LIAISON VISIT

Evening Star, Issue 23694, 30 September 1940, Page 2

LIAISON VISIT

ARMY AND AIR CHIEFS RETURN [Pee United Press Association.] . WELLINGTON, September 29. Well satisfied with the'result of their mission, Major-general Sir John Duigan, chief of tlie General Staff, and Group-captain H. W. L. Saunders, chief of the Air Staff, returned to-day by tho Hying boat Awarua from a brief visit to Australia. Tho object of the visit was to promote closer co-opera-tion in the war effort of the two countries, and both officers spoke gratefully of the ready helpfulness of all with whom they had been associated in Australia. “ Tho visit will lead to closer cooperation in our plans and in every other way,” said Sir John Duigan. “ Wo found everyone most hospitable and helpful, from the Governor-General, Lord Gowrie, downwards. They could not do enough for us.” Sir John spent a considerable part of his time at Army Headquarters in Melbourne in discussions with the General Staff, and he also visited the Duntroon Military College, whore he found that 16 New Zealand boys were doing very tfell, and had won a good name for themselves. Sir John found the Australian authorities very wide awake to the needs of tho present situation, and most eager for co-operation with New Zealand. “ A great many of them were commenting on the grand effort New Zealand is making, and so we are,” ho said. Group-captain Saunders feels that tho contacts ho made with the Australian Air Force authorities will certainly bo most helpful. They have a, very big Empire air training scheme in foroo there, he said, and he visited a number of the larger stations. “ There are a lot of things wo can learn from them,” he said, “ and some perhaps they could learn from us. Their aircraft industry appears to bo expanding rapidly. We had useful discussions on 'the details of co-opera-tion. Tho visit has been a great success, and I hope some of their representatives will be able to return it.” Sir John Duigan and Group-captain Saunders returned to Wellington by train to-night, and will present their reports to tho War Cabinet at an early opportuniy.