HIGH TRIBUTE PAID

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 219, 15 September 1945, Page 7

HIGH TRIBUTE PAID

LEGATION SECRETARY IN U.S. EARLY CRITICISM RETRACTED Parliamentary Reporter. WELLINGTON, this day. A tribute to the anility of Mr. John Reid, the first secretary at the New Zealand legation in Washington was forthcoming from Mr. Doidge (Nat., Tauranga), in the House of Representatives yesterday during discussion on the Dominion's representation abroad.

Mr. Doidge said there had been some criticism of Mr. Reid's appointment, and he himself had been oneof his early critics, but he had had an opportunity to meet Mr. Reid and get to know him, and from him there would be no further criticism. Mr. Reid was a very able man and was doing a very good job. He also eulogised the work of other Dominion representatives in Washington and London.

Turning to buildings, rhe said the New Zealand offices in Washington were good, but the High Commissioner's office in London was dirty and crowded. The Prime Minister, he said, agreed that it was not worthy of the country.

"While we are faced with a much bigger estimate in the matter of legations, nevertheless this is a time when, if we are to play our part in world events, we have to acknowledge that we must spend more," added Mr. Doidge, "but Vdo suggest we are justified in claiming that money should be well spent."

The Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr. Sullivan, complimented Mr. Doidge on his reference to Mr. Reid. He thanked him for his remarks in view of the critical remarks about Mr. Reid expressed in the House from the Opposition side.