611.47H31/115: Telegram

The Consul at Wellington ( Cox ) to the Secretary of State

My May 10, 11 a.m.40 I yesterday suggested to the Acting Prime Minister41 desirability of amplifying New Zealand Government’s objectives in despatching a trade mission to the United States and have today received a statement bearing his approval which states that the intention of the delegation is to resume the trade conversations undertaken by Nash with the Department in July, 1937. [Page 119] The statement continued “it is considered that the discussions held at that time made useful progress although it was found necessary to defer further negotiations until an agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom had been reached. This agreement having since been finalized New Zealand Government is of the opinion that immediate resumption of negotiations might well prove mutually advantageous.

In view of the understanding then reached and of Mr. Hull’s subsequent suggestion in reply to a proposal from New Zealand that the discussions might be usefully continued when the time was considered by both Governments to be opportune, New Zealand Government is hopeful that it may now be possible to agree upon a procedure for the extension of trade between the two countries.

New Zealand Government is also of the opinion that in the special circumstances brought about by the war it is desirable that there should be the maximum consultative cooperation between the United States and the Dominions in the economic field and that trade between the two countries should be facilitated and increased to the greatest possible extent.

It is therefore considered, after consulting with the British Ambassador to Washington, that an opportune time for continuing the discussions which have already taken place has now arrived.

The memorandum ends with the statement that the delegation is expected to arrive Washington May 24th.

There are indications of some official anxiety concerning the abrupt press announcement and members of the mission have informed me they hope that it has not caused [apparent omission]. I am sure the announcement was made through inadvertence due to increased work caused by the departure of the Prime Minister.

The following additional members of mission are Lieutenant Colonel Williams, Technical Adviser to Coates and Messrs. Officer and Turner, private secretaries.

Cox
  1. Not printed.
  2. Walter Nash, Minister of Finance and Customs.