NEW POST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 129, 14 March 1939, Page 3

NEW POST

SIR H. BATTERBEE WELCOMED. VALUE OF PERSONAL CONTACTS. (Per Press Association), WELLINGTON, March 13. The importance of personal contacts between Great Britain and the other partners in the British Commonwealth of Nations was the keynote of speeches made at the civic reception given today to the newly-appointed High Commissioner for Britain in New Zealand, Sir Harry Batterbee, and Lady Batterbee. There was a large and representative attendance of citizens. The Mayor (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) who presided, recalled earlier visits which Sir Harry had paid to New Zealand, and said that - the knowledge lie had gained then, as well as his other outstanding qualities, peculiarly fitted him for the office he had been called on to fill. His presence in New Zealand would ensure personal contact between this country and Britain, and Mr Hislop was certain that this contact would he of inestimable value to the Dominion. The Minister for Education (the Hon. P. Fraser) said the Government was very pleased to be able to welcome to New Zealand the direct representative of his Majesty’s Government in Great Britain. The desirability of increasing Imperial contacts had become very apparent to New Zealand and the New i Zealand Government, and it was impossible to over-emphasise the advantages of personal contact with a representative of the British Government in the important, intricate, and delicate matters which came up for consideration almost daily. After referring to the almost hourly communications which came from Britain during the September crisis last year, Mr Fraser added that it would be an added advantage to have someone who understood the various problems ''and could interpret more correctly and more intimately the communications which came to hand. That was an important function that Sir Harry had been called on to discharge in New Zealand. He hoped that Sir Harry and Lady Batterbee would have a very pleasant time in New Zealand, and also he looked forward to benefiting very greatly from the extensive knowledge which Sir Harry possessed.

Sir Harry Batterbee thanked the Mayor and Mr Fraser for the welcome, and stated that before his departure he had been graciously received by their Majesties the King and Queen both of whom had recalled their visit to New Zealand. As the Mayor and Mr Fraser had pointed out, he said, the purpose of his appointment was to he an additional link between the United Kingdtom and New Zealand, for the purpose of supplementing the information which came through official channels, and to establish personal contacts between the two Governments. In a word? his mission was to he the interpreter of the mind of one government to the other. That should not he a difficult task, seeing that they were so close together in outlook and ideals. Dispatches ana telegrams could never take the place ‘of personal discussions. It was only by personal discussions and “threshing things out” that agreement could he reached.