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Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 December 1938, Page 7

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SIR HARRY BATTERBEE’S APPOINTMENT MORE COMPLETE CONTACT MADE NECESSARY. BY EXTENDING RANGE OF AFFAIRS. By Telegrapn—rress Association —Copyright. (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON. December 20. Sir Harry Batterbee, responding to Mr W. J. Jordan’s toast at the New Zealand Society’s farewell luncheon, said the appointment of a High Commissioner to New Zealand was not made because the present system had failed work or because relations between the United Kingdom and New Zealand were becoming more difficult, but- because the whole range of international -affairs had so increased that a new means of communication was necessary. The solution of problems by consultation must be extended and gaps between Imperial Conferences must be filled if the Empire was to progress. He paid a tribute to Mr Jordan’s help in his preparation for departure and said he hoped to make his house in Wellington a meeting place for the exchange of ideas, in order to equip himself as an ambassador in a wider sense. The Duke of Devonshire said that without minimising the work of the Governors-General, New Zealand would greatly benefit as a result of someone being at hand knowing the inner workings of the Government of Britain. ______________