FAREWELL LUNCHEON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23227, 22 December 1938, Page 11

FAREWELL LUNCHEON

SIR HARRY BATTERBEE POST IN NEW ZEALAND BRITISH COMMISSIONER LONDON, Dec. 20 The newly-appointed British High Commissioner to New Zealand, Sir Harry Batterbee, who will leave for the Dominion in February, in responding to Mr. W. J. Jordan's toast of his health at the New Zealand Society's farewell luncheon, said his appointment wa3 not made because the present system had failed to work or because relations between the United Kingdom and New Zealand were becoming more difficult. The step was taken because the whole range of international affairs had so increased that new means of communication were necessary. The solution of problems by consultation must bo extended and the gaps between Imperial Conferences must be filled if the Empire was to progress. Sir Harry paid a tribute to Mr. Jordan for his help in the preparations for his departure. He said he hoped to make his house in Wellington a meeting place for the exchange of ideas in order to equip himself as an ambassador in the wider sense.

The Duke of Devonshire, Dominions Under-Secretary, said that without minimising the work of GovernorsGeneral, New Zealand would greatly benefit, as the result of someone at hand who knew the inner ' workings of the British Government.