MR SULLIVAN’S MISSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25736, 6 January 1945, Page 6

MR SULLIVAN’S MISSION

DISCUSSIONS IN LONDON VISIT TO ITALY PROBABLE (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 4. Discussions with Mr Hugh Dalton, President of the Board of Trade, and Lord Woolton, Minister for Post-war Reconstruction,' occupied Mr D. G. Sullican’s time on his first day in London after returning frem Ireland. Describing the talks as “ very satisfactory,” Mr Sullivan said he had not hesitated to make it clear to Mr Dalton that in order to provide employment for the Dominion's returned servicemen and women. New Zealand aimed at further development of local industry in certain directions. “ I told Mr Dalton that I did not visualise that this would necessarily result in any reduction of the amount of trade between New Zealand and the United Kingdom, although it could mean some reorientation in regard to the nature of the goods imported, but that i was certain that neither the Government nor the people of New Zealand contemplated any reduction in the total quantity of imports. On the contrary,, they would be glad to see an increase, bearing a proper relationship to the total trade between the two countries." This view was sympathetically received.

Referring to his talk with Lord Woolton, Mr Sullivan said: “We discussed matters of post-war reconstruction and New Zealand's place in that picture. I wanted to find out more about the lines Britain is adopting, and I was tremendously interested to- discover Lord Woolton’s thoughts. In the main, they run along the line of getting the economic and social security positiop of the working people upon a satisfactory basis, as an indispensable factor in successful post-war reconstruction. These two subjects, in conjunction with the Commonwealth Air Conference, are the most important of my talks, and will, take some time yet to bring to finality.” "With regard’to civil aviation and an air service to:. New Zealand good progress is being made, but I am not in a position to be able to discuss them at present.” Mr Sullivan’s visit to-Ireland, which; he last saw as a lad of 18, Was “most enjoyable.” When he visited relatives and friends in Killarney visitors came from miles around and bonfires were lit in the streets in welcome. In Dublin Mr Sullivan met Mr de Valera and dined with the Eire Government, and in Belfast he was also entertained by the Government and. visited many factories.

Mr Sullivan will shortly meet Sir Andrew Duncan, Minister of Supply, and receive representatives of several private firms interested in factories in New Zealand. He expects to visit the 2nd N.Z.E.F. in Italy before returning to New Zealand. A considerable quantity of wheat is to be imported into New Zealand from Canada. The arrangement which Mr Sullivan made with Mr C. D. Howe, the Canadian Minister of Supply, has been confirmed by the Canadian Mutual Aid Board, subject to the authorisation of the Combined Food Board. Mr Sullivan, who received this confirmation in* London, commenting on the agreement, said: “ I am exceedingly grateful to the Canadian Government, particularly Mr Howe, for his most helpful attitude towards New Zealand. I hasten to add that it will still be necessary for. New Zealand to procure local' wheat to the greatest extent attainable to avoid a shortage. I hope the Canterbury.' farmers ' will wholeheartedly respond to the call made upon them.”