Former National M.P. given top Ottawa post

Press, 2 October 1979, Page 1

Former National M.P. given top Ottawa post

PA ~ Wellington The former National member of Parliament for Marlborough, Mr E. G. Latter has been named as the next New Zealand High Commissioner in Ottawa. Mr Latter, a farmer, was elected to Parliament in 1975, He seemed destined for a successful political career when he surprised everyone by announcing his retirement shortly before the General Election campaign opened last year. He will replace Mr D. J. Eyre, and is expected to take up his appointment early next year.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Talboys) made the announcement yesterday.

At the same time, Mr Talboys said that Mr J. H. Weir, New Zealand’s Ambassador to Moscow, would replace Mr E. H. Halstead as Ambassador to Rome. Mr Halstead and Mr Eyre, are both former National Cabinet Ministers. Mr Eyre had a previous term in Ottawa before being appointed again by the present Government. Mr Halstead was previously Ambassador to Bangkok.

Mr Weir is a career diplomat. Mr Taiboys said Mr Latter’s appointment coincided with an important phase in New Zealand’s relations with Canada. The Canada-New Zealand trade agreement, which had provided the base for substantial growth in trade, was due to be renegotiated soon.

While New Zealand and Canada shared a long tradition of friendship and co-operation, there had sometimes been a ten-

dency to take each other for granted.

“We need to ensure that we both do ail that we can to develop the relationship fully,” Mr Talboys said. “I believe that Mr Latter, with his experience in Parliament on a wide range of matters, and his backgrounds as a farmer and an active member in farming organisations, is well qualified to give impetus to that development,” Mr Taiboys said.

While he was in Parliament Mr Latter was chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence, and a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Statutes Revision Committee, the Public Expenditure Committee, and the Human Rights Committee.

Mr Latter, aged 51, is married, with three child-

Mr Weir, aged 57, joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1947 and has served as High Commissioner in both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in addition to his present appointment as Ambassador to Moscow. He has also held a number of senior positions in the Ministry. He is married, with four children. With the announcement of his posting to Ottawa, Mr Latter becomes the sixth member of the 197578 National Government to be given a job after retirement or defeat at the polls last November.

He will receive about 825,000 a year as High Commissioner, together

with location allowances and allowances related to the job. Other political appointments announced this year are:

— Mr W. R. Fenton, defeated member of Parliament for Hastings, deputy chairman of the Earthquake and War Damage Commission.

— Miss Colleen Dewe, defeated member of Parliament for Lyttelton, Commerce Commission. —Mr L. R. Gandar, defeated member of Parliament for Rangitikei, High Commissioner in London. —Mr H. J. Walker, defeated member of Parliament for Papanui, Accident Compensation Commission.

— Mr B. S. G. Lambert, defeated member of Parliament for Western Hutt, film censorship board of review.