Institute notes: National office and branch activities.

The National Office has continued to receive positive feedback on the series of addresses held around the time of the 21 October seminar in Wellington on Iraq. Maximum advantage was taken of the presence in New Zealand for the seminar of two highly regarded authorities on the Middle East. Dr Phebe Marr spoke to 65 people in Napier on 22 October and the following day addressed 50 members of the Auckland branch. Dr Gareth Stansfield attracted nearly 60 to a meeting of the Christchurch branch and 30 members attended a meeting he addressed in Timaru. Each speaker took part in radio and print interviews.

The recent highlight for the National Office was the second in the series of Foreign Policy Lectures inaugurated in 2002. This year's lecture, on 19 November 2003, was given by Sir Michael Quinlan, former head of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and subsequently Director of the Ditchley Foundation. Sir Michael's topic was 'Justifying War', and put in a modern context the historic criteria used to defend and explain the initiation of hostilities. His comprehensive, eloquent and thoughtful address was the prelude to a robust question and answer session in which many of the 70 who attended took part. The National Office acknowledges the assistance of the British High Commission in the provision of refreshments following the address.

On 18 November the National Office co-hosted a seminar on 'The North Korean Crisis and Beyond', with the Asian Studies Institute and the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University. Four overseas speakers addressed an audience of more than 70 members.

The President of the NZIIA, Sir Kenneth Keith, called on the Royal Institute of International Affairs while on a business visit to London.

The Director spoke to meetings of the Christchurch, Palmerston North and Timaru branches on the general theme 'Public Perceptions of New Zealand Foreign Policy'.

The NZIIA notes with regret the passing of one of its honorary vice presidents, Professor Les Castle (see Obituary).

Auckland The following meetings were held: 23 Sept Jim Headley (University of Auckland), 'Russia and the "War on Terror"'. 20ct Hon Marian Hobbs (Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control), 'Disarmament--The New Challenges'. 15 Oct Simon Murdoch (Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade), 'Aspects of the Trans-Tasman Relationship: How is it Going and What the Future may Hold'. 21 Oct Graham E. Fuller (former Vice-Chairman of the CIA's National...