DOMINION LOSS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 39, 14 August 1940, Page 10

DOMINION LOSS

WERE MOST HELPFUL'

WARTIME CO-OPERATION

"The tragic death of the Australian Ministers and the Chief of the General Staff is a profound shock to me," said the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), who recently visited Australia, when referring to the Australian air tragedy today. "During my visit to Australia in connection with munition supplies I was in close and constant touch with each of them. 'They were most helpful to me and very sympathetic towards New Zealand and our requirements. I formed very warm friendships with them, and was with them at several social functions as well as meeting them officially. Their passing is a loss to New Zealand as well as to the Commonwealth because of their close understanding of New Zealand's war problems.

"Brigadier Street, the Hon. Mr. Fairbairn, and General White had brilliant war records, and on their shoulders rested a great deal of Australia's war effort. Sir Henry Gullett, who also served in the last war, has represented Australia on numerous conferences, particularly in relation to trade and commerce, and has had a great deal to do with the negotiations relative to the trade agreement between New Zealand and Australia. Their loss is a severe blow to the Commonwealth, and I have telegraphed my sympathy to the Prime Minister and to their relatives."

In conclusion, Mr. Sullivan said that as he saw it, the Prime Minister (Mr.