JOURNALISTS ON TOUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 August 1940, Page 5

JOURNALISTS ON TOUR

AMERICANS WELCOMED AT CANBERRA TALK OF POST-WAR POSSIBILITIES. WIDER TRADE RELATIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) CANBERRA, August 20. The visiting American journalists yesterday morning flew from Sydnej' to the Federal capital, for breakfast with the Governor-General, Lord Gowrie, and later met members of the Federal Cabinet and representatives of the Press Gallery at morning tea. Then they spent 'naif an hour with the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Curtin. They next had an hour's conference with the Prime Minister (Mr Menzies) who gave them a thorough conception of the Government’s view of Australia’s position in the general picture of Pacific strategy. Mr Roy Howard plied a series of questions about post-war possibilities of wide trade agreements between the English-speaking nations, suggesting a Customs union between Australia and New Zealand, as a possible starting point. Mr Menzies disclosed the difficulties which had prevented this action in the past, citing the political influence of the Australian potato-grower against New Zealand importations of potatoes and said it was a question of balancing Australia’s desires against practical politics, but as the result of a close war collaboration he could foresee a possible closer Customs arrangement in the future.

The Americans are looking and feeling a little jaded after a strenuous tour since leaving their own country but all say they can take it. The party next go to Victoria.

VISIT TO VICTORIA DESIRE TO SEE "SLEEP STATION." (Received This Day. 9 a.m.) • MELBOURNE, This Day. The visiting United States journalists arrived here by air from Canberra, at 5 p.m. yesterday. They were met by State Ministers and officials, but had no engagements last night. Today they visit the A.I.F. camp al Puckapunyal and later will see a typical Victoria sheep station. On Thursday they will fly to Brisbane direct. They are showing signs of exhaustion from their strenuous tour. When told yesterday that they were to inspect a sheep station, one exclaimed: "Sheep station! AH we want to see is a sleep station.”