FAR EAST MISSION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 280, 26 November 1941, Page 10

FAR EAST MISSION

DUFF COOPER'S TOUR

IMPRESSED BY WAR EFFOR

"I have been greatly touched by the welcome I have received from large crowds here and in Wellington and Christchurch,'' said Air. A.

Duff Cooper, the British Minister,

when he returned to Auckland after conferring with the Government in continuation of the mission he undertook to the Far East. "I regret that I cannot stay longer and see more of the country and the people," he added. "My stav in the Dominion has been so brief that I have been unable to see much of the country's war effort, but from what I have heard it impresses me as being considerable."

Mr. Duff Cooper said he had found that New Zealanders were keenly interested in how Britain was faring. Everywhere he had been asked questions about conditions in England. It was obvious that a large number of the people had friends or relatives there.

Referring to his mission. Mr. Duff Cooper said he had had discussions with the Cabinet and the War Cabinet and he and the Government had been in full agreement. He would not say whether his visit to New Zealand would affect his report to the British Government on centralising authority in the Far East. The Minister arrived in Auckland by motor car. He was accompanied by Lady Diana Cooper and Lieu-tenant-Colonel L. B. Robertson, a member of his staff. The party returned by way of Rotorua, the trip from Wellington to Auckland being accomplished in one day. Wellington was left at 7 a.m. and Auckland was reached at 10.30 p.m. Mr. Duff Cooper has made five public speeches since his arrival last Friday. He is returning to Singapore.