Accommodation in India priority for Sir Edmund

Press, 8 February 1985, Page 19

Accommodation in India priority for Sir Edmund

PA Wellington Establishing suitable accommodation for himself and his staff will be the main priority of Sir Edmund Hillary when he takes over as New Zealand High Commissioner to India later this month. Sir Edmund, who will leave New Zealand on February 11, has made a farewell call on the Prime Minister, Mr Lange. After the meeting, Sir Edmund, aged 65, said he would give priority to sorting out accommodation and getting to know people in New Delhi.

“All accommodation at Kent is pretty much in Is, but the staff are up there and they are searching now for suitable tem-

porary accommodation until the new offices and housing can be built,” he said. New Zealand has not had a diplomatic post in India for several years, after the previous National Govem‘ment closed it for cost reasons. Sir Edmund said plans had already been made for a High Commission building, but it was likely to be a couple of years before it was completed. After arriving in New Delhi, Sir Edmund will leave almost immediately for Nepal for a four-week visit. He will then return to New Delhi. In April, he is off to the North Pole, flying with Neil Armstrong, the first man to land on the Moon. Sir Edmund said the

purpose of the trip was purely pleasure. Sir Edmund said he imagined the big change in his life in his new post would be attending more cocktail parties. However, he said, he would work to ensure his efforts in India were “devoted to the important things there rather than the superficial.” In an address to the Wellington branch of the Institute of International Affairs, Sir Edmund said he was sometimes horrified by the false impression many New Zealanders had of India. “They solely think of poverty, misery, sorrow, and death. “Rather, India is a country of immense variety both in its physical features and multitude of cultures and

religions.” It was also a country of change — seen in its industrial growth and new technology. Sir Edmund spoke of a great potential to increase trade between New Zealand and India, at present evenly balanced about $3O million each way. The main exports to India — wool and paper pulp — both held opportunities for more trade. Sir Edmund said he hoped relations between India and New Zealand would build during his time as High Commissioner. “I hope that by the end of my time more people in India will be aware of New Zealand, and New Zealanders will know what a remarkable country India is.”