MINISTER IN CAIRO

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24536, 19 March 1943, Page 2

MINISTER IN CAIRO

VISITING NEW ZEALANDERS ■ ] CONFERENCES IN AMERICA ] (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent) . CAIRO, March 16 The New Zealand Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, stepped from a giant United States ferry plane early this afternoon, looking fit and fresh after a short last lap of his air journey from New Zealand to Cairo. "It is my intention to visit as many New Zealanders in the three services as possible," said Mr. Jones. "The New Zealand Expeditionary Force holds a high place in the thoughts of the New Zealand Government and the people of the Dominion and their deeds have won universal fame." Mr. Jones came via the United States, and has met many important people. He has established valuable contacts with high-ranking United States and British Service chiefs. At Pearl Harbour he was the guest of Admiral Calhoun, at Washington lie was met by the New Zealand Minister to the United States, the Hon. W. Nash, and among others he met wore the Vice-President of the United States, Mr. Henry Wallace; the head of the Munitions Assignment Board, Mr. Harry Hopkins; the British Ambassador. Lord Halifax; the Chief of the United States Army Staff, General G. C. Marshall; Mr. Churchill's personal liaison officer to President Roosevelt, General Sir John Dill; and the Commander-in-Chief United States Fleets, Admiral E. J. King. "Throughout the United States," he said, "there is genuine admiration and appreciation of New Zealand's contribution to the Allied war efforts and real interest in the activities of New Zealand's fighting men." He paid a tribute to the valuable work of Mr. Nash in Washington, which had enhanced New Zealand's reputation in the eyes of the United States. Mr. Jones was impressed by the tremendous achievements in the construction of now Allied lines of communication across islands and continents and the unfailing courtesy of United States officials who are handling his travelling arrangements TALK WITH PRESSMEN VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND CLUB (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) CAIRO, March 17 The tour by the Hon. F. Jones of the Middle East began to-day with formal visits to the British Minister of State, Mr. R. G. Casey, and Abdin Palace, where lie signed the visitors' bo.ok. He spent a large portion of the day at the New Zealand Club, where many New Zealanders and guests from all parts of the Empire and the United States assembled. Mr. Jones remarked that New Zealanders were making many friends among the soldiers and airmen of many countries. "The New Zealand Club is an excellent organisation. A service is provided which would please New Zealand people if they could see it. The club does a great job looking after our boys," said Mr. Jones. He saw New Zealand girls and local volunteer helpers serving and sampled the club ice cream, which incidentally is the best in the Middle East. To-night Mr. Jones addressed a conference of representatives of the British, American and foreign press. NEW HOSPITAL WING PROGRESS AT HAMILTON (0.C.) HAMILTON, Thursday Rapid progress is being made with the erection of the Hockin Wing, an 80bed ward at the Waikato Hospital. The building, which has a framework of timber, is 378 ft. long and varies in width from 30ft. to 38ft. It is being built in two storeys. The framework is erected, and the roof and flooring are being constructed. As soon as the wing is ready for use, the new Hamilton West School, at present unoccupied, will bo released for school purposes. It is at present being retained as an auxiliary hospital annexe. A great deal of other work is in progress at the hospital, additions being made to the kitchen and stores and to the nurses' hoaie v ,.