NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19884, 10 March 1939, Page 6

NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER

SIR H. BATTERBEE LANDS FORM Eli VISIT '.RECALLED ‘MOD OUGHT TO BE EASY"-* (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Tall, well-built, of easy manner, Sir Harry Batterbee, first High Commissioner, representing the United Kingdom in New Zealand, made a pleasant impression on those who met him on arrival by the Rangitata, accompanied by his wife and niece.

He recalled how he was here with the Special Service Squadron on

H.M.S. Hood, as a member of the staff of the Duke and Duchess of York. He hoped to be able to renew friendships made on those visits. “The relations between New Zealand and the Mother Country are so good that my job ought to be an easy one," he said to an interviewer. “The job of High Commissioner is to interpret the views of one Government to those of the other. I want to meet all classes of workers and to know the people ” The appointment ex a High Commissioner to New Zealand follows a series of similar appointments to the other Dominions and represents a further development of the system ot communication and consultation between them and the Mother Country. Sir Harry Batterbee's appointment was announced last July, but unforseen circumstances compelled him to retain his former post o! Assistant Under-Secretary at the Dominions Office longer than had been expected. Sir Harry is notably qualified for his new office. Ho has visited New Zealand twice before, as political secretary with the Special Service Squadron, which made an Empire cruise in 1923-24. As deputy-secre-tary of the Imperial Conferences o< 1930 and 1937 he made many personal contacts with Dominion statesmen.

Sir Harry, Lady Batterbee, and the niece. Miss Biggar were met cn the Rangitata by Mr. C. A. Berenden, permanent head of the Prime Minister’s Department, Mr. Boyd Shannon, Sir Harry’s secretary, who has been in New Zealand tor some weeks, and Captain Barnes, officer in charge of the Dcvonport naval base, who is honorary aide to Sir Harry in New Zealand.

SEA COMMUNICATIONS

EMPIRE”S LIFE BLOOD

SIR IT. BATTERBEE’S VIEWS

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day

"Sea communications are the very life blood of the British Empire and all who contribute to the improvement of those communications are contributing to the advancement and progress of the Empire,’ said Sir Harry Batterbee, British High Commissioner to New Zealand replying to welcomes extended to him on behalf of the New Zealand Government and the Auckland Harbour Board soon after his arrival. The chairman of the Harbour Board Mr. W. B. Darlow, said to-day more than ever the need was felt of the closest and most harmonious relations with the Motherland and all other units of the Empire. Sir Harry’s appointment would assist and nourish that relationship and it was felt that no more fitting person could have been sent. “We believe your presence with us will not only add to the prestige of the Dominion, but also be the means of giving to the New Zealand Government an avenue of approach to Britain which has long felt necessary,” said Mr. W. T. Anderton, M.P., who spoke for the Government. The best way of negotiating was trv heart-to-heart talks around the conference table Sir Harry Batterbee was later tendered a civic reception at the Town Hall.