REPRESENTATION OVERSEAS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23969, 9 June 1943, Page 2

REPRESENTATION OVERSEAS

WASHINGTON AND OTTAWA

MR HOLLAND SEEKS INFORMATION

From Our Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON, June 8.

Questions on the overseas representation of New Zealand were asked by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland; in his- Budget debate speech in the House of Representatives this evening. He asked if and when the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) was going back to Washington, and if the Minister of Civil Defence (the Hon. D. Wilson) was going to replace Mr F. Langstone at Ottawa. If Mr Wilson were going to Ottawa, was Mr M. Moohan his successor, and as secretary of the Labour Party, going to replace him in the Legislative Council and in the Cabinet,

Mr Holland said that a year ago it had been decided that representation of New Zealand at Washington was necessary in the Dominion’s interests. so that effective contact could bo maintained with others of the United Nations. Because of the importance of Pacific strategy to New Zealand, this matter was vital, Mr Nash was sent to Washington at enormous cost, Mr Langstone was sent to Canada at enormous cost. Then the Government decided on an election. The Ministers dropped their jobs and scurried home; but Parliament had had no account of their stewardship from them.

In Washington a momentous conference was held, at which the winning of the war was planned. Britain's leader, Mr Churchill, flew across the ocean for it. America’s President dropped his other jobs, Australia had Dr. Evatt there. Canada sent the Prime Minister (Mr McKenzie King). Russia had a Minister at the conference. Where was New Zealand’s Minister? He was in New Zealand, electioneering, Where was New Zealand’s Minister of Defence? He was within a few hours of the United States. Why wasn’t he there? He was too busy electioneering, said Mr Holland. "Our Minister’s chair at the conference was empty,” said Mr Holland. “When gigantic decisions were being made, the Minister was fiddling in New Zealand, The Government placed more importance in electioneering than in the conference, although New Zealand’s destiny was in the melting pot.” Was New Zealand replacing Mr Langstone at Ottawa? asked Mr Holland. Had the Government dropped the idea of a High Commissioner at Ottawa? Was Mr Wilson going, and, if so, when? Canada had a right to know, and the New Zealand people had a right to know. If Mr Wilson did go to Ottawa, would he be replaced by Mr Moohan. Was this the way in which the secretary of the Labour Party was appointed to the Cabinet? Was the Government intending to send a representative to Moscow? Was it to be Mr James Roberts? 'The public had a right to know. . “I don’t feel any sense of guilt that the Minister to Washington is here,” said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser). ‘‘He was asked by the Government to return to New Zealand. No one had the slightest conception at that time that Mr Churchill would be in Washington. It was not until the finish of the North African campaign that Mr Churchill knew he was going to Washington. There is nothing unusual about no appointment having been made to Ottawa, General Hurley has not been replaced as United States Minister to New Zealand, but we don’t take that as a slight.” Mr Fraser said that Dr, Evatt had not gone to Washington to. meet Mr Churchill. “The value we have received from our missions abroad is invaluable.” said Mr Fraser. “The Minister of Finance can, and I hope he will, take the opportunity of dealing With his work in Washington.”