LONDON TALKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21605, 6 January 1945, Page 2

LONDON TALKS

HON. D. G. SULLIVAN TRADE WITH BRITAIN f FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ißv Telegraph—Pr*s3 Assn.—Copyright.l <Special Correspondent.) 19 n.ru.i LONDON, Jan. 5. Discussions with Dr. Hugh Dalton. President of the Board of Trade, and Lord Woolton, Minister in charge of Post-war Reconstruction, occupied the Hon. D. G. Sullivan’s time on his first day in London after returning from Ireland. Describing the talks as “very satisfactory," Mr. Sullivan said that he had not hesitated to make it clear to Dr. Dalton that in order to provide employment for the Dominion’s returned service men and women. New Zealand aimed at further development of local industry in certain directions. “I told Dr. Dalton I did not visualise that this would necessarily result in any reduction of the amount of trade between New Zealand and the United Kingdom, although if could mean some reorientation regarding the nature of goods imported, but that I was certain that neither the Government nor the people of New Zealand contemplated any reduction in the total quantity of imports. On the contrary, they would be glad to see an increase bearing a proper relationship to the total trade between the two countries.” This view was sympathetically received.,’ Mr. Sullivan added: “Arrangements were made for Mr. Middleton and members of the High Commissioner’s staff to meet officers of. the Board of Trade for a further discussion of details. After they have reported 'to Dr. Dalton and myself he and I are to meet again for further discussions of these matters." “Trcmendouslv Interested’’ . ■ • l it i Referring to liis talk with Lord Woolton, Mr. Sullivan said: “We discussed matters of ifost-war reconstruction arid New Zealand's place in that picture. I 'wanted" to find more lines that Britain is adopting. 1 was tremendously interested to discover Lord Woolton's thoughts. In the main they run along the lines of getting economic and social security and the position of working people upon a satisfactory basis, as an indispensable factor in successful post-war reconstruction.

"These two subjects in conjunction with the Commonwealth air conference are the most important ofNiny talks, and will take some time yet- to oring to finality. "Regarding aviation and air services to New Zealand, good progress is being made, but I am not in a position to be able to discuss them at present.”

Mr. Sullivan’s visit to Ireland, which he last saw as a lad of 18, was "most enjoyable.” When he visited relations and friends in Killarney, Visitors came from miles around and bonfires were lit in the streets in welcome. In Dublin Mr. Sullivan met Mr de Valera and dined with the Eire Government, and in Belfast he was also entertained by the Government. He visited many factories. Mr. Sullivan will shortly meet Sir Andrew Duncan, Minister of Supply, and receive representatives of several private firms interested in factories in New Zealand. He is expecting to visit the Second N.Z.E.F. in Italy before returning *o New Zealand.