FIRST MINISTER FROM U.S.A.

Southland Times, Issue 24655, 29 January 1942, Page 4

FIRST MINISTER FROM U.S.A.

Mr Patrick J. Hurley Appointed

(PA..) WELLINGTON, January 28. The appointment of the Hon. Patrick Jay Hurley, formerly United States Secretary of War, as United States Minister to New Zealand was announced tonight by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) who stated he had been informed a short time ago it would be impossible for Mr David Winton to proceed to his post. Mr Hurley, who has been appointed in his stead, was a lawyer by profession. He served with distinction in the Great War as a major and lieutenant-colonel with the American Expeditionary Force, receiving the United States decoration of D.S.M.

In March 1929, he was appointed Assistant Secretary of State for War and from December 1929 until March 1933 he was Secretary of State for War in Mr Herbert Hoover’s Cabinet. Other posts held by Mr Hurley had been that of acting chairman of the Porto Rican Hurricane Relief Commission, membership of the Federal Oil Conservation Board, Federal Power Commission and president of the National Reservation Commission. During his term as Secretary of War he toured the Philippines in 1931.

“The appointment of so distinguished an American as New Zealand’s first

foreign diplomatic representative,” said Mr Fraser, “is, I am sure, warmly appreciated by the Government and the people of New Zealand and I look forward very much to meeting and. welcoming him here. His presence will serve to strengthen still further the bonds of friendship which exist between the American people and ourselves.”