SOVIET MINISTER

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 December 1945, Page 2

SOVIET MINISTER

SEAPtCH FOR PREMISES WELLINGTON, December 10. Though he has not been in Wellington long, the first Soviet Minister to the Dominion, Mr I. Ziabkin, has been long enough to become well acquainted with one of New Zealand’s problems, housing. Though not without a roof to his head, he has been unable to find what he seeks, a house to rent. For the first days after his arrival Mr Ziabkin went, as he had expected, to a hotel, and he has since found, temporary accommodation in a furnished house in Brougham Avenue, but he finds that the houses he has viewed are all for sale, and not lor rent. His first secretary, the attache, and a woman secretary are all still in hotels, and they, too, are seeking other accommodation. There are three more families still to arrive before the legation staff is complete. Another problem presenting unexpected difficulty is suitable offices. Mr Ziabkin says he will require about 15 rooms, and this is as hard to solve as the housing question. The rented house he occupies at the moment has to serve as residence and office, and is proving very cramped. At the same time Mr Ziabkin, though careful to say that he has seen very little of New Zealand and its people as yet thinks the people look happy, and prosperous.