LONDON MISSION

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 256, 28 July 1942, Page 5

LONDON MISSION

Mr. Nash Arrives (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) LONDON, July 26. The New Zealand Minister in Washington, Mr. Nash, arrived in London today. He said he had come to discuss questions of finance and marketing. He expects to be in England for a few weeks, and his main business will be with the British Treasury and War Cabinet, discussing the co-ordin-ation of supplies to New Zealand from America and the United Kingdom, both for the war and after the war. Mr. Nash is accompanied by Miss Jean McKenzie, Dunedin, his private secretary. They flew in a British Airways four-engined Boeing, the flight lasting 28 hours, and they were met by Air Commodore L. M. Isitt, Mr. R. M. Campbell, of the Dominions Office, and Admiral Sir .Arthur Bromley, who went out in a launch and met the fly-ing-boat. Mr. Nash, looking fit and well and carrying a black satchel and an unrolled umbrella —showing shrewd knowledge of the English summersaid, “I couldn’t be better,” when Air Commodore Isitt asked him how he was and bow he enjoyed the flight. Mr. Nash recorded a broadcast for New Zealand while waiting at the Customs, and then entrained for London, where he was met at the station by the New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr. Jordan, and his wife, the Dominions Secretary, Mr. Attlee, and many New Zealanders. He is staying at the Savoy, and will be the guest of the United Kingdom Government while in England. His first appointment tomorrow is a Ministry of Information Press conference, after which he will attend a meeting of the War Cabinet. Mr. Geoffrey Cox, the Rhodes Scholar, and former war correspondent, who left the N.Z.E.F. in Egypt and is now the first diplomatic secretary to the New Zealand Legation in Washington, will act as Charge d'Affaires, and will represent New Zealand on the Pacific War Council during Mr. Nash's absence. "Dominions Much Safer.”

In an interview. Mr. Nash said : ‘The position in Australia and New Zealand is infinitely better after the Battle, ot Midway Island, though the Dominions are not entirely safe, but .steps are being taken to ensure that they will play a full part when the time comes for the offensive against Japan to recover the lands that have been occupied, and also to see that the Japanese do not repeat their aggression.” . . Mr. Nash described as ‘amazing changes he had seen in America since his arrival. “Nothing is more apparent, he said, “than the fact that production during these few months has outdistanced all the records that were dreamed of. Referring to President Roosevelt, he said: “Both as chairman of the Pacific War Council and leader of the country, he is continuously an inspiration. He IS probably tlie best-informed man on the world situation I have yet met. His insight into difficult situations is tremendous. He lias the greatest courage when facing them. He has an amazing facility for dealing with men with different viewpoints, while on top of all, his magnificent outlook for freedom and social progress has won him the respect of people in all walks of life whom I have met in America. He will be one of the great personalities in tlie history of the. world His mime and his actions will live for many centuries.” Discussing the iease-lend scheme. Mr. Nash said: “It is one of the most magnificent- conceptions that has yet been worked out. and Australia and New Zealand are 'tremendously appreciative of the help the United States . has given. The Dominions will do their full part to supply all the necessities in their power for the American forces.” Asked about a second front in Europe, Mr. Nash said he had bis own thoughts on this subject, but he left statements to those who were qualified to make them.