STEP FORWARD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20140, 9 January 1940, Page 5

STEP FORWARD

PACIFIC. FUTURE AUSTRALIAN POLICY • WASHINGTON CONTACT MINISTERS APPOINTED MR. R. G. CASEY’S POST (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Jan. 9, 10.40 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 8. The appointment Mr. R. G. Casey, at present the Minister of Supply, as the Australian Minister to the United States was officially announced by the Prime Minister, Mr. R, G. Menzies, to-night. Mr. Menzies said that the reciprocal appointment of a United States Minister to Australia would follow. Mr. Casey’s appointment was for a term of five years. Mr. Menzies said that Mr. Casey's qualifications for the post were well known. He occupied a very high office in the Australian Government for a number of years and also had a great deal of experience in London. He was as well informed as anybody in Australia on international problems. The appointment represented a great step forward in the development of .Australian national policy, particularly m relation to the Pacific, said Mr. Menzies. Mr. Casey’s departure meant a great loss to the Cabinet, but the over-riding consideration was that Australia’s first Minister to Washington should have outstanding, qualifications. Tokio Possibility With tliis appointment made the Cabinet would give consideration to the matter of diplomatic representation in Tokio, which was an essential element of the development of Australia’s Pacific policy. In a national broadcast to America and Japan on Mr. Casey’s appointment, the Prime Minister explained that the object was to bring about a better understanding of the problems between Australia and the United States, increase diplomatic contact among the nations around the Pacific, heighten the friendship between the British-speaking nations and play a still greater part towards peace of the world.

The presence of an Australian Minister in Washington, tar from weakening the position of the British Empire, would tend to strengthen it. Mr. Casey's salary has not been announced, but it is understood unofficially that it will be £2500 yearly, with an allowance of a. similar amount.

A message from Washington states that in formally announcing the establishment of diplomatic relations with Australia, the State Department, said that Mr. Casey was well and favourably known in the United States. Better Trade Relations The New York Journal of Commerce, commenting on the appointment, states the hope is expressed by this means that the trade relations, which in the past have been somewhat strained apparently due to a lack of real appreciation of the economy of the two countries, will be greatly improved. However, the move toward entering a trade agreement with Australia which would involve the question of tariff on clothing and wools and perhaps butter and other agricultural products, was not expected at the present since it was believed it would make difficult the task of administration by leaders of Congress who are endeavouring this week to extend the expiring trade agreements law. President Roosevelt has nominated Mr. Clarence Egauss, the veteran American Consul-General at Shanghai, -as the first United States Minister to Australia.