LORD MACLAY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18302, 9 February 1925, Page 14

LORD MACLAY.

PRIME MINISTER'S TRIBUTE. All appreciative reference to the forthcoming visit of. Lord Maclay to New Zealand was made by the Prime MiMster' last week. "I see that Lord Maday's arrival in , AustraJia has been feported recently in a Press telegram," said Sir Massey. "I ; have noted • with . a great deal of pleasure that he is inoluding the Dominion in his present tour. 'The mention of Lord. Maclay < recalls to -my mind the splendid-work which he did for Now Zealand' during the anxious times of the war period, in which held the responsible post of Shipping Controller. One of the most difficult and complicated questions which the Government ;hqd to dear with at that time was to ensure a regular and sufficient supply of shipping in order to carry our produce, so" much needed by the Imperial Government for army purposes by our kinsmen at Home, to the other side of the world. While our people were loyally responding to the call in men. and in production to keep the country going, their efforts would,have been. largely rendered of little avail had the means of transportation not been adequately provided, fn fact, this, was of vital importance to New Zealand, situated so far from the chief theatres of war, and from the United Kingdom. In ensuring for New Zealand a regular supply of ships throughout a most trying period, tho Dominion owes a special debt of gratitude to' Lord Maclay. At nil times, and especially when I was in London in constant communication with the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Fooa, I received the most valuable assistanoe from Sir Joseph Maclay, as he then was. In this it is only right to acknowledge also the valued co-operation of Sir Kenneth Anderson" and Lord Inverforth. All three gentlemen proved themselves good friends of New Zealand in those dark days, and I hope that Lord Maclay's tour will be the forerunner of visits from each of the others. I often think that the importance of a first-hand knowledge of the various countries of the Empire, such as can only be obtained by personal visits and intercourse, is not sufficiently ap-preciated-by public men at Home. I have never lost , an opportunity of stressing this point on the occasion of my several visits to England in receht years. "I think." added Mr Massey, "that, Lord Inverforth has already been in New Z4alivnd, many years ago, when he was known, more particularlv. in shipping circles, as Mr Andrew Weir. 1 am sure there is no necessity for me to "bespeak a very cordial welcome to Lord Maclay, and I hope he will thoroughly enjoy liis stay in the Dominion.