HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 162, 22 April 1942, Page 2

HIGH COMMISSIONER.

APPOINTMENT TO CANADA. POST FOR HON. F. LANGSTONE. (P.A.) WELLINGTON. April 21. “As a complimentary step to the appointment of Dr. W. A. Riddell as Canadian High Commissioner in New Zealand, the Government has decided to appoint the Hon. F. Langstone as New Zealand High Commissioner in Canada,” said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P'. Fraser) to-day. Mr Fraser added that the question of overseas representation of New Zealand and the need for improving the means of communication between New Zealand and the other Dominions, particularly in view of the present crisis, had been, under consideration for some time. As the war situation in. the Pacific became more intensified and widespread, the mutual interests of Canada and New Zealand must inevitably become closer. Mr Langstone, who has been in the United States since June last, would take up his appointment immediately. The question of New Zealand representation in Australia was also receiving consideration by the ■Government. Mr Fraser also said that Canada was not only a large producer of munitions and war materials and the centre of the Empire air training scheme, in which New Zealand had been so closely interested, Lgit as a Pacific country she was also vitally concerned in the strategic and political questions affecting the area. “There is no need to stress the increasing importance of the ties and mutual interests binding the British and Allied countries in the Pacific,” he added, “and our own representation in Ottawa, as in Washington, under these circumstances has become a matter of urgent necessity. I am certain that this development will prove of unquestionable value to New Zealand, serving as it must, to strengthen at this most critical period the means of intercourse and co-operation between the two Dominions. “Mr W. L. Mackenzie King, in welcoming t-his appointment, expressed his satisfaction that Canada and New Zealand should now* have reciprocal representation in their respective capitals, and also his hope, which I heartily endorse, that it may continue to be of growing assistance in our joint prosecution of the war effort. “As head of the New Zealand Supply Mission to the United States, Mr Langstone has carried out most useful and important work on behalf of the Dominion. In addition to undertaking important trade negotiations to North America, Mr Langstone represented the Dominion to the; International Labour Conference, held in New York towards the end of last year, and he also signed on behalf of the Dominion the United Nations’ Declaration: in Washington in January last.”