PRIME MINISTER

Grey River Argus, 16 September 1941, Page 4

PRIME MINISTER

WELLINGTON WELCOME His American Tour [Per Press Association! WELLINGTON, Sent. 15. Rt. Hen. P. Fraser, Prime Minister, returned to Wellington this morning The Prime Minister spent a busy five minutes at the Railway Station on the arrival of the Limited Express from Auckland, where he was shaking hands witn his colleagues of the Ministry, representatives of the Labour Movement, and with many other prominent people who assembled to welcome him back to the capital. In addition to the representatives of both Houses of the Legislature, those present included Captain H. Helmore (representing the GovernorGeneral), Hon. Adam Hamilton, Dr. W. A. Riddell (High Commissioner for Canada), Mr. L. J. Menzies (Australian Trade Commissioner), Commodode W. E.. Parry, Air Commodore H W. L. Saunders, and others. There was no formal welcome at the station. The welcome whs reserved for a morning tea reception, which was given by the Ministry in the Prime Minister’s room at Parliament House. Mr. Fraser lunched at Government House, and in the afternoon he met the War Cabinet. MR. FRASER INTERVIEWED. WELLINGTON, September 15. In an interview, to-day, Rt. Hon. P. Fraser made reference to the cordial receptions he had received in Canada and in the United States. He had received messages of goodwill from the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. MacKenzie King, the Acting Prime Minister, Sir Ernest Lapointe, and the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs' Committee of the United States House of Representatives (Mr. Sol Bloom).

Lucky Escapes

FROM FLYING ACCIDENT. PARLT. BLDGS., Sept. 15. But fcr the fact that Rt. Hon W. L. MacKenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada, arrived in Britain earlier than he originally expected, the strong probability is that Rt. Hon. P. Fraser would have been aboard the plane which crashed in Britain, killing among its occupants Mr. Arthur Purvis, Head of the British Purchasing Mission m the United States.' Mr. Fraser acknowledged this in reply to a question on his arrival at Wellington to-day. Mr. Fraser said that two planes were to nave left that night, and, according to information which he received, the plane that crashed was the one on which he was to travel. It therefore appeared a seventy-five per cent, probability that he would have been aboard. In Montreal, the New Zealand Minister of Lands (Hon. F. nangstone), had been informed definitely that this was the plane on which Mr. Fraser had been booked. The cancellation of his passage by that plane was due to the fact that he was able to see Mr. MacKenzie King in Britain instead of in Canada.

Another exciting incident associated with Mr. Fraser’s tour was the attempted attack on his plane over Iraq by Rashid Ali’s forces. Mr. Fraser said that'a small fort sent five shells skywards at the plane, which, iat the time, was ten thousand feet up. The shells did not appear to travel more than half way. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT? 'WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. An early announcement on the principal political question of the hour, whether New Zealand is to have a National Government or a General Election, was promised by the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) on b ; s return from overseas. “An announcement will be made as soon as I have had time to get an adequate ’ appreciation of the political situation lat the moment, ! ' said Mr Fraser. “I intend to go into the matter at once, and I wifi make a statement as soon as possible.’’ MESSAGE TO MR ROOSEVELT WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. Mr Fraser revealed to-day that he conveyed a personal message from Mr Churchill to Mr Roosevelt. When Mr Fraser took farewell of Mr Churchill at No. 10 Downing Street —after Mr Chui chill’s return from the historic meeting with Mr Roosevelt —Mr Churchill asked Mr Fraser to convey to Mr Roosevelt his great pleasure at meeting him and his high appreciation of co-operation that Mr Roosevelt had extended to him, and also his high sense of the value he placed on the decisions of the conference. Before he started to discuss matters with the President, continued Mr Fraser, he told Mr Roosevelt he had a message for him from Mr Churchhill, and the President expressed his great delight at receiving it - through Mr Fraser.

NORTH AMERICAN SPOKESMEN. TRIBUTES TO MR FRASER WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. Reference to the cordial reception which he received in Canada and in the United States was made by Mr Fraser on his return to Wellington. The Canadian Premier, Mr Mackenzie King's message extended a warm welcome to Canada, and expressed regret at his not being able to be present during Mr Fraser’s visit. “Please take back with you to New Zealand the warmest greetings from Canada." he stated. “I send my best personal wishes for vour return journey and for youiself and your fellow countrymen.’' _ Hon. La Pointe telegraphed, on be.half of the Government and people of Canada the best wishes for a safe return journey, and added: Mr Fraser’s visit to Canada has demonstrated the solidarity of our world-wide commonwealth, and has been a source of pleasure and of value to the Government and people of Canada.’’ Mr. S. Bloom (chairman of the United States Foreign Affairs Committee), in a message stated: “You have endeared yourself to all of the people of this country who have had the pleasure of meeting you, and we are looking forward with a great deal of pleasure to having you visit us again.’’ His message also wished Mr Fraser a safe trip home, i