NEW U.S. MINISTER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21261, 25 November 1943, Page 2

NEW U.S. MINISTER

ARRIVAL IN DOMINION AUCKLAND WELCOME N.Z. WAR EFFORT PRAISED (P.A.) AUCKLAND. .Nov. 25. The new American Minister to New Zealand, the Hon. William Carter Burdelt, arrived in Auckland yesterday. Mr. Burdett was chosen some months ago to (ill the office occupied for a few months last year by Brigadier-General P. J. Hurley, who later became President Roosevelt’s personal representative in the Middle and B'ar East and was last reported as being at Chinese headquarters.

Mr. Burdett is thus the second Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States in New Zealand. For the period between Brigadier-General Hurley’s departure and Mr. Burdett’s arrival, Mr. R. E. Cox, charge d’affaires ah the United States Legation in Wellington, has been acting as Minister The new Minister became ill during his journey to New Zealand and he has spent the last 30 days in an American hospital in Australia. Mr. Burdett said he had come on to New Zealand as soon as his doctors -had agreed that the journey was advisable. He admitted he was still feeling weak, but said he was otherwise well. Mr. Burdett was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Burdett. and by their two daughters, Agnes Elizabeth Burdett and Mary Elizabeth Burdett. Mr. and Mrs. Burdett also have two sons, one of whom is an officer of the United States Foreign Service and is at present stationed in Equador. On their arrival they were welcomed by Mr. Cox and by the Hon. D. Wilson, Minister of Broadcasting, who represented the New Zealand Government. They were then introduced to a large number of American consular and service officers and representatives of the New Zealand services and local authorities. Tribute to Mr. Nash

At. a press conference held shortly after his arrival. Mr. Burdett said that although he had no first-hand knowledge of New Zealand, he had made it his business before he left Washington to make as deep a study as he could of the country to which he had been appointed. He had received special help from the New Zealand Legation in Washington and he made special mention of the reputation Mr. W. Nash had established during the period he was there as New Zealand’s Minister. “Mr. Nash.” he said, “made a reputation for himself which was out of all proportion to the time he was there. His advice is always sought and. in fact, he has a unique standing. “I was delighted •to be given, the opportunity of coming to New Zealand,” continued Mr. Burdett. “It is one of the most interesting appointments we have at the present time, and we are looking forward to our stay here with a tremendous amount of pleasure. ‘’There is little need,” he said, “to speak of New Zealand’s standing in the United States. The Americans know very weli what magnificent work this country has done for the Allied cause: indeed, every time you hear of Now Zealand and New Zealanders their stature grows higher and higher.” N.Z. Reverse Lend-Lease Aid

Speaking of New Zealand’s reverse lend-lease efforts, Mr. Burdett said the official attitude in Washington was one of very great satisfaction with the part New Zealand had played in carrying her share of the common burden." As President Roosevelt had said, it was a success which could not be measured in dollars and cents. “New Zealand,” said Mr. Burdett, “is certainly carrying a maximum load.”

Commenting upon America at war, Mr. Burdett said that over-confidence was a thing of the past There was a much better war spirit than there was a year ago. Of his duties in New Zealand, Mr. Burdett said that he hoped the legation would continue to be useful to the Dominion both during and after the war, when he thought there would be many matters on which it could be of assistance to New Zealand. The legation would always be very happy to collaborate and co-operate with the Government of the Dominion.

The party will probably leave for Wellington to-day. Mr. Burdett explained that he would not officially become the American Minister until he had presented his credentials to the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall. This formality will be arranged by New Zealand’s External Affairs Department.