WORLD-WIDE DESIRE FOR PEACE

Grey River Argus, 6 April 1948, Page 5

WORLD-WIDE DESIRE FOR PEACE

AUCKLAND, April 5 “'Most of the people we saw in the 27 countries we have visited since January 13 did not regard war as inevitable—the desire for peace seemed to be universal, said Mr D. r. Davis, oublic relations officer with a party of American businessmen on the Atlas Sky Merchant—“ The Flying Showroom” —in an n verview. The planes leaves to-morrow morning for San Francisco on the last stage of a 45,000-mile flight embracing South America, Africa, Asia, the Far East and Australia. Mr Davis added that everywhere there was vivid interest in the Marshall Plan to help nations to revive. People they met considered war would not come if the Allied Powers remained on guard and did not relax their efforts to find solutions for the present world problems. Both Mr Davis and Mr F. H. Bedford, the leader of the party, were delighted with New Zealand and its people. Mr Bedford emphasised the need for free trade between New Zealand and the United States, which should be possible when the present crisis was surmounted and artificial restrictions were removed. The Atlas Skymaster, throughout the 38,000 miles already has not been, behind schedule.