MR MASSEY'S RETURN.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17983, 29 January 1924, Page 7

MR MASSEY'S RETURN.

ClVig RECEPTION AT WELLINGTON. (KIESS ASSOCUTtOK TBUSOEUf.) WELLINGTON, January £5. The Totvu Hall concert chamber was crowded at tho civic reception tendered to the Priroo Minister to-day. Mr Massey, who was received with load applause, heartily thanked the Mayor and citixeas of Wellington for their cordial welcome. Tho Government, ho said, would endeavour to shorton tho time of the mail aervieo Home aa much a3 his trip had shown possible. Ho was not sanguine about sending mails and passengers by airship for a long time to come, but a great advanee in Empire communications could bo made by direct wireless messages. A big station was now being erected in Britain. New Zealand could not afford to be loft behind, and he thought they would not havo to wait very long for a big station hero. Mr Massoy congratulated tho Dominion on tho" high price of wool, which ho judged would last for somo years to come, and also upon tho good prices for meat and dairy produce, and the success of tho experimental egg shipmont this season. There was practically an unlimited market nt Homo for Now Zealand eggs, and bacon too. Greater care was needed, however, in the get-up of Now Zealand moat. At Smithfleld ho had found that the wrappings were often soiled and untidy, and many carcases showed cuts. Ho greatly regretted tho depression in Britain. " The only British country that was not prosperous was Britain herself. This he attributed to one-sided Freetrade. Ho maintained that without some protection and Imperial preference the Empire could nover bo selfsupporting or aa strong as it ought to be.