Mr. Ward Has

Departed

THE Australian Minister for Ex ternal Territories, Mr. Ward, left Sydney by air on June 3 for the United Kingdoms From there he will go on to Geneva to attend the 30th session of the In ternational Labour Office.

Before he stepped on board the aircraft in Sydney he had this farewell message for the Press: “Native welfare and labour will be discussed. Our aim will be to get the conference to ask other countries to emulate what we are doing and plan to do for the wel fare of the natives in New Guinea.”

Mr. Ward was accompanied by Mr. J. K. Halligan, secretary of the External Territories Department, Senator Armour, the secretary of the Denartment of Labour and National Services, his private sec retary and a typist—total cost to London, only, £1,950.

Mrs. Ward did not accompany her husband, but followed on the next flying-boat with the Minister for Post-War Reconstruction Ded man (who will attend the current Trade conference) and Mrs. Ded man. Single fare by flying-boat to England is £325.

Minister for Air Drakeford has been in North America, at an air conference. Mrs. Drakeford and Miss Drakeford were with him. Miss Drakeford, who is attached to a Government Department in Mel bourne, was “seconded” in order that she might travel as her father’s typist. Mrs. Drakeford and Miss Drakeford accompanied Mr. Drakeford when he was at a similar conference in 1946. The single air fare from Sydney to Van couver is £214,