PRIME MINISTER DEPARTS

Southland Times, Issue 25334, 10 April 1944, Page 3

PRIME MINISTER DEPARTS

EMPIRE CONFERENCE IN LONDON (P.A.) AUCKLAND, April 8. “I go overseas feeling proud of New Zealand’s war effort and can express the country’s determination to carry on with unabated vigour in all fields,” said the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, this morning before he left by flying-boat on the first stage of his journey to London to attend the conference of Prune Ministers of the British Commonwealth. Mr Fraser said the conference, which had been called by Mr Churchill, would open early in May and the proceedings were intended to be an exchange ot views between the Prime Ministers ot the Commonwealth on the general war situation and the war policy. I have no doubt,” he added, “that the opportunity will be taken to discuss post-war problems and co-operation with the British Commonwealth- and with the United Nations.” , The Prime Minister said he was looking forward to meeting again Mr Roosevelt, Mr Cordell Hull and other members of the United States Government whose leadership and co-operation with New Zealand and other Pacific countries had proved of such value in making New Zealand more secure against the threat of Japanese attack. VISIT TO CANADA After visiting the United States Mr Fraser intends going to Canada and it will be his aim to see as many as possible of the New Zealanders who enlisted under the Empire Air Training Scheme. He will also see New Zealand servicemen, wherever possible, in the United Kingdom. It is also his intention to visit the division in Italy and other New Zealand troops in the Mediterranean. . The Prime Minister is accompanied by Mrs Fraser, other members of the party being Mr A. D. Mclntosh, secretary of the War Cabinet and secretary of External Affairs, and Miss K. G. Jordan, private secretary. Travelling with Mr Fraser but not m his official party were the Hon. D. Wilson, the new High Commissioner to Canada, Dr W. A. Riddell, High Commissioner in New Zealand for Canada, who is returning to Ottawa for consultations with his Government, and Messrs E. B. Taylor, assistant Under-Secretary of Labour, H. Butland, representing the New Zealand employers and F. C. Allerby, representing the Federation of Labour, who will attend the International Labour Office conference at Philadelphia. Mr Fraser’ was bidden farewell by the Mayor, Mr J. A. C. Allum,, the new High Commissioner for New Zealand in Australia, Mr J. G. Barclay, and several Government members of Parliament