ABOUT AMBASSADORS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25299, 5 September 1945, Page 8

ABOUT AMBASSADORS

POSSIBLE NEW POST SUGGESTION BY MR MURDOCH (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The suggestion that by sending the Minister of Mines and Labour, Mr Webb, to Paris to represent the Dominion at the International Labour Organisation conference the Government was testing him as the future New Zealand Ambassador to France was made by Mr A. J. Murdoch (Opposition —Marsden) in the House of Representatives today. "1 want to say a few words regarding our ambassadors," said Mr Murdoch in his speech in the Budget debate. "I referred to the matter last year and feel 1 must do so again. As I said then I do not believe in having ambassadors." "They have gone dumb, have t-hey not?" asked Mr \Y. J. Broadfoot (Opposition—Wnitomo). "Some have disappeared and some have just come over all silent," added Mr Murdoch. "It has been reported recently that the Prime Minister has been invited to send out another ambassador, this time to Paris." "Who is going?" interjected Mr W. S. G(jos tnan (Opposition —Waikato). "It will not be the honourable member for Waimarino —I can assure the House of that," replied Mr Murdoch. "It- appears to me from information given in the press a few days ago to the effect that the Minister of Mines is to represent New Zealand at the International Labour Organisation Conferenee that he is being given a try out and that if he succeeds in captivating and charming the individuals in Paris he may he left there. "The Prime Minister has not responded to the request for information, but I have been advistkl that it is correct that the Minister of Mines is having the try out. Apparently after its experience in sending out ambassadors tho Government has been tempted to try once again."