ARRIVAL IN LONDON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 256, 30 October 1939, Page 8

ARRIVAL IN LONDON

MR. FRASER AND PARTY JOURNEY OF 16 DAYS [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 27. The New Zealand representative to the Impei'al Conference, the Hon. Peter Fraser, and party arrived at a Channel Port and was met by the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Mr. W. J. Jordan. Mr. Fraser is due in London this evening. Mr. Fraser's journey Home by air took 16 days, including tim£ for stopovers at Auckland and Sydney. He will represent New Zealand at the conference of Empire Ministers called to discuss the co-ordination of war measures within the Empire. He is accompanied by Mr. C. A. Berendsen, permanent head of the Prime Minister’s Department, Colonel Stevens, secretary of the organisation for National Security, and Mr. J. T. Waugh, his private secretary. The party left Wellington on October 11 for Auckland and flew to Sydney by the Aotearoa, arriving after a good crossing. Mr. Fraser faced a battery of cameras at Victoria Station to end his historic air dash resulting in his arrival a fortnight after his departure. The trip would have taken 11 days except that, it was considered wise to travel overland, from Marseilles. Mr. Anthony Eden warmly greeted Mr. Fraser and the gathering of notable persons on the platform included the Duke of Devonshire and Admiral Bromley. I The party looked remarkably fresh j despite hard travelling. Mr. Fraser was full of praise for the comfort of his Tasman crossing and paid a tribute to the efficiency of the handling of the Aotearoa by Commander Burgess and his crew. Mr. Fraser said he was unable at the present to comment on his mission in detail. The discussions would be most important for New Zealand but he awaited an indication from the British Government of the exact nature of the subjects for review. “Even after this brief acquaintance of Britain at war, I cannot help being impressed with the calm bearing of the people.” he said. Within five minutes of arrival al their hotel, members of the party had been fitted with gas masks. Mr. Fraser anticipates being three weeks in London.