SELECTION DEFENDED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21113, 5 June 1943, Page 2

SELECTION DEFENDED

WASHINGTON ATTACHE COL. PHARAZYN’S POST (P.R.) WELLINGTON, June 5. Criticising the oppointment of Lieutenant-Colonel W. N. Pharazyh as military attache to the New Zealand Legation in Washington, Mr. F. W. Doidge (Nat. Tauranga), speaking on the External Affairs Bill in the House of Representatives yesterday, said he could not believe it was right that Colonel Pharazyn should have a job of that distinction. In New Zealand he had been regarded as a leading Communist and they did not like Communists in the United States. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, replied that Colonel Pharazyn was a distinguished soldier in the last war, after which he had been engaged on foreign diplomacy in Turkey. Nobody could doubt his ability. Nobody in New Zealand was more suited for the appointment as military attache in Washington and the appointment was made, not from the Public Service, but from the army. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland: Did the army select him?

The Prime Minister: No, the Minister selected him,

Neither the army nor any of the services were going to select attaches, continued the Prime Minister. The army certainly recognised the ability of Colonel Pharazyn, who was probably one of the ablest artillery officers in this -country. Besides that, he had a full knowledge of military equipment. From w:hat he knew of Washington there could be no better • appointment. He was not aware that Colonel Pharazyn was known as a prominent Communist, but he did know that lately he was a prominent anti-Communist. but that was not the point; the point \yas what was he was now? Was he helping the war? Colonel Pharazyn was a man whom he would stand up to defend at any time and he would also justiry his appointment.