a. special valne in certain quarters to articles from his pen.Add to all these solid advantages (he. further attraction of attendance at different international conferences in various parts of Europe and America, and . one miipt realise that Mr Reeves would not lightlytender the resignation which lias evidently taken the Government completely by surprise. It is quite possible, of course, that Mr Reeves is -'translating himself to a congenial sphere without any serionst pecuniary sacrifice, but we . noh be surprised to learn that while- he. might have resigned in any <ftse, lie has experienced' no slight resentment at the way in which his re-appointment was delayed after the expiry of his previous torn about the middle of last month. There must have been some doubt in the. minds of members of the Cabinet about, oontiriu-. ing him in tho office, or we., should. ■ not have had the decision of the Government held back for a fortnight after the '.position • had actually become .vacant* Mr Reeves ,himMf; had a right to expect, an earlier intimation of tho Government's intention, and >h« can hardly fail to have felt a. sense ■of ■-. something approaching . ignominy-in being kept; in ignorance/ of his-faite'. when the term: of his engagement, was approaching, and oven after it had passed. 'The. stat-i.-nient. lias found publication that the decision to re-appoint him was made only in time to includei the bare, announcement, of it. in the Governor's Speech at the opening of Parliament on ,lmw 29th last, and for a time there was considerable doubt whether, the; appointment was to be for the full term of three years or only for twelve months. The whole business has every 'appearance;.- of. suggesting thai somebody else, had .designs upon the office so long held in London by Mr.Reeves, and if parliamentary rumour is worth anything at all, the electors of Timai'ii might have found that, they were specially interested in the change that .was supposed to be on the cards. Whether they will still he interested, no\v that.Mr Reeves has forced the choice of a successor, to-himself upon the Government, we .must wait to see. .The necessity for making tha .selection conies .at ah awkward time, for the GoveriunmU.-'.'iss'iming'.that' one- of lis members is desirous of extending his ncqnaintanee, wiHi life, in London. - -The j promotion of one among the many aspirants.y to Ministerial rank would be an emJmrras- '. sing task for the Premier, and the. losa of °a popular colleague from, his /.orstituency would raifie difficulties; hhr.l'.y, less delicate in his district. Hut -'<cU this is mere speculation which we may jmt;awiv ifrom us untsL Sir, Joseph .W»ird; nialies: his promised announcement in 'regard to llw appointment of another High' !Commissioner. In the.,meantime we believe his brief tribute to -Mr Reeves has been well earned., : Mr Reeves hap perhaps;not been .the affable and accessible representative to every globe-trotting colonist . (hat -soma people expected him to be;, he has.perhaps not been. Ihe .glorified.- commei«cial- traveller for his country that others "have -thought he should be. /Brit he; has an enviable reputation for liis a'eumeV irt,fh& 'financial transactions-of New Zealand in which ho is understood: to have saved ;his salary time and' again - , while, sis a. keen land : incisive writer," ho has' at- all- titnes proved himself competent.''to explain the colony's affairs and to defend it against attack from any quarter. Wo venture to think that the Government will find great in. securing another representative so many-sided and so capable of (ak'ing his place with dignity arid success in : whatever circumstances he, ijnight '; find hmself.