MR CHIFLEY AND MR FRASER

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25380, 31 December 1947, Page 4

MR CHIFLEY AND MR FRASER

MEETING YESTERDAY AT HOSPITAL

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 30. A discussion lasting about one hour and a half took place at Lewisham Hospital this afternoon between the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr J. B. Chifley) and the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser). A Government spokesman said later that the two Prime Ministers had a general discussion on economic and financial questions, and an interchange of views on the world situation generally.

Also present at the meeting were the Secretary to the Treasury (Mr B. C. Ashwin) and the Secretary of External Affairs (Mr A. D. Mclntosh).

Mr Fraser was allowed to leave his bed for the occasion, and he walked along a corridor to a separate room where the party met and had afternoon tea. Mr Fraser returned to his bed after the meeting, and was not available for an interview. Interviewed after the meeting. Mr Chifley said he was merely on a holiday. “The discussions were very satisfactory. and that is about all I can say,” he added. “We did not agree on everything, but you could not expect that.” While at the hospital Mr Chifley called on Mrs Nash, wife of the Minister of Finance (Mr W. Nash). She has been in hospital since the end of November, receiving treatment for arthritis. Mr Chifley had three hours in Wellington. After travelling from Whenuapai to Paraparaumu in a Royal New Zealand Air Force Dakota aircraft, he came to Wellington by car. He went to Government House, where he had lunch with the Governor-General (Sir Bernard Freyberg). After lunch, he visited the hospital. On the outskirts of the official group which welcomed Mr Chifley was Mr W. J. Stone, manager of the Wanganui Gas Works, a boyhood friend of Mr Chifley. Although they last met more than 30 years ago. Mr Chifley recognised Mr Stone immediately, and with outstretched hand advanced and greeted him warmly. Mr Stone, who came down from Wanganui earlier in the morning to meet Mr Chifley, with whom he played in a football team in Bathurst, came to New Zealand in 1906 and last saw Mr Chifley when on a holiday visit to Bathurst in 1913. Reminiscences of their boyhood days were exchanged by the two as they sat together in the back seat of an official car on the trip from Paraparaumu to Wellington.

THANKS EXPRESSED FOR HOSPITALITY

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, December 30. Warm thanks for the hospitality extended during his stay, and admiration for the cities, scenic resorts, and general countryside of New Zealand were expressed by the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr J. B. Chifley) in a farewell message. Mr Chifley and his party are to leave by air from Whenuapai at 10 o’clock on Thursday morning, and are expected to reach Sydney about six hours later.

“Before leaving, I desire to express sincere thanks for the generous hospitality extended to us by the New Zealand Government and by the people whom we met.” said Mr Chifley. “We have air been very much impressed by your beautiful countryside and its great productivity. I tender to the people of New Zealand my best wishes for the coming year.” Asked how ne planned to spend his last day in New Zealand. Mr Chifley said he had no fixed intentions. He would probably “see a race or two” of the Auckland Trotting Club’s programme at Epson!.