MR. NASH’S RETURN

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 April 1943, Page 2

MR. NASH’S RETURN

WELCOME AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, April 5. On his return to the Dominion after an absence of a little more than a year, Mr. Nash, New Zealand Minister to the United States, was welcomed by the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. J. A. C. Alluih) at an informal ceremony in the Auckland Town Hall. Mr. Nash was met on his arrival in the afternoon by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser), and the assembly at the function included the Minister of Armed Forces and War Co-ordination (Mr. Coates), the Minister of Labour (Mr. Webb), tho Minister of Transport (Mr. O’Brien), members of the Legislature, and representatives of the armed forces, local bodies, and other civic authorities. On behalf of the citizens, . the Mayor welcomed Mr. Nash , and assured him of their appreciation of the statesman-like manner, in which he had carried out his duties in Washington. “From reports to hand it is clear that you have always kept Nev/ Zealand’s outstanding contribution to the great task which lies before us ever in the forefront,” added the Mayor. The Prime Minister said that he had seen Mr. Nash carrying out his duties in Washington and could assure the New Zealand people that they could have no better or more capable representative. Mr. Nash had been just as much at home in Washington as he was in Wellington. He had established an excellent relationship with the authorities in Washington who controlled the destinies of the American people. Mr. Nash said he had gone to Washington as an ordinary diplomat, and among his purposes had been one to interpret New Zealand to the American people. He believed he had achieved some little success in telling the United States what New Zealanders were doing in the war. His task hqd been made simpler by the renown and deeds of the New Zealand Division in the Middle East. When he spoke of the achievements of those men and the men. in the naval services and in the air forces, he had something to talk about. It was his desire, he added, to get this war over as soon as possible, so that a start could be made with the rebuilding of the world. It would then be a matter of all the nations getting together, and it would be criminal if those who had fought side by side i could not agree to work on world reconstruction with similar aims. It was the duty of even a small country such as New Zealand to play its part in that. Even now New Zealand ought to be getting together with Russia and with China, m conjunction with the United States. It would not be possible for the great English-speaking races of the United States and the British Empire to dominate the world after victory was won. Even if that were thought desirable, that could not be done without risk of another war arising as a consequence. In finding a solution for the relations among the nations there might be found a greater and harder task than that of winning the war now being fought. “I cannot say anything on that ai the moment, as I shall be discussing the position with the Prime Minister,” said Mr. Nash when he was asked whether he would return to Washington or remain in the Dominion. He said that in his absence from Washington the Dominion’s interests would be attended to by Mr. Geoffrey S. Cox, First Secretary to the New Zealand Legation at Washington. Mr. Nash said he was quite happy in that arrangement, as he knew that matters would be well looked after.

ROOSEVELT LETTERS. AUCKLAND, March 6. A letter to the Prime Minister from President Roosevelt was brought by Mr. Nash from Washington, and handed to the Press to-day by Mr. Fraser. Dated March 18, the letter says: “My Dear Mr. Prime Minister; I am sending this letter by Walter Nash, and I hope that you will let Mr. Nash come back to Washington again as soon as you can. He has been a splendid representative of our sister democracy of New Zealand. May I also take this opportunity of expressing my congratulations to the people of Now Zealand on their splendid part in the war.' And may I also thank all them for their cordial hospitality to our American soldiers, sailors and marines, fihe result is already the basis of a greater friendship and understanding in future than we have had before. With my sincere regards, Franklin D. Roosevelt.” A personal letter addressed to Mr. Nash by Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt expresses the First Lady’s regret in not having the opportunity to see him before his departure. “I hope,” wrote Mrs. Roosevelt, “you win tell me Prime Minister that I have heard much of the splendid work that the women of New Zealand are doing towards the- prosecution of our common war for the maintenance of our liberties. I have been tremendously imoressed of the fact that the women of the Allied nations are increasingly taking a part in all forms of production, and are fitting into hundreds of different kinds of places, not hitherto filled by women. In this, the women of New Zealand are playing thenfull part. I hope you will have a ouick and safe return home, and you will soon be back here m Washington once more.”