The Dominion. THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1941. REPRESENTATION IN WASHINGTON

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 189, 8 May 1941, Page 8

The Dominion. THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1941. REPRESENTATION IN WASHINGTON

Yesterday’s announcement by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Nash) referring to the forthcoming visit to the United States of America of the Minister of Lands (Mr. Langstone), tn company with Mr. J. G. Coates, leaves at least one important thing unsaid. Mr. Langstone, according to Mr. Nash, is to cross the Pacific at an early date to discuss trade questions and make preliminary arrangements for the establishment of the New Zealand Legation. . W hat do these words convey? If the Government intends to appoint Mr. Langstone to the highly-important post of New Zealand Minister to Washington, it would seem that Mr. Nash is_ trying to break the news gently. If not. why is Mr. Langstone being sent to undertake the duties of the Minister?

It should go without saying that the appointment, for the first time, of a Governmental representative of this country in the United States capital calls for the most careful selection. In the person of the appointed Minister will be vested a great responsibility. It will be for him to create first and, perhaps, lasting impressions in a discerning, cosmopolitan and even competitive company. He will not simply speak for New Zealand. In the. eyes of Washington he will be New Zealand. Personal qualities will count equally with political experience and the capacity to acquire diplomatic skill. The combination of qualifications for the post is not common, and it would be deeplv unfortunate—perhaps disastrous—if party considerations were permitted to stand in the way of the Government’s choice of the best availab’e man.

If, as is stated, it is “not the intention of the Government to appoint a Minister to Washington immediately.” then Mr. Langstone s position as head of the forthcoming trade mission, charged with the duty of for the establishment of the Legation, becomes indefinite and unsatisfactory in every way. Indeed, the arrangement as stated seems so unreal as to have about it a suspicion of political camouflage. Too many Government appointments to important posts have drafted on to permanency, after being shielded from initial public criticism by the label “temporary.” There should be no such doubt about a post so vital, from the very outset, as that in Washington. Mr. Coates, as a member of the War Cabinet, is to visit the United States on a clear-cut assignment, namely, the organization of supplies of munitions for this country’s defence.' Mr. Langstone, on the other hand, is to devote himself and a large staff to activities on all fours with those which the appointed Minister to Washington will be exoected to pursue. What is the true, position. ?. Is Mr. Langstone merely an advance agent with a definite and limited programme of duties? Or is it intended that he should act as “temporary” Minister? The Government should make this clear.