“A MARVELLOUS FIGURE”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 78, 12 January 1949, Page 4

“A MARVELLOUS FIGURE”

Mr Fraser’s View of Eisenhower (Rec. 11.20 a.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. 11. Mr Peter Fraser (Prime Minister of New Zealand) to-day called on General Dwiglit Eiseuliower (president .of Columbia University) and the Mayor of New York (Mr William O’Dwyer). Mr Fraser told the Associated Press: “Eisenhower is a marvellous fellow. I had a tremendous opinion of him during the war and to-day’s talk impressed on me even more what a tremendous figure he is. We chatted in general terms about world affairs, and 1 was most impressed with the depth of his knowledge and understanding.” The New Zealand flag is flying from the Waldorf- Astoria hotel in honour of Mr Fraser’s visit.

Mr Fraser’s aeroplane, a TransCanada Airline’s Skymaster, had to circle the La Guardia field for 45 minutes yesterday waiting for a. break in the fog. Mr Fraser was greeted by the New Zealand Ambassador (Sir Carl Berendsen) and Lady Berendsen, the New Zealand Consul-General (Mr T. O. W. Brebner) and Mrs Brebner and Mr John O’Handley, a representative of the United States State Department.

In the customs waiting room the Prime Minister slumped on to a seat and said to Lady Berendsen, “I hope they have not too strenuous a programme arranged for me here. I feel wretched with this cold. I feel that if I have overmuch to do I will blow up like an atom bomb.” In Washington he will be the guest of Sir Carl and Lady Berendsen.