The Timaru Herald THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1911. HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14521, 17 August 1911, Page 4

The Timaru Herald THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1911. HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP.

The latest rumour in connection with the High Commissionership, which emanates from England for a change, j s o no that we hardly think events will verify. The London correspondent of several New Zealand papers " understands " that Lord Plunket has been requested, and has agreed, to fill the office from Sir William Hall-Jones's retirement m a fortnight's time until after the general election in New Zealand, when a permanent appointment will be made. It is quite natural that the Government should delay the permanent appointment till it knows whether it is going to continue to be a Government at all, but it would be not a little surprising if Lord Plunket were appointed to fill the interregnum. The reason making it surprising would not be that the Prime Minister has cabled that the whole matter of the appointment is standing over for consideration by Cabinet, on his return. Publicity of his intentions is not by any means a fetish of Sir Joseph Ward, and we have no doubt that ho could easily reconcile his cabled statement with the fact of a temporary appointment having been arranged. . But tiiere are members of the High Commissioner's staff —Mr C. W. Palliser and Mr T. E. Donne-to wit—who would probably be more ready and even more fit than Lord Plunket to fill the acting-position. It would be a new departure for an exGovernor to accept such an office, and_ though Sir George Grey took' a similar step when he became Premier, Lord Plunket hardly seems to us the sort of man who would be naturally disposed to act in alike manner. Apart from inclination, though we believe the great tact and quiet ability of Lord Plunket were scarcely sufficiently recognised in New Zealand, it is doubtful if he possesses the precise gifts which are desirable and almost necessary m a High Commissioner. 'Lord Plunket is a retiring man who does not care about the limelight, and the High Commissionership demands a man who will glory in the limelight, mid there constantly. Such ;i mrm is not likely to bo found—Australia U exceptionally fortunate in Sir George Reid—but we can conceive of no man less likely than Lord Plunket to rush in, knowing the absence of such bliow qualities in his own case. Lord Plunket's lack of financial and commercial experience would be a yet stronger obstacle to his discharging the duties of the office satisfactorily. The commercial knowledge and the aggressive energy that are needed for the post would be very well supplied by the Hon. T. Mackenzie, who has already intimated that he will accept it if it is offered to him. If Mr T. E. Donne was appointed in an acting capacity till the end of the year, and Mr Mackenzie chosen to succeed him, the office would be filled as well as it is likely to be filled. Sir William Hall-Jones has stated that he will give up political life entirely, and return to New Zealand to live after a few weeks holiday which he intends to take on the expiration of his present appointment. The return of Sir William and Lady Hall-Jones will be welcomed by a large number of their friends.