HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13656, 27 July 1908, Page 7

HIGH COMMISSIONER.

SUCCESSOR TO MR REEVES.

MR HALL-JONES MENTIONED

On Saturday the "Lyttelton Times" printed tho following telegram from its Parliamentary correspondent:— The announcement of the impending resignation of the "High Commissioner came as a complete surprise to the House, although there is reason to believe that the possibility of a change was known in official quarters. The. decision of the Hon. W. P. Reeves is accepted as final, and the question that is now puzzling members is in regard to the appointment of a new big hcommisstoner. The House takes it. for granted that a New Zealander will be selected, and the weight of opinion on Friday night was that tho Hon. "\V. Hall-Jones is the most, likely man to go to London. There is no definite basis for such an opinion, and I am in » position to say that the matter has not been considered by the Cabinet in any way. H» is an open secret, however, that Mr HallJones does not propose to carry on his ministerial duties after the end of the present -rear. His health is not good, but the work of the high commissionershipdoes not entail heavy departmental work such as is inseparable from a portfolio in the New Zealand Ministry. "Will a New Zealander bo sent to London" the reporter asked the Premier on' Friday. "I hope tha.t a New Zealander will be selected as the next High Commissioner," replied the Prime Minister. . " The pqsi-

tion is a difficult one to fill, and the Government; cannot be expected to come to a final determination regarding the matter until after mature deliberation."

The reporter mentioned the name of the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, but tha Prime Minister replied that he could not speak more definitely on the point'. The matter had not come before the Cabinet at all. Tho Prime Minister added that in all probability it. would be neccsary for the position in London to bs filled temporarily by the. Hon. W. P. Reeves -until his successor arrived. The new Commissioner could hardly arrive before tho end of tho year, as a successor could nob be appointed until the actual resignation of Mr Reeves had been received.

FEELING IN TIMARU. From conversation in Timaru on Saturday, there seemed to be a general impression, based upon no particular foundation, that Mr Hall-Jones would bo the next High Commissioner. A good many people, including several of his supporters, have the idea that his strength is no louder equal to a strenuous political career and°that he will take, the opportunity of retiring into an easier life. In the event of his retirement, speculation is already busy with the name of a successor for the Timaru .«eat>, and in this connection, the Mayor (Mr Craigie) is freely mentioned.