NEW ZEALAND AND UNITED STATES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 43, 20 February 1941, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND AND UNITED STATES

EXCHANGE OF MINISTERS , I i DOMINION LEGATION TO OPEN IN WASHINGTON [ Pei- Frees Association. J WELLINGTON, Feb. 19. The decision of the United Stales and New Zealand Governments to exchange Ministers was announced today by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser. A similar announcement has also been made in Washington. "The establishment of direct diplomatic relations,” said Mr. Fraser, “will, it is felt, promote still further the cordial relations which have always existed between the United States and New Zealand and will contribute also to t-he maintenance and development of those relations between the United States and the whole of the British Commonwealth of Nations. "It has been apparent for some time that new problems affecting the nations surrounding the Pacific are of particular and vital interest to this Dominion, and we have large and growing responsibilities in this area which have to be faced. It is essential, therefore, that we should endeavour to maintain the best possible relations with our neighbours, and there is no country in the Pacific to the friendship of which we attach more importance than the United States.

“In embarking upon this course of establishing legations abroad, New Zealand is following the example of other Dominion Governments, some of whom have been represented in Washington for a number of years. The arrangements now proposed do not denote any departure from the principle of diplomatic unity of the British Commonwealth. This is merely another step in the system of consultative co-operation which exists amongst all the Governments of the British Commonwealth."