BUSY DAYS

Evening Star, Issue 25472, 1 May 1945, Page 4

BUSY DAYS

MR HOLLAND IN BRITAIN LUNCH WITH PRIME MINISTER AT CHEQUERS (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.) ~ (IRec. 11.5 a.m.) LONDON, April 30. A long and intimate talk with Mr Churchill was enjoyed by Mr Holland and Mr Doidge when they lunched with the Prime Minister at Chequers on April 29. Mr Churchill sent in his car to meet them at their hotel in London, and they sat down to lunch at 1.15 p.m. with Mr Churchill, _ his daughter Sarah, General Sir Hastings Ismay, Mr R. Assheton. M.P., and Lord Cherwell. Mrs Churchill is still in Russia. They did not rise until 3.45, and during that time Mr Churchill exchanged views and gave them a frank review of world affairs, with which they were deeply impressed. When they departed Air Churchill walked out with them to the car and wished them the best.of luck. • Then he returned to continue his work and deal with the many messages which his private secretaries had brought regularly to him during the talk. _ This was the culmination and highlight of an extremely busy and enlightening week spent by the visitors. It began with luncheon with Mr Brendan Bracken, followed by dinner with Lord QBeaverbrook. Only five other guests were present—Lord Simon, Mr Brendan Brackoa, Dr Dalton, Mr R. K. Law. and Sir David Robertson Fyfo. On Anzac Day they were the guests of the London Chamber ctf Commerce, whom Mr Holland addressed in the Chamber of Commerce Hall in the City of London. Over 90 British firms were represented in the audience. Mr Holland spoke for one hour, receiving warm applause. The following day Mr Holland and Mr Doidge were entertained by the Empire Parliamentary Association, Mr L. S. Amery presiding, and after question time in the House of Commons they both addressed a well-attended meeting of the Lords and Commons, Mr Brendan Bracken presiding. Votes of thanks were proposed by Lord Bledisloe, Mr Robert Grentfell, and Dr Edith Summerskill. Another interesting social engagement was _ a, dinner party given by Mr Arthur Sims, of Christchurch, when the guests included Mr W. J. Jordan, Lord McGowan, Lord Balfour of Burleigh, Sir William Rootes, and many prominent industrialists. The visitors were also entertained by the directors of the Bank of New Zealand, when the managers of all banking institutions trading in New Zealand were present. Mr Holland gave an account of his and Mr Doidge's experiences in Italy. On April 28, with Major-general Kippenberger and Lady Freyberg, they visited Westgate, Broadstairs, and Margate, going to hotels and hospitals, meeting and talking with returned New Zealand prisoners of -war.

In addition to these engagements, Mr Holland and Mr Doidge were kept occupied throughout the week receiving representatives of manufacturing and exporting firms and trading organisations from all parts of the United Kingdom,, who were anxious to discuss trade and other matters. This week they are visiting the provinces and Scotland, following an itinerary arranged for them by the Ministry of Information. Asked whether he had any comments to make on his many talks. Mr Holland said he would prefer to do so on returning from Scotland.