LINK WITH GREAT BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 145, 15 March 1939, Page 10

LINK WITH GREAT BRITAIN

Welcome To First High Commissioner

VALUE OF PERSONAL

CONTACT

New Zealand And United Kingdom

The value of personal contact in supplementing communications between the United Kingdom and Governments was referred to by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, and by the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in New Zealand, Sir Harry Batterbee, at a State luncheon yesterday in honour of Sir Harry and his wife, Lady Batterbee. Sir Marry said that the relations between Great Britain and New Zealand were so close, and the two peoples had such an identity of interests, that his task should be easy. ,There were 200 guests, over whom the Prime Minister presided. They included Ministers of the Crown and their wives, members of both Blouses of Parliament, foreign consuls, heads of State departments, and representatives of the professions, commerce, industry, and the Church.

There were two toasts, ‘"The King,” and “Our Guests.” Both were proposed by the Prime Minister. It was a great privilege, said Mr. Savage, to welcome Sir Harry and Lady Batterbee to New Zealand. He knew he was speaking ' in the names of those present when he said they were among friends, and that they would feel quite at home before they were very long in this country. Sir Harry and Lady Batterbee arrived at a very interesting time —a time when civilization, one could truthfully say, was in the melting pot. The time had arrived for representatives of the people to meet round the conference table rather than to write letters to one another, and when the nations’ barriers should not be any hindrance to carrying out principles that would carry civilization to higher standards. He was afraid that, looking at the world today, one could not help feeling there was any amount of room for improvement. Facing Great Issues. “We are facing great difficulties and great issues,” said Mr. Savage, “and it is not sufficient to be able to communicate simply by wireless and cable. It is much better if we are able to meet people face to face. Now we have in this country a representative of the British Government in the flesh, and lie can give expression to the mind and sentiment behind communications from the Imperial authorities. Sir IHarry’s extensive training in the Do[minions Office and in the British civil I service fits him for the high office he ■ has been appointed to fill.

“Sir Harry comes here as the first occupant of the post of High Commissioner in New Zealand, and 1 do not think that he will ever run out of a job. I hope that whenever he has anything to say he will be able to find the Prime Minister or any other Minister. Even if he makes a nuisance of himself to me I will forgive him. I can assure Sir Harry there is no barbed ■wire round the Prime Minister, and that I will be accessible at all times.” “It is pleasing to have a representative of the British Government in our midst,” said Mr. Savage. “Sir Harry is a man well qualified to express the soul of the British people. He comes here to take up his great work none too soon. The establishment of the office of High Commissioner in New Zealand has been talked about for years and now that the office is an accomplished fact we welcome Sir Harry and Lady Batterbee with all our hearts.” Mr. Savage said they were trying to straighten out their difficulties in New Zealand, and who could say they were not on the threshold of reaching a solution to some of the world's difficulties. Reply By Sir Harry. After returning thanks for the cordial reception accorded’to Lady Batterbee and himself, Sir Harry said that the words of the Prime Minister would be a great encouragement to him in the work he was about to undertakeThey had been looking forward to their stay in New Zealand and had been deeply touched by the warm welcome they had received everywhere since their arrival at Auckland on Friday. The reception that day had set the seal on many kindnesses since first stepping ashore. Sir Harry said he had been in New Zealand twice before and was delighted to be back again. Little did he think when last here 12 years ago with the Duke and Duchess of York, now the King and Queen that the next time he visited the Dominion it would be as High Commissioner for the United Kingdom. The appointment, said Sir Harry, had its origin in a recommendation of the Imperial Conference held in 1926. As a result of that recommendation United Kingdom High Commissioners had been appointed in Canada, the Union of South Africa and in Australia. After consultation between the ,United Kingdom and the New Zealand Governments, and with the full approval of the latter Government, it had been decided to establish the post of United Kingdom High Commissioner in New Zealand. Though the post was new in the Dominion it simply followed what had been done elsewhere. His functions would be similar to those at Home of the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London, Mr. AV. J. Jordan, and he wished to express his and Lady Batterbee’s gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Jordan for the many kindnesses they had shown to his wife and himself in their preparations for tneir trip to New Zealand.

Personal Discussions.

Sir Harry said his appointment was not due to any difficulties in conditions between the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The value of personal contact in supplementing the channels of communication between the United Kingdom afid other members of the Commonwealth had been proved with the other Dominions, and this policy was now being extended to New Zealand. Official dispatches could never lake the place of personal discussions.

Sir Harry said he was looking for-

ward most keenly to the establishment of the transtasman air service, which would result in a marked improvement in communication between New Zealand and the United Kingdom. He also hoped (he day was not far distant when they would see the opening of the transpacific air service. However, increased speed could not take the place of personal discussions. Every day the need for ambassadors grew greater and not less. He liked to regard the duties of a High Commissioner as the interpreter of the feelings and ideas of one part of the British Commonwealth to another. lie felt extremely fortunate to have been chosen as the first High Commissioner in New Zealand, and hoped Io co-operate will) the Government in a way that would result in the prosperity, advancement and welfare of the Dominion aud (ho Motherland.