Doidge As High Commissioner?

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1949, Page 5

Doidge As High Commissioner?

WELLINGTON, Thu. (Sp.)—Almost as urgent as Mr Holland’s selection of his new Cabinet is a. decision regarding a-successor to Mr W. J. Jordan as New Zealand's Hign Commissioner in London.

Mr Jordan’s term expired a few months ago and was only renewed until December, Mr Fraser expaining that it was undesirable to make a longer commitment in view of the pending general election.

Mr Fred W. Doidge, member for Tauranga, is almost certain to be New Zealand’s next High Commissioner in London.

His status in the National Party would undoubtedly warrant inclusion in the new Ministry, but his qualifications for the London post are so outstanding that he would undoubtedly have the first offer. Mr Doidge commenced work as an Auckland journalist in 1903, and was a member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery.

IN FLEET STREET Enlisting in the First World War he served in France, and the development of an information service led to his transfer to the British Ministry of Information, where he worked under Lord Beaverbrook. The New Zealander attracted the attention of the famous newspaper magnate who, after the war, appointed him to his executive staff. His career in Fleet Street was distinctive. He eventually became a director of three of the world's greatest newspapers, and, when he retired from the Beaverbrook organisation in 1936, he returned to New Zealand and promptly entered active politics, winning the Tauranga seat for the Nationalists by defeating a Labour member in the 1938 general election.