RAPID TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24132, 26 November 1941, Page 6

RAPID TOUR

STATESMAN'S VISIT DOMINION IMPRESSIONS MR. DUFF COOPER'S RETURN "I have been very much impressed by the enthusiasm everywhere for the Allied cause," said Mr, Alfred Duff Cooper, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, when he returned to Auckland last night after conferring with the Government in continuation of his mission to the Far East. "My stay here has been so brief that I have been able to see little of the Dominion's war effort, but it impresses me as very considerable from what 1 have heard. "I have been greatly touched by the welcome I have received from large crowds here and in Wellington and Christehureh. I regret that 1 cannot stay longer and see more of the country and its people." Keen Interest in Britain Mr. Duff Cooper said lie had found New Zealanders keenly interested in how Britain was faring. Everywhere he had been plied with questions about conditions in Britain, and it was obvious that a large number of the people had friends or relatives there. While unwilling to state whether his visit to New Zealand would affect his report to the British Government on centralising authority in the Far East, Mr. Duff Cooper said he had had discussions with the Cabinet and the WatCabinet, and he and the Government had been in full agreement. Five Speeches Since Friday The Minister, who was accompanied by Lady Diana Duff Cooper and Lieu-tenant-Colonel L. B. Robertson, a member of his staff, concluded one of the most rapid tours of the Dominion on record with a one-day car trip from Wellington, via Rotorua. Mr, Duff Cooper said last night that, following the rough weather experienced on the air trip from Auckland to Christchurch, flying conditions were again unfavourable yesterday, and had the trip been made by air it would not have been possible to visit Rotorua. The party left Wellington at seven o'clock yesterday morning and reached Auckland after 10.30 at night. Since his arrival on Friday afternoon Mr. Duff Cooper has made five public speeches. He expects to be back in Singapore within a few days. BRIEF STOP AT ROTORUA GEYSER VALLEY INSPECTED (0.C.) ROTORUA, Tuesday Mr. Alfred Duff Cooper and Lady Diana Duff Cooper arrived in Rotorua by car from Wellington late this afternoon and in the course of a stay of slightly more than an hour were entertained to dinner at the Grand Hotei by the Mayor, Mr. H. D. Dansey, and Mrs. Dansey. Sir Ernest Davis and Lady Davis, and Mr. H. Tai Mitchell, C.M.G., were also present. During dinner the visitors were entertained by Maori songs and poi dances. The Maoris later presented Lady Diana with a pair of pois. Mechanical trouble delayed the party near Taihape this morning and it was necessary to obtain assistance from Waiouru military camp before they could proceed to Wairakei, where the Geyser Valley was inspected. Replying to a welcome by the Mayor at Rotorua Mr. Duff Cooper said he had been impressed by the thermal activity witnessed during the afternoon.