LORD RUNCIMAN

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 162, 4 April 1939, Page 8

LORD RUNCIMAN

Mediator In Czech Crisis

VISIT TO WELLINGTON

Reticent About European

Politics

"We were on the brink of a precipice,’’ said Lord Runciman, famous for his endeavour to mediate between the Sudeten Germans and the Czechs last August, recalling the European crisis of last year. With Lady Runeiman be arrived at Wellington yesterday by the Awatea from Sydney, on a health trip. He was reticent about international polities. Lord Runeiman was sent to Prague last August by the British Government to act as an independent mediator in an effort to avert the impending crisis in Europe. He declined, however, to discuss the episode, or to comment on the present situation. He said that he and Lady Runeiman had been invited to New Zealand us guests of the Government. He was doing no official work, had no official status or engagements, intended to address no meetings or luncheons, and to give no interviews. He looked forward with pleasure to seeing New Zealand’s scenery and fishing for trout in her streams.

Pale, courteous and quiet-spoken, of middle height and build, neatly dressed in black felt hat and raincoat, Lord Runeiman appeared a typical English statesman and diplomat. He has twice been President of the Board of Trade, as well as having been president of the United Kingdom Chamber of Shipping and master of the Shipwrights’ Company, chairman of the International Shipping Conference of 1926, and deputy-chairman of the Royal Mail Steam Packet and associated companies. He is a director of the Westminster Bank and of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway. Yachting, shooting and fishing are his hobbies, and he owns the island of Eigg, off the coast of Scotland. Lord and Lady Runeiman were met on board the Awatea by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Nash. They are at present staying at Government House. They will visit the Chateau Tongariro, Waitomo and Rotorua, where they will spend a week, and will sail from Auckland on April 18. .