MR WEBB HOME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26027, 15 December 1945, Page 6

MR WEBB HOME

FAST FLIGHT FROM ENGLAND IMPRESSIONS OF TRIP (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 14. After a journey of four days and nine hours from England, the Minister of Labour and Mines, Mr P. C. Webb, arrived back in New Zealand this afternoon in a Skymaster aircraft of the Royal Air Force Transport Command, piloted by Wing Commander J. Adams, of Christchurch. The Skymaster left England at 5 p.m. (G.M.T.) last Sunday, and reached Whenuapai at 2.5 p-m. to-day. Mr Webb then transferred to a Lodestar, in which he travelled to Paraparaumu, and came on to Wellington by car, arriving in the city early this evening. The Minister left New Zealand three months ago to lead the New Zealand delegation to the conference of the International Labour Office in Paris. He was threatened with appendicitis on his way to the conference, and was under observation in a hospital in America for several days. In London he underwent an operation for the removal of his left eye, which had been causing him considerable trouble over a period of months before his departure from New Zealand. 68 Hours in the Air The actual flying time of the Skymaster cn the return trip was 68 hours 30 minutes, and the distance covered was 14,452 miles. Stops were made in French Morocco, at Cairo, Karachi. Colombo, Cocos Island, Perth, and Melbourne, which was left at daybreak this morning. The Skymaster will take the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, and his party to London for the first meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organisation. Mr Webb, in an interview this evening, said that 6ver 46 nations were represented at the conference of the 1.L.0. There were about 500 delegates and advisers, great unanimity being expressed by the representatives of all Countries, especially those of the downtrodden and oppressed peoples who were looking to Britain and the democracies for their salvation. Europe, Mr Webb said, was generally in a very unsettled state, caused largely by the shortage of food. The conference was strictly one of progress and unanimity. The 1.L.0. was destined to play an important part in the development of world peace. The delegates felt that now was the hour for unity of a progressive kind. He felt that the contribution of the 1.L.0. would be of immense value to the United Nations Organisation. All the delegtaes, Mr Webb continued, were emphatic that industrial unrest would prove fatal to recovery from the effects of the war, and were -appealing to all their affiliated bodies to foster the spirit of unity. England a Beacon Light In all his travels, Mr Webb said, he felt that*England stood out as a beacon light to the rest of the world for progress and peace. Industry was going ahead in Britain. .Rationing was very strict, and food was generally short. In the House of Commons he had heard Mr Arthur Greenwood proclaim that essential commodities would be either owned or controlled by the State. Although Mr Webb did not have an opportunity to meet the Prime Minister, Mr C. R. Attlee, he heard him speak on two occasions, and met most of his Ministers, as well as members of the Labour Government. Mr Webb said he was impressed by the enthusiasm of the Ministers to overcome the unemployment and housing problems. The Foreign Secretary, Mr Ernest Bevin, was generally considered to be doing his job well. The speeches' of members and Cabinet Ministers made it clear that in order to overcome her difficulties Britain would have to adopt measures for Socialisation in connection with monopolies and encourage the small business class to share in distribution to a greater extent. The Ministers were satisfied that monopolies were responsible to a large extent for unemployment and general economic chaos. The tone of England, Mr Webb said, seemed to be one of progress, and such things as taking over the Bank of England met with little opposition, while the statement that the mines were to be taken over by the nation to produce and conserve coal was greeted in the House with cheers, both sides of the House being largely in agreement on this proposal. Dominion’s Servicemen “ New Zealand’s soldiers, sailors, and airmen had created a wonderful impression in every country I visited,” said Mr Webb. “Their name ranks very high both as lighters and citizens. “The New Zealanders I met overseas, including members of the forces, also consider that New Zealand was very fortunate in securing the services of Lieutenant-general Sir Bernard Freyberg as its next GovernorGeneral,” Mr Webb concluded.