HON. P. C. WEBB RETURNS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24750, 15 December 1945, Page 6

HON. P. C. WEBB RETURNS

FAST FLIQHT FROM ENGLAND IMPRESSIONS OF VISIT OVERSEAS (P.A.) _ WELLINGTON, Dec. 14. After a journey of four days nine hours from England, the Minister of Labour and Mines (the Hon. P. C. Webb) arrived back in New Zealand ttiis"afterhoon in the Royal Air Force Transport Command 'Skyraasler aircraft piloted by Wihg Commander J. Adams, of Christchurch. The Skymaster left England at 5 p.m. (G.M.T.) last Sunday and reached Whenuapai at 2.5 p.m. to-day. Mr Webb then transferred to a Lodestar in which he travelled to Paraparaumu and came on to Wellington by car, arriving in the city early this evening. The Minister left New Zealand three months ago to lead the New Zealand delegation to the conference of the International Labour Office ih Paris. He was threatened With appendicitis on his way to the conference and was under observation in hospital in America for several days, but the necessity for surgical intervention was averted. In London he underwent an operation for the removal of his left eye, which had been causing him considerable trouble for sohie hionths be* fore his departure from NeW Zealand. The actual flying time of the Skymaster on the return trip was 68 hours 30 minutes, and the distance covered was 14,452 miles. Stops were made at Habit Sale (French Morocco), Cairo; Karachi, Colombo, Cocos Island, Perth, and Melbourne, Which was left at daybreak this morning. The Skymastef Will take the Prime Minister and his parly to London for the first meeting of the General Assembly on the Uhited Nations Organisation. Mr Webb, in an interview this 1 evening, said that more than 46 nations were represented at the conference of the International Labour Office, and there Were about 500 delegates arid advisers, great unanimity being expressed by the representatives of all countries, especially those from downtrodden and oppressed lands, who were looking to Britain and .the democracies tor their salvation. He said Europe Was generally in a very unsettled state, caused largely by the shortage of food. The conference was strictly one of progress and unanimity. The International Labour Office was destined to play an important part in the development of world peate. Delegates felt that how was the hour for unity of a ki ?f. He felt tha t contnbiltion would be of immense value to the United Nations* Organisation All delegates were most emphatic that industrial unrest would prove fatal to recovery from the effects of war and a PP etUi "g to all their affiliated bodies to engender a spirit of ihdiVidual unity. He believed the orgdnfor h good ad n ucleus of great power

France was m a bad way, and there uncertain spirit everywhere nn rn 2 Continent. However, he Was confident—with such a body as the 1.L.0 to engender a spirit of fraternity the nations would be able to overcome their immediate difficulties. vei( ' ume England a Beacon ’ la k a . n Jjis travels he felt that Engrp"td out a s a beacon light to the rest of the world for orocress ahH Britain Ind R St * r . y ) vas going ahead in B ™ in - J Rationing was very strict ?, nd f ° od f w as generally short. J n the Hinr /- of C °n ;lm J Dns he heai-d Mr Arthur Greenwood, Lord Privy Seal wnnffi™ th .at essential commodities ? lther owned or controlled by the State. Although Mr Webb’did not have ah opportunity to meet thr Minister (Mr C. R. Attlee), he keard him speak on two occasions and met most of* Jus Ministers, as well as Mr m w o h S ii of the Labour Govetnment. Mr Webb said he was impressed by the enthusiasm of the Ministers to problems Unemployment an d housing

the Foreign Secretary (Mr Ernest Bevm) was'generally admitted to be doing his job well. Speeches of mehibers and Cabinet Ministers made it j-ro 1 " 1 m order to overcome her difficulties, Britain would have to adopt measures fbr Socialisation in connexion witn monopolies and encourage the small business class to share in distnbutiph td a greater extent. The Ministers were' satisfied that monopolies Were responsible, to a large extent, for unemployment and general economic chaos.

The tone of England seemed to be one of progress, and such things as tak* mg over the Bank of England met with little opposition, while the statement that mines were to be taken over by the nation to produce and conserve coai was greeted hi the House with cheers, both sides of the House being largely in agreement on this proposal. New Zealand’s soldiers, sailors, and airmen have created a wonderful impression in every country I visited.” said Mr Webb. “Their name ranks mt ry both as fi ghters and citizens. The New Zealanders I met overseas, including members of the forces, also consider New Zealand was very fortunate in securing the services of General Freyberg as its next GovernorGeneral,”