FRENCH AND N.Z. RELATIONS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14571, 15 January 1948, Page 5

FRENCH AND N.Z. RELATIONS

EXAMPLE TO REST OF WORLD

ADDRESS BY CHARGE D'AFFAIRES

Relations between France and New Zealand continued to develop in "the most favourable and friendly manner," declared the French Charge d'Affaires (M. Henri Rollet 1 ), v/hen addressing the French community in Wellington. He made special mention of the credit arrangement between the two Governments which had operated to the advantage of French Wool buyers in the Dominion. The lifting of the restriction on visas, continued M. Rollet, was another step in the avoidance of formalities and barriers which had been deemed necessary in troubled times, and indicated that the friendliest relations existed between the two countries. "May these first steps be followed by many others," said M. Rollet, who also made reference to the special interest that his Minister (M. Armand Gazel), who is now in France, had taken in the expansion of cultural relations between the Dominion and his own country. Six New Zealand students were now studying in France, and he believed that their presence there would do much to interpret the viewpoints of the two countries. The Legation in Wellington, he added, was continuing with its work of popularising French literature. If such relations as existed between France and New Zealand were to be found elsewhere in the world, M. Rollet concluded, there would be no occasion to give diplomats grey hair. "But, unfortunately, that is not the case, he added.