ANOTHER JAUNT OVERSEAS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 259, 31 July 1942, Page 4

ANOTHER JAUNT OVERSEAS

No one can question the seriousness of the position which confronts the Allies in consequence of the shortage of rubber and rubber goods. The chief sources of world supplies of rubber are now in enemy hands, and New Zealand, in common with other nations, will be forced to economize and use every possible means within her power to overcome the difficulties which lie ahead. It is with this idea in view no doubt that it has been decided —presumably by the War Administration—to dispatch a special envoy overseas to secure v if possible “sufficient rubber to carry the transport of this country.” This looks very like another of those steps which from time to time Ministers rush into in an excess of zeal without any careful study either of ■ the drain on the public purse or the ends likely to be

achieved. Why, lor, example, should it be necessary to send from New Zealand a special “envoy” on a task of this nature ? The Dominion already has its representatives overseas, and on the spot as it were, specially appointed to deal with matters of this nature. In London there is the establishment under the control of the High Commissioner, with a large staff costing the country many thousands of pounds annually, which surely could do all that is required to make the necessary inquiries in the Mother Country. Recently at a cost of many additional thousands a year an establishment was created at Washington under Mr. Nash, which was expected, among other things, to carry out, in the United States, such investigations as are involved in relation to the rubber shortage. At Ottawa, too, there is Mr. Langstone and his staff being maintained at a substantial cost to investigate and advise regarding conditions in Canada. _ Between them by the very nature of their work in the centres mentioned our present highly-paid representatives must have established the contacts necessary to. have the possibility of rubber supplies thoroughly examined. Is it not a part of their specific duties to investigate the prospects of obtaining—and as far as possible obtaining—the things most urgently required by the Dominion? It is difficult to see in what way a special envoy could achieve more than those who would have the weight of diplomatic authority behind them. In what way would a special envoy be able to tap sources of information, and obtain a greater measure of consideration in this particular matter, than those already on the spot, and probably acquainted with the men who might be in a position to assist ?