INVITED TO LONDON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25801, 23 March 1945, Page 5

INVITED TO LONDON

LORD WAVELL’S MISSION

IMPORTANT CONSULTATIONS

(Rec. 7 p.m.) RUGBY. Mar. 21. An announcement from No. 10 Downing street states that the British Government has invited the Viceroy and Governor-General of India, Lord Wavell, to visit London by air for personal consultations. The discussions are likely to cover a wide field, including the maintenance of India as a base for operations against Japan after the defeat, of Germany. Commenting on the annuncement from No. 10 Downing street that Lord Wavell has been invited to London for personal consultations, the Press Association’s lobby correspondent says it is learned on the highest authority that the reason for the invitation is because the European war is obviously speeding towards an end, and Cabinet is anxious to confer with Lord Wavell on plans to transfer the whole weight of British armaments' to the Pacific at the conclusion of the European war. Lord Wavell’s visit is expected to last several weeks, and during this time there will also be important consultations on Indian affairs.

The correspondent is of the opinion that Lord Wavell’s visit has nothing to do with the forthcoming world security conference, to which India is sending her own delegates.