MR DUFF COOPER’S TOUR

Southland Times, Issue 24598, 21 November 1941, Page 4

MR DUFF COOPER’S TOUR

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND TODAY

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, November 20.

In continuation of his mission to the Far East on behalf of the British War Cabinet, Mr Alfred Duff Cooper, the noted British statesman, will arrive in Auckland tomorrow afternoon. Mr Duff Cooper, who is accompanied by his wife, Lady Diana Duff Cooper, at present holds the post of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the British Cabinet. He is charged with the task of examining the present arrangements for consultation and co-ordination between the British authorities, military, administrative and political, in the Far East and reporting on how they can be made more effective.

Since establishing his headquarters at Singapore early in September, Mr Duff Cooper has travelled extensively in the Far East. He has just spent about, a fortnight in Australia. On their arrival in Auckland the visitors will be welcomed by Captain E Rotherham, representing the Governor-Gen-eral, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, the Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple, the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, Sir Harry Batterbee, the Mayor, Mr J. A. C. Allum, the chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr H. Luke, and local members of Parliament. There will be a civic reception in the Town Hall, at which the speakers will be Mr Fraser, Mr Allum and Mr Duff Cooper. A private dinner party will be given by the Mayor in the evening. The visitors will leave by air on Saturday for Christchurch. In addition to conferring with the Government, Mr Duff Cooper will make a rapid aerial tour of the Dominion before returning to Auckland on Tuesday evening.