Mr Leavey Leaves With "Some Happy Memories”

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29724, 18 January 1962, Page 12

Mr Leavey Leaves With "Some Happy Memories”

(NZ. Press Association)

AUCKLAND, January 17.

Mr J. A. Leavey, M.P., and Mr A. Whittaker, directors of the Commonwealth Fabric Corporation, ‘left New Zealand from Whenuapai tonight on the first stage of their flight back to Britain.

They have been in New Zealand for seven weeks, most of this time engaged in discussions with the Government over the Nelson cotton mill agreement w’hich was terminated last Sunday.

Asked to comment on his stay Mr Leavey said: “It would perhaps be a discourtesy for me —a visitor who, in one sense at any rate, may be thought to have over-stayed his welcome —to try to give in a few sentences my impressions of New Zealand. ‘‘But I can say that Mr Whittaker and I will not just carry away sadness and disillusionment. We will have some happy memories of this visit because of the friendship and kindness which have been shown to us on all sides. “We had a chance during the Christmas holiday to see some of New Zealand's magnificent country, to revel in the sunshine and to have a go at some of the sporting amenities. We did some swimming, water ski-ing and stalking.

"In my case,” said Mr Leavey ruefully, “to say that I did any water ski-ing is stretching things a bit. All mine was done flat on my face, with my mouth full of water. I now understand this expression of being ‘down under’ when you are on this side of the world. “If you ask me about the Government of New Zealand. I will only say that I am now not sure how to sipell it.

“It seems to me that it should perhaps be spelled ‘Govanment.’ And that is no criticism of the president of the Textile and Garment Manufacturers’ Federation — quite the reverse.”

Mr L. H. Govan, president of the Textile and Garment Manufacturers’ Federation, strenuously opposed the cotton mill project.