RESIGNATION OF MR LANGSTONE

Southland Times, 16 October 1942, Page 4

RESIGNATION OF MR LANGSTONE

Prime Minister’s Comment (P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 15. Commenting on the Hon. F. Langstone’s statement on his resignation from the post of High Commissioner to Canada, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, said Mr Langstone’s resignation had been Under consideration by the Government and 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 deterioration 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 he had been unfairly treated. Mr Fraser had then informed Mr Langstone that the Cabinet was considering a suggestion that he should accept a high commisionership.