NEW U.S. MINISTER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 25 November 1943, Page 5

NEW U.S. MINISTER

MR W. C. BURDETT IN DOMINION “DELIGHT AT APPOINTMENT” Auckland, Nov. 24. The new American Minister to New Zealand, the Hon. William Carter Burdett, arrived at Auckland to-day. Mr Burdett was chosen some months ago to fill the office occupied for a few months last year by Brigadier-General Hurley who later became President Roosevelt's personal representative in the Middle and Far 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 General Hurley's departure and Mr Burdett’s arrival. Mr R. E. Cox, Charge d’Affaires at 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 that’ 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, apd is at present stationed in Ecuador. On their arrival they were welcomed by Mr Cox and by the Minister of Broadcasting. Mr Wilson, 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. $ At a Press conference held shortly after his arrival, Mr Burdett said that though 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 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. DOMINION’S STANDING IN U.S.A. “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 to speak of New Zealand’s standing in the United States. Americans know very well what magnificent work this country has done for the Allied cause. Indeed, every time you hear of New Zealand and New Zealanders their stature grows higher and higher.”

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 on 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 he hoped that 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.

Mr Burdett explained that he would not officially become American Minister till he had presented his credentials to the Governor-General. —P.A.