Mr Gandar retired from politics

Press, 15 July 1982, Page 5

Mr Gandar retired from politics

NZPA staff correspondent' London New Zealand’s retiring High Commissioner, Mr L. W. Gandar, says he has no plan to return to politics, but he hopes to put his experience to use when he arrives home. "I am retired from politics." he told the NZPA. He sajd that he had not decided yet what he would do when he returned, to New Zealand in September. "But I hope I can find something where my experience can be of use." he said. Mr Gandar, who came to London in 1979 after losing his Rangitikei seat to the Social Credit leader, Mr Bruce Beetham, has a sheep farm at Feilding, and is a former chancellor of Massey University. Mr Gandar learned to speak Maori when he was Minister of Education, and frequently uses the language in speeches in London. He is also keenly interested in Maori carving. which he does at his Chelsea Square residence. One of Mr Gandar’s hardest tasks during his term as High Commissioner was occupying the “hot seat" at Marlborough House when Commonwealth representatives debated holding the~ Finance Ministers' meeting in Auckland last year, and New Zealand came under fire over the Springbok tour. He won considerable respect for the fair way he put New Zealand’s position. Mr Gandar was personally opposed to the tour, and critical of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and he privately told diplomatic colleagues how his own family in New Zealand was deeply divided over the tour. Recalling the tense Marlborough House meetings, Mr Gandar said: “I think New Zealand came out of it relatively better'than might have been expected. But. that had nothing to do with me."

Talking to Britons and others about New Zealand’s multi-cultural society has been something Mr Gandar sees as one of the more important aspects of his job. "It .was not just platitudes,” he said. “I have tried to put New' Zealand’s record straight in the multi-cultural field." Mr Gandar is New Zealand’s first High Commissioner to Nigeria, and flew to Lagos earlier this year to present his credentials. He is also Ambassador to Ireland, and, expects to make a farewell visit to Dublin. Mr Gandar. like his predecessors, has been kept busy attending a variety of functions as New Zealand’s representative, and frequently has to don a stiff white shirt, with white tie and tails, to attend formal dinners. A non-smoker, with an intense dislike of smoking, he regularly has to endure after-dinner cigar' smoke wafting around him. But he sees the social side becoming increasingly less a part of the job in London. “It is becoming less of a social thing and more a matter of business contacts," he said. Mr Gandar believes the High Commissioner’s job is becoming increasingly an administrative one. “It is my regret that I have not been able to get round the country as much as I would have liked," he said. Mrs Gandar has been ■an active diplomat’s wife, regularly attending meetings of women’s groups. She has brought a nice touch to New Zealand House by often arranging the flower displays herself. “It has been a great experience,” Mr Gandar said. Of his successor, a former Cabinet colleague, Mr W. L. Young, he said, “I think he will make a very good High Commissioner. He has had a lot of/experience, and he has a warm personality which will gb over very well."