CONFERENCE IN INDIA

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23132, 23 September 1940, Page 1 (Supplement)

CONFERENCE IN INDIA

EMPIRE ECONOMIC

PROBLEMS

N.Z. REPRESENTATIVES

APPOINTED

(rKKSS! ASSOCIATION- TELEGRAM.)

WELLINGTON, September 21

It was announced by the Prime Minister tthe Rt. Hon-. P. Fraser) that New Zealand will be represented at the economic conference of Empire countries to be held at Delhi at the end of October by Major-General Sir John Duigan, Chief of the General Staff, Mr F. R. Picot. Director of the Internal Marketing Department, Mr J. R. Middleton, Assistant-Secretary of Supply, Major H. Erridgc, Commanding Officer of the New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps, and Mr B. Taylor, assistant to the Chief Investigating Officer of the Treasury Department. The conference is. to be concerned principally with war supply matters. Its object is to ensure that the best possible use is made of all the existing and potential resources of eastern Empire countries' for the prosecution of the war. An increase in the production of war materials and the extension of the supply organisation of the Imperial Forces in the Near East are, therefore, the two principal topics for discussion. "With the interruption of Mediterranean communications,” added the Prime Minister, “it is essential that Empire countries on this side of Suez should develop and co-ordinate to the fullest possible extent their economic and military resources, and the New Zealand Government believes that, in addition to the immense benefits which will accrue to the war effort of the Empire as a whole, the proposed arrangements will be of considerable value to the defence of this country as well.” j