BRITISH STATESMAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23313, 4 April 1939, Page 13

BRITISH STATESMAN

MEDIATOR IN CRISIS

> LORD RUNCf MAN'S VISIT

! HOLIDAY IN NEW ZEALAND

l.Br TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT] ; WELLINGTON, Monday "We were on brink of a precipice," said Viscount Runciman. famous for his endeavour fo mediate witween the Sudeten Germans and the Uechs last" August, recalling to-day the European crisis of last year. With Luc] y Runciman, he arrived at Wellington by the Awatea from Sydney on ? health trip. He was reticent about international politics. Lord Runciman was sent to Prague last August by.thp British Government i,c t as an independent mediator in effort to avert an impending crisis V/i Eur °Pc. He declined, however, to iiicuss the episode or to comment on the present situation. He snid he and a dy Runciman .had been invited to * «iw Zealand as the guests oil the GovHe was doing no official work, id no official status or engagements, ini, ended to address no meetings or ""cheons and to give no interviews. looked forward with pleasure to Bciiijig cw Zealand's sceneiy and to r n g for trout in her streams. 1 -ourteous and quiet spoken, Lord ncinian appeared a typical English statesman. He has" twice been president of the JJoard of Trade, as well as having been president of the United Kinga°ln Chamber of Shipping and Master the Shipwrights' Company, chairman °f the International Shipping Conferee, of 1926, and deputy-cli airman of 'WUi Royal Mail Steam Packet and assoPlated shipping companies. He is a 'rector of the Westminster Bank and ® the Loudon, Midland and Scottish aihvay. Yachting, shooting and fishare his hobbies. Lord aud Lady Runciman were met kp ar '3 the Awatea by the Minister 0 I"inance, the Hon. W. Nash. They at present staying at Government ouse. They will visit the Chateau °Hgariro, Waitomo and Rotorua, ,'fre they will spend a week, and will Sai ' Auckland on April 18.