NEW VICE-CONSUL

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 288, 1 September 1931, Page 8

NEW VICE-CONSUL

/ United States Service

MR. JOHNSON ARRIVES Mr. Leslie W. Johnson, who has been appointed Vice-Consul for the United States at Wellington, arrived in the capital yesterday morning by the Limited express from Auckland, having come from Australia by the Ventura. Since November, 1930, Mr. Johnson has been stationed at Melbourne as Vice-Consul. Mr. Johnson, who comes from the city of Minneapolis, was educated at the University; of Minnesota, where he graduated with the degree of bachelor of arts. Still a young man, he is,at the beginning of his career, Melbourne having been

his only other appointment in the United States Consular Service. Interviewedby a “Dominion” reporter yesterday, Mr. Johnson said, that during his stay in Melbourne he .did not notice any appreciable increase in the number of applications for entry to the United States on account of the bad conditions prevailing in Australia. America herself was in the throes of an acute economic depression, and the cost of the .passage money, coupled with the stringent immigration regulations, tended to discourage any exodus from Australia to the United States. Mr. Johnson said that he had thoroughly enjoyed bis brief term in Victoria, and he 71’68 looking forward to his stay, in Wellington with pleasurable anticipation. A single man, he took a keen, interest in sports in general, and especially followed the game of golf. NETHERLANDS OFFICE Mr. Copeland Retires After nearly 15 years as Vice-Consul for the Netherlands nt Auckland, Mr. M. Copeland has retired from that office owing to ill-health. On the recommendation of the Consul-General for the Netherlands at Sydney, Mr. O. W. Heather has been appointed to fill the vacancy as acting-Vice-Consul. During Mr. Copeland’s illness the office has been filled by Mr. H. E. Myers, and latterly by Mr. O. J. Thcdcns, Trade Commissioner for Austria. “I have relinquished the office . with one regret,” said Mr. Copeland, “and that is that I have not seen a trade agreement made between the Netherlands and New Zealand. I have for many years endeavoured to bring the two countries together. Mr. J. L. Schmitt, New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Australia, has been sent to Java, and I hope his mission will be successful. According to last year’s report, New Zealand bought from’ the Dutch East Indies about £580,000 worth of goods, yet exported to the same place only about £40,000 worth.” Mr. C. W. Heather is managing director of Russell and Somers Limited, shipping and Customs agents, and a director of Heather, Robcrton Limited.