TRIP ABROAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 47, 25 February 1935, Page 9

TRIP ABROAD.

MR. COATES WILL GO. IF MEAT CONFERENCE HELD. MB. FORBES SAILS APRIL 2. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this clay. It can now be stated definitely that Mr. Coates will visit England if a formal conference is called by the British authorities in connection with the meat levy issue, but the Minister of Finance will not leave New Zealand at the same time as the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes. The probability is that such a gathering, if summoned, will be held about June.

There is a strong lobby opinion in Parliament circles that Mr. Coates, in the light of his Ottawa experience and his acknowledged grasp of the intricacies of meat negotiation, should be present if and when the problem is discussed in England. Other reports to the contrary, notwithstanding, the Finance Minister will be prepared to go Home if circumstances warrant the trip, and in this attitude he has the strong support of his Cabinei colleagues, some of whom consider that advance arrangements should be made for him to make a hurried trip to London. The possibility of his utilising for that purpose available airway services has been mentioned, but of course nothing definite has been decided yet.

It was announced officially to-day that Mr. Forbes will make his trip to England of the liner Aorangi, which is scheduled to leave Auckland for Vancouver on April 2.