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It is a primary concern of the members of all diplomatic missions abroad to follow closely developments in the country to which they are assigned, and the position of the Soviet Union as one of the Great Powers, and a country with increasing territory and interest in the Pacific, makes it particularly desirable that its policy, both at home and in the international sphere, should be considered with New Zealand s attitude and interests in mind. In carrying out this task the Minister and his staff have supplied the Government with valuable reports dealing with many aspects of Soviet life and policy. In the field of scientific liaison the Legation was instrumental in arranging the' exchange of publications, both technical and otherwise, between organizations in New Zealand and the USSR. The Joint Press Reading Service, an Anglo-American organization of which New Zealand is a member, has provided translations of articles on such subjects as agriculture, transport, scientific research, forestry, and mining for distribution to the appropriate Government Departments in New Zealand. As much as is possible is done to foster publicity about New Zealand by the distribution of books and pamphlets, films, photographs, and records. Articles concerning various aspects of the New Zealand scene have appeared in British Ally, the Russian language newspaper published in Moscow by the Press Section of the British Embassy, among the subjects dealt with being hydro-electric development, the dairy industry, the Country Library Service, and the social security scheme. Conversations have been held with the Soviet authorities regarding the possibility of future trade between the two countries, and inquiries have been made into the range of products which might be available for export. From July to October the Second Secretary, Mr. D. P. Costello, attended the Paris Peace Conference as an adviser, and Miss Ruth Macky, Third Secretary, was Assistant Secretary to the New Zealand delegation. During the year Mr. A. R. Perry, Second Secretary, returned to New Zealand, and in March the First Secretary, Mr. R. T. G. Patrick, left Moscow on his return journey to assume his new position as Secretary of Island Territories. NEW ZEALAND LEGATION, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA The wide variety of subjects dealt with by the Legation has included diplomatic reporting on political and economic developments in the United States, external relations, and commercial policy and tariff questions. The Minister attended the regular Heads of Missions meetings with the other representatives of the British Commonwealth, when an opportunity is provided for discussion on matters of common concern. During the year negotiations were carried on with the United States Government regarding a lend-lease settlement, and an agreement satisfactory to both parties was concluded in July, 1946. In December the New Zealand and United States Governments concluded an Air Transport Agreement, which was signed at Washington. Discussions have been held with the United States authorities as to the best means of carrying out an exchange scholarship programme under the terms of the lend-lease agreement, and the matter was further examined by the Director of Education during his visit to Washington. The Legation has been instrumental in giving advice and assistance to visiting New Zealanders, including ex-servicemen studying on rehabilitation bursaries and the party of students who recently toured the United States, while the New Zealand wives of American ex-servicemen have been kept in touch with their country through the Legation's bulletin News from New Zealand. In response to the wide interest shown in New Zealand throughout the United States of America books and pamphlets have been distributed, films made available to schools and other organizations, displays^arranged, and articles and photographs supplied to newspapers and periodicals. The Minister and other members of the staff have been invited to give talks in many parts of the United States, on aspects of New Zealand life, special interest being shown in the social security scheme, agriculture, rehabilitation, education, and health.

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