CHARGE NOT CORRECT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20915, 15 October 1942, Page 3

CHARGE NOT CORRECT

MR. FRASER’S COMMENT POSITION EXPLAINED MR. NASH’S PRIOR- CLAIM (P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. Commenting on Mr. F. ’ Langstone’s statement cabled from Ottawa, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, said that Mr. Langstone’s resignation nad been under consideration by the Government and was accepted and it had been agreed that he should return, to New Zealand in accordance with his wishes. Mr. Langstone’s complaint that Mr. Nash had been appointed Minister to the United States although definite arrangements had been made for his own appointment was certainly not correct. Mr. Langstone had been asked to go to Washington on a trade mission as head of which he remained in the United'States for the latter part of 1941 and had carried out a number of duties, including attendance at the International Labour Conference at New York. ’ Mr. Fraser said it was true that he had proposed, subject to Cabinet approval, to offer Mr. Langstone the post of Minister at Washington, but the rapid deterioriation of the position in the Pacific had made it necessary to have a Minister who was thoroughly conversant with developments in the • Pacific and was fully informed of the Government’s outlook and defence policy. It had been decided that Mr. Nash should undertake the duty and he had sent a telegram to Mr. Langstone explaining the position. Mr. Langstone gave no indication that he objected, but shortly after Mr. Nash reached Washington Mr. Fraser learned that Mr. Langstone resented the appointment and felt that lie had been unfairly treated. Mr. Fraser had then informed Mr. Langstone that the Cabinet was considering a suggestion that he should accept a High Commissionership. Shortly after Mr. Nash had arrived at Washington the proposal to form a Far Eastern Council in London had come up and as it would be necessary to send Mr. Nash there Mr. Langstone was asked if he would be Minister at Washington until Mr. Nash returned and he agreed to accept the post. The appointment would have been made if it had not been for the reversal of the decision and a Pacific War Council was established in Washington. Mr. Langstone then accepted the High Commissionership in Canada for a term of three years. Mr Fraser concluded by saying that in the hour of national danger personal interests and feelings were relatively unimportant and it was the clear duty of everyone to co-operate with the Government and perform the duty to which he was assigned.