EMPIRE CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8276, 22 October 1915, Page 2

EMPIRE CONFERENCE.

SUGGESTED VISIT OF PREMIERS TO LONDON STATEMENT BY MR MASSEY. WELLINGTON, October 21, A/cable. m.easage.irom London'to-day 6&rtefik~tka>t' Australasian -residents there urgently "desire ipresonce .of Mr Andrew J?isheiv and 'Mr Masseyin view or important questions that have arisen in connection with the Dardanelles. The message adds that "It. is understood the Imperial Government would welcome representation owing to a desire to be in closer touch with Australasian; feeling." „( -11; This matter,,was discussed in political circles during the.session, and it.is? understood that : since then some de-" yelopments .have taken place. There is i reason to believe thatcpmmiiriica-1 tipns on the have reached the^ New Zealand Government from the Imperial authorities. No official state-:; ment is likely to be made for a few weeks yet, but it is assumed that in thej event, of an .Imperial.. Conference being' summoned both Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward would go to London. When this matter was referred to the Prime Minister this, evening he said that,he had received a communication from the High Commissioner in London "^conveying something to the same effect. "I am "prepared to go wherever my services can be of most value;'-' 1 said Mr Massey. "Of course," he added, '' it would only involve a stay of three or four weeks. The proposal -is one for Cabinet to carefully consider in view of the very important matters which have to be dealt with here."