MR CASEY’S POST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 January 1940, Page 5

MR CASEY’S POST

APPOINTMENT AS MINISTER TO WASHINGTON IMPROVED UNDERSTANDING ANTICIPATED. MR MENZIES BROADCASTS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 9.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, January 8. In a national broadcast to America and Japan last night on Mr R. G. Casey’s appointment as Minister to Washington, the Prime Minister (Mr R. G. Menzies) explained that the object was to bring about a better understanding of the problems between Australia and the United States, to increase diplomatic contact between nations around the Pacific, to heighten the friendship of the English-speaking nations and to play a still greater part towards the peace of the world. The presence of an Australian minister in Washington, far from weakening the position of the British Empire, would tend to strengthen it. AMERICAN COMMENT HOPE OF BETTER TRADE AGREEMENT. PROBLEMS OF RECIPROCITY. (Received This Day, 9.15 a.m.) NEW YORK. January 8. Commenting on Mr Casey's appointment the “Journal of Commerce” states that the hope is expressed that by this means trade relations, which in the past have been somewhat strained, apparently due to a lack of real appreciation of the economy of the two countries, will be greatly improved. However, a move toward entering upon a trade _ agreement with Australia. which will involve the question of a tariff on clothing wools, perhaps butter and other agricultural products, is not. expected at present, since it is believed it would make difficult the task of the administration leaders in Congress, who are endeavouring to extend the expiring Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act into law. U.S.A. MINISTER VETERAN DIPLOMAT GOING TO AUSTRALIA. (Received This Day, 9.15 a.m.) WASHINGTON, January 8. President Roosevelt has nominated Mr Clarence E. Gauss, the veteran American Consul-General at Shanghai, as the first United States Minister to Australia.