Knighthood for man in U.S.

Press, 19 October 1977, Page 18

Knighthood for man in U.S.

From

JOHN HUTCHISON

in San Francisco

Dr John B. Condliffe,

who had already won world renown as a New Zealand economist before he came to the United States after World War 11, eventually to adopt American citizenship, will be invested here with honours from the Queen late in November. The unusual ceremony, in which the New Zealand Ambassador to the United States, Mr Lloyd White, will represent Her Majesty, will take place in the presence of the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) who, if present plans hold firm, will at that time be visiting San Francisco.

Mr Muldoon’s American trip, originally arranged for December, is believed to have been rescheduled because of the recent announcement that President Carter will go abroad during the period when Mr Muldoon had intended to be in Washington.

Dr Condliffe will receive the order of Knight Commander of the Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George. The ceremony is expected to take place in San Francisco’s Bohemian Club, of which Dr Condliffe is a member.

The Australian-born economist, educated at Canterbury and Cambridge

Universities has been a . confidant and consultant to prime ministers and leaders of both mam political parties in New Zealand for 40 years. Now : nearly 86 years old, he retired only two years ago. Dr and Mrs Condliffe ' have made their home in a San Francisco suburb since he retired from his most recent career, in 1975, at Stanford Research Institute. Mr Muldoon’s visit to northern California will be crammed with activity. He will attend a luncheon and sit in on a working session of the Chamber of Commerce, visit a huge nuclear laboratory, and call on California’s Governor Jerry Brown, at th» state capital, Sacramento, all on November 23, using a helicopter and a private aircraft to reach his farflung appointments. American Thanksgiving Day, a national holiday, is on November 24, and the Prime Minister will probably be the guest of Mr . Fred Holmes, a friend, at an estate in the wine !- country.

Before his departure from San Francisco on ■ November 25, Mr Muldoon will meet members of the consular and business , community and attend thß * ceremony at which Dr ! Condliffe receives the ■ K.C.M.G.