BUSY WEEK FOR MR NASH

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21991, 15 January 1937, Page 12

BUSY WEEK FOR MR NASH

PROGRESS OF MISSION IN BRITAIN I'ART IN CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS (,I'UJ.M OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, December 16. The last week has been a busy one for the New Zealand Minister for Finance and for Marketing (Mr W. Nash), and the hours of work have been long. Conferences with representatives of commerce, finance, and politics have been continued, and although meetings with British Cabinet Ministers over New Zealand's reciprocal trade proposals had to be postponed temporarily because of the constitutional crisis, Mr Nash had to be constantly in readiness for summonses to Downing Street. He was called there several times because of the crisis.

He was present at the House of Commons when the abdication of King Edward VIII. was announced. On Saturday, Mr Nash represented New Zealand at the meeting of the Accession Council and signed the Proclamation of King George VI. on behalf of the Dominion. His signature appears between that of Sir Austen Chamberlain and that of Mr R. A. Eden. The High Commissioner (Mr W. J. Jordan) was also invited to be present, but it was not practicable for him to return in time from Geneva, where he was attending an important meeting of the council of the League of Nations on the question of Spain. Mr Nash was presented to his Majesty. Comment on Crisis Asked subsequently by the British press for any comments he had to make on the crisis, Mr Nash expressed his sorrow at the passing from the Throne of King Edward VIII., with whom he had had an audience two weeks previously. Mr Nash said that it should be unnecessary for him to add that the Ministers, Parliament, and people of New Zealand extended every possible good wish for future happiness to the former King Edward—and his brother, the present Sovereign. Commenting on the accession of King George VI., Mr Nash said that the present King and Queen brought to New Zealand many happy- memories of their visit nine years ago. Mr Nash added that the crisis had brought the principles of Britain's limited monarchy before the people of the Commonwealth more clearly than ever before. "It is now completely recognised that the procedure and final -voice in the government of the people is with the elected parliaments and chosen Ministers," said Mr Nash. "This extends rather than reduces the love and respect that the people of the Commonwealth and Empire has for the Royal Family and its central personality, the King." In the afternoon, he and Mrs Nash were present at the reading of the Proclamation of his Majesty's accession at St. James' Palace. Mr Nash's negotiations with the British Government on New Zealand reciprocal trade proposals, especially those about marketing of meat, were resumed yesterday and continued tdMay. As the guests of the 1 Overseas League, Mr and Mrs Nash received a warm welcome from New Zealanders in London and from others. In a brief speech, the Minister explained the programme of the New Zealand Government and the object of his mission to this country. Yesterday, in addition to trade discussions with representatives of the British Governments, there was a visit of inspection to the British Broadcasting Corporation's premises and a visit to the House of Commons. At the House of Commons, Mr Nash addressed members on "New Zealand's Recent Legislation and the Dominion's Outlook on World Affairs." Since his arrival in London he has received many callers interested in trade between the United Kingdom and New Zealand.