U.S. CONSUL-GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 92, 19 April 1941, Page 11

U.S. CONSUL-GENERAL

ARRIVAL OF MR. COX

MUCH-TRAVELLED OFFICIAL

Mr. R. C. Cox, newly-appointed Consul-General for the United States in New Zealand, arrived by the Limited express from Auckland this morning, and was .welcomed .on behalf of the Government by Mr. C. A. Berendsen, Permanent Head of the' Prime Minister's Department. He was met also by Mr. R. English, United States Consul in Wellington, and Mr. J. Homer, vice-consul, and Mr. W. J. Garnett, official secretary to the British High Commissioner.

"I feel it a privilege to be here," [remarked Mr. Cox in an interview. "I have always wanted to see :this counjtry, and I am looking forward to a close association with the Government land the people." He is, also anxious to sample the Dominion's facilities for fishing and ski-ing, two sports for which he has a particular fondness. Mr. Cox was not. prepared to discuss questions of a political flavour, but he endorsed the desirability of New Zealand having direct representation in Washington. ■■ "My Government and the people, I am sure, would welcome a Minister, from New Zealand," he said, in reply to a question. "It would certainly help to bring the two countries more closely together." He pointed out that Canada, Australia, South Africa, and Eire had legations in Washington. Prior to'his transfer to New Zealand, Mr. Cox was stationed at Oslo, in Norway, aiidwas charge d'affaires there during the German occupation of Norway. When that occurred .his legation took over the business of the British, French; and Belgian legations, and, as Mr, Cox put it, "we had a-very busy time." ' " - Before going to Norway' Mr. Cox was in Czecho-Slovakia during the Munich crisis.