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OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR NEW ZEALAND, OTTAWA Throughout the year ended 31st March, 1947, the High Commissioner's Office was called, upon to provide representation at international Conferences held both in Canada and the United States. This involved long periods of absence from Ottawa of the High Commissioner, and also, in many cases, of the Assistant Secretary and Office staff. During periods when the High Commissioner was outside Canada the Official Secretary, Mr. R. M. Firth, assumed charge of the Mission as Acting 'High Commissioner. The High Commissioner, as a Member of the New Zealand delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, was in New York from 21st October to 19th December, 1946, and on 20th January, 1947, was appointed New Zealand delegate to the Social Commission of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. In March he was associated with the Right Hon. Walter Nash, New Zealand delegate on the Economic and Social Council, and on the departure of Mr. Nash for the United Kingdom remained in New York to assist with the New Zealand representation until near the close of the Council's deliberations. Mr Wilson also presented the report of the Social Commission of the Council. The High Commissioner also attended meetings in New York of the Executive Board of the International Children's Emergency Fund. The Interim Council of the Provisional International Civil Aviation Organization in Montreal made further calls on the time of the staff of the High Commissioner's Office. In addition to the High Commissioner and the Assistant Secretary, the Air Attache, Group Captain T. W. White, who had been associated with the work of PIC AO from its establishment in Montreal, attended conferences and reported to the Government upon the technical questions involved. Group Captain White also took part in the negotiation of air transport agreements with the Governments of the United States and Canada. The agreement with the United States was concluded in December, 1946, and it is expected that a formal agreement with Canada will be concluded in a few months' time. The Air Attache then returned to New Zealand, via the United Kingdom, where he had discussions with the Air Ministry in connection with Pacific air services. The return of the Air Attache marks the termination of what was for several years, in the days of the Empire Air Training Scheme, a large and important New Zealand organization in Canada. The absence of any formal agreement with Canada has not prevented British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines, Ltd., the airline designated by the. New Zealand Government to operate the services provided for under this agreement, from making applications for operating licenses, &c., to the Canadian Air Transport Authorities, and in this connection, Sir Leonard Isitt visited Ottawa. Meetings of the Permanent Migration Committee of ILO were held in Montreal and were attended by the High Commissioner and the Assistant Secretary, who also formed part of the delegation to the twenty-ninth International Labour Conference. With the return to more normal conditions there was, in the course of the year, a large increase in the number of inquiries of a general nature, many coming from prospective settlers and tourists. Work was undertaken for the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts in anticipation of a resumption of tourist trade, and the Official Secretary (Mr. R. M. Firth), who attended the Annual Convention of Canadian Tourist Bureaus at Ottawa, reported on the development and planning of the tourist industry in Canada. During the year, and consequent upon the Canadian citizenship legislation,. the High Commissioner assumed responsibility for the issue and renewal of New Zealand passports. There was a constant demand for information on New Zealand's social security and medical benefit schemes, education, the Maori people, rehabilitation, and trade and ■commerce. Articles on many of these-and similar subjects were supplied for publication, and arrangements were made for films on New Zealand to be placed on circuit with the Canadian National Film Society. Reports were sent to the Department of External Affairs dealing with many aspects of Canadian affairs. Assistance and advice was given

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