SIR THOMAS WILFORD

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 82, 31 December 1934, Page 6

SIR THOMAS WILFORD

Pays a Brief Visit to New Zealand RETIRED FROM POLITICS Dominion Special Service. Auckland, December 30. Only a brief visit to the Dominion is being paid by Sir Thomas Wilford, formerly High Commissioner for New Zea land in London, who arrived at Auckland by the Akaroa. Sir Thomas, who isi accompanied by Lady Wilford, said the principal reasons for his trip were his desire, to see his mother, whom lie had not seen for five years, and to attend to various business affairs in the Dominion. He proposed to leave in February on his return to England. Asked whether he intended to live, m England permanently, Sir Thomas said be had not definitely made up his mind. He had retired from politics and public life, and felt there were uo immediate prospects for him in New Zealand, while there were very considerable prospects in the city in London Sir Thomas explained that since his retirement from the High Commissionership last year ho had been appointed to the directorates of several large companies. He was a director of the National Bank of New Zealand; which had its head ofiice in London. He was also ou the board of Sternol,: Limited, a large British oil company, and he. was interested in a Lopdon company concerned with a vacuum packing process for butter and cheese. “As 'a result of my business activities,” Sir Thomas said, “I do not feel inclined to comment on such matters as the quota problem and its possible effects on New • Zealand’s exports to Great' Britain, I have very decided views on the matter, but if I were to discuss them 1 should be courting controversy. I shall not be here long enough to risk that.” Sir Thomas added that he would, doubtless be meeting members of the Government during his stay, and if they desired it he would be only too wiliing to report to them on any matters regarding trade relations between Great Britain and New Zealand. Discussing European affairs, Sjr Thomas said he had visited Germany recently and had met several leaders of the Government. He discounted the idea that Germany was preparing, for war. “When Germany declared war in 1914,” Sir Thomas said, “she had allied countries with men and bayonets and war material to help her and the Nordic States as neutrals. To-day if she declared war there is not one country in the whole world which would furnish a single bayonet to assist her, while the Nordic States,-far from remaining neutral, would definitely take part against her if she dared to commence war contrary to the undertakings given to the League of Nations. It is a fact that the Nordic States in many ways live for’ the League. Talk of wiir by Germany is to my mind entirely beyond the range of practical considerations. She is admittedly building a strong air force, but that is because she has no other means of defence. While people talk about the possible bombing of London, Paris and other large cities, they must not forget that although an air force may bomb a city .it cannot take possession of a country. I have yet to believe that even the razing of portion of London to the ground would- make Englishmen yield their country to a foreign foe.” •• Sir Thomas left to-night for Wanganui.