WARM WELCOME TO MR FRASER

Southland Times, Issue 24834, 28 August 1942, Page 4

WARM WELCOME TO MR FRASER

Visit To Washington (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, August 26. The New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr Peter Fraser, was enthusiastically welcomed at an air-port by many officials, including the Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, the British Ambassador, Lord Halifax, and the New Zealand Minister, Mr W. Nash. “I am very glad to be in Washington at this time,” said Mr Fraser. “I bring a message from the American boys down under. In the last few weeks I saw them in Australia and elsewhere. You can be certain they are doing their best. They are very efficient and on the friendliest terms with the people. They have created the finest impression and we love them very much. The American boys are doing admirable work in the Solomons, New Guinea and elsewhere. I can assure the parents that their boys are very highly regarded and well received everywhere.” Mr Fraser radiated energy, greeting everyone with a cheerful smile, despite a report - from other members of the party that they had been in the air for 60 hours. Mr Fraser was accompanied by the American Minister to New Zealand, Brigadier-General Patrick J. Hurley. Tonight he is attending a White House dinner and he will be an overnight guest of President Roosevelt. The President’s secretary, Mr Stephen Early, said that because of the Duke of Kent’s death the cancellation of the dinner was discussed, but after consulting the British Embassy it was decided to proceed and make the function informal and in the nature of a business meeting rather than a social function. MR CURTINUNLIKELY TO PAY VISIT (Rec. 7 p.m.) CANBERRA, August 27. The Prime Minister, Mr John Curtin, is not likely to visit Washington this year, says a political observer. One reason for not accepting the invitation is that he dislikes air travel. The Labour Party also ruled that the Prime Minister should not leave Australia in war time, but this objection could be overcome if Mr Curtin felt he should go. However, he is known to hold the sincere belief that his most important work lies in Australia.