MINISTERS’ CREDENTIALS

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 December 1945, Page 3

MINISTERS’ CREDENTIALS

WELLINGTON CEREMONY.

WELLINGTON, December 7. This morning the Governor-Gen-eral received Monsieur F. A. A. Gazel, who presented his Letters of Credence as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of France to New Zealand. This afternoon His Excellency received M. Ivan K. Ziabkin, who presented his Letters of Credence as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to New Zealand. The confidence of the Soviet Government that the establishment of diplomatic relations and an exchange of Legations between New Zealand and the Soviet Union would serve in the maintenance and development of friendly relations between the two countries, was voiced by the Russian Minister, M. Ziabkin, who said he would personally do his best to strengthen friendly relations between the two countries that were developed during the war. It was a very great privilege*to be the first official representative of the Soviet Union to New Zealand. The Governor-General assured M. Ziabkin that the Government and people of New Zealand welcomed him most warmly, and fully appreciated the opportunity his presence afforded for consultation and exchange of views, on Tnatters ot common concern. His mission would have the unreserved help of the New Zealand Government and the good--will of the New Zealand people. The French .Minister, M. Gazel, said that when, early this year, his Government proposed to the New Zealand Government the establishment of diplomatic relations, i< intended to recognise the position acquired in the community of nations by this young nation, which, twice in its lifetime had poured out the blood of her sons on distant battlefields. “I am fully aware of possible difficulties of the mission entrusted to me in a world thrown into confusion by tragic events scarcely past,” he said. “In my modest sphere ot action. I shall do my utmost to be a partisan of this reconstruction of a better world. I shall take an interest, too as an observer, in the reforms by which New Zealand Governments, pioneers of social progress, have during the last century carried the condition of workers to an exceptionally favourable and enviable level.” His Excellency gave M, Gazel a similar assurance of New Zealand’s co-operation in the task of developing political, economic, and cultural relations between the two countries.