PETROV INQUIRY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27427, 13 August 1954, Page 10

PETROV INQUIRY

“ CLOSE WATCH ” BY N.Z. OFFICIALS COMMENT BY MR G. L. ALDERTON (New Zealand Press Association) . AUCKLAND, August 12; New Zealand officials had been watching the Petrov inquiry closely, but “as far as we can find, nothing in it will affect us directly,” said Mr G. L. Aiderton, New Zealand High Commissioner in Australia, tonight. He and his wife have arrived in Auckland for a month’s holiday in the Dominion. “I have spent two or three days at the inquiry.’’ he said, “and my official secretary has been at each day’s hearMr Aiderton said he could predict that the Budget to be presented by the Federal Treasurer (Sir Arthur Fadden) next Wednesday would not be spectacular. “Australia’s economy is facing some real embarrassments,” he said. “The Government is faced with a very big defence expenditure to meet its South-east Asia commitments. “Australia’s export trade is also becoming more and more difficult. Because of her high costs of production, Australia is finding it hard to compete. There are huge surpluses this year in dried fruit, wines, and wheat.” Mr Aiderton will stay for a week in Auckland, and then will spend about a week in Wellington. He will report directly to the Government before returning to Auckland for the rest of his holiday.