REPRESENTATIVE IN UNITED STATES?

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21198, 22 August 1940, Page 6

REPRESENTATIVE IN UNITED STATES?

The suggestion of Professor L. M. Lipson, of Victoria University College, that New Zealand should send a diplomatic representative to the United States is well worthy of close consideration. Mr Lipson quotes the activities of Australia’s recently appointed representative at Washington as an illustration of the value of diplomatic relations. Mr Casey has been extremely active throughout the United States, and it is certain that as a result of his work the American people are more keenly aware of the existence of the big island continent in the South Pacific and of the possibilities of mutual benefits from closer relations. What Mr Casey has done for Australia a carefully chosen representative could do for New Zealand. At present millions of Americans are scarcely aware of the existence of New Zealand, or if they are aware of it they regard it as an insignificant appendage of Australia. In such circumstances it is not surprising that in the past three and a-half years the United States has purchased only £10,000,000 worth of goods from New Zealand while the trade in the other direction has been worth £22,000,000. Bulk and population have their advantages for purposes of publicity, and New Zealand might endeavour to compensate for its lack in those directions by making itself heard in the business and cultural spheres of the United States. It remains to be seen, of course, whether the United States regards New Zealand as of sufficient importance for its representative to be accorded diplomatic status. Australia has only recently succeeded in securing an exchange of representatives, but it is safe to say that Australia would not dream of undoing what has been done. When the war is over, and possibly sooner, New Zealand might be glad of alternative markets in the United States,- and it is not too soon to begin to prepare the groundwork. If the principle were adopted the choice of the representative would be important. Only a capable man who could make himself heard, and whose judgment was respected, would be worth while. Mr Casey seems to be filling the bill admirably for Australia, and what Australia can do New Zealand can do also.