MR NASH’S MISSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23796, 1 May 1939, Page 10

MR NASH’S MISSION

FIRST STAGE OF JOURNEY AN ENTHUSIASTIC FAREWELL (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Apl. 30. Ministerial colleagues, heads of State departments, members of the Secretarial Corps, trade union representatives, personal friends, and members of the Minister’s family, were on the Wellington railway station to-night when the Minister of Finance (Mr Nash) left by the limited express for Auckland, on the first stage of his journey to England. The Minister will sail by the Monterey for San Francisco late tomorrow afternoon, and should arrive in London about the end of the month. Mr Nash was accompanied by his private secretary (Mr T. R. Aickin). Mrs Nash and Mrs Aickin are travelling with their husbands for the railway journey to Auckland. The party had the use of a Ministerial carriage. They arrived on the platform about 20 minutes before the limited was due to depart. As the express steamed out to time, cheers were given for the departing Minister. All the members of the party had a busy time saying last-minute farewells, and receiving good wishes for a successful and enjoyable trip Home and a safe return.

Speaking at a farewell to Mr Nash in Parliament Buildings on Friday, the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) said that for months past the press representatives who regularly called on him had been asking almost daily when the Minister would be going Home, and yet when it was announced that he was leaving for England the newspapers tried to create a scare by talking about the Minister’s hasty departure. Mr Nash was going Home to discuss matters relating to trade, the loan falling due, and defence. Any one of those questions alone justified his visit to London. Personal contact was essential. New Zealand had trading relationships with Great Britain, and a change had been made solely with the idea of enabling this country to pay its way. Discussions on the question of defence were also more necessary than ever before.