8.—6

XXIV

It would be well that the Imperial Government and the Governments of other countries, India, Canada, South Africa, and the Commonwealth of Australia, should be informed of our intention to hold a national exhibition. Later on during the session an opportunity will be afforded members of coming to a conclusion upon this important matter.

OFFICE OF HIGH COMMISSIONBE. Naturally, the proposal to appoint a High Commissioner for the colony to act as its representative in London has created comment, favourable and otherwise. I am sorry to say that a construction has been placed upon the action of the Government entirely unwarranted by the circumstances. There are those who will never see the progress and altered conditions that surround them. They live wrapt up in the past, oblivious of the present and the future. When the General Agent for the colony at Home, or the Agent-General as he is now called, was first appointed, New Zealand had a population of 266,986. Its revenue amounted to £1,342,116, while its trade amounted to £9,249,297. It had at the same time eight Provincial Councils or smaller States. Things have now changed. We have a population of 838,954, while our revenue amounts to £7,021,386, and our trade to £28,675,982. We have had our federation; the Provincial Councils have been abolished, and there is one central Government. Canada has its High Commissioner with subordinate Commissioners in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The Commonwealth of Australia has its Act empowering the appointment of a High Commissioner, which is soon to take place. The time has now arrived for New Zealand to bring itself into line with other countries. The Imperial Government have their High Commissioners— the latest appointment was to Cyprus; and if New Zealand is to maintain its prestige, and give its representative a fair and fitting opportunity, the name " Agent-General " should be changed to that of " High Commissioner." We have our Produce Commissioner in the Mother-country ; we have our Produce Commissioners in South Africa ; and to merge the Agent-General into a High Commissioner is a wise and proper thing to do. The next question is the salary for such an office. The Government think that a salary of about £2,000 per annum would not be too much, and are of the opinion that the change of office should be made, even if the salary now paid to the A.gent-General (£1,500) were to be continued. The amount now paid to our Agent-General is inadequate. A. very large percentage of our colonists who visit England have letters of introduction to the Agent-General. He is put to expense and has to entertain. Whatever salary is fixed, there should be a sum granted for entertainment purposes, thus obviating the colony's representative bearing the expense out of his own salary. There is no provision made in these estimates, as the salary will be provided in the Bill that will be submitted to you later on. The amount named will be about £2,000 per annum. The next important point is as to who should be appointed. Adverse and undeserved comment has been made regarding myself. It has been openly stated I was creating the position with an ulterior object. It is with some diffidence I express the opinion that, health permitting, I can do greater good for this colony by remaining in New Zealand. Whoever is appointed should be a New Zealander well acquainted with the political, agricultural, and commercial affairs of the colony. To appoint merely a figurehead and to make the position ambassadorial would be a grave mistake, and the Government have no intention of so doing. The appointment should not be for more than five years, discretionary power being given to the Governor for a lesser term, thus ever keeping the person appointed in close touch with the colony. I will say nothing further upon this matter now. Further details will be given on the second reading of the Bill.