AU REVOIR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1069, 7 March 1911, Page 6

AU REVOIR.

DEPARTURE OF PREMIER AND DR. FiNDLAY. A PARTING MESSAGE. 03y TolocraDh.-Presa Aasoclatlon.l Auckland, March G. Tho Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) and tho Hon. Dr. Findlay (AttorneyGenera!) left by the Victoria this evening for Sydney, en routo to London, where they will attend tho Imperial Conference, and the Coronation celebrations. Tho whole of to-day was occupied with the making of final arrangements, and the Ministers had very little spare time. Sir Joseph Ward, indeed, was unable to see more than a .few friends, and they had to be content with merely shaking hands with him. In tho morning he met other members of the Cabinet, and some business was transacted. It was not till after a belatel lunch that ho was able to securo a little privacy for the settlement of his family and private affairs. The official send-off was given at the Albert Park this afternoon. Among those present were the Hons. Sir Maurice O'Rorke, E. Mit.chclson, Seymour Thome George, Major Harris, William Beehan, 3. Carroll (Acting-Prime Minister), R. M'Kenzie (Minister for Public Works), G. i'owlds (Minister for Education), T. Mackenzie (Minister for Agriculture), 3. A. Millar (Minister for Railways), and .D. Buddo (Minister for Internal Affairs), Messrs. A. M. Myers, C. H,.. Poole, P. Lawry, H. Poland, A. E. Glover, V. Reed, J. Vigor Brown, W. D. S. MacDoiiald and C. Hall, ; M.P.'s, Lieutenant-Colonel Wolfe. Mr. Beddoo (the Canadian Trade Commissioner), tho Mayor, and chairman of several local bodies, and a large number ■ of. influential citizens. Altogether the attendance numbered' about - 1500.'•-" The Mayor (Mr. L. J. Bagnall) jaid tho people of New Zealand-were, deeply concerned in the momentous happenings of the dav, and Sir Joseph Ward would be justified in conveying to .his Majesty the King, whom he' would see crowned, the very deep senso of loyalty to himself, his throne, and the Empire that prevailed in this country. (Applause.) Tho Mayor then, amidst hearty applause, handed an address to tho Prime Minister.' .. , ■ Dr. Eindlay said that parting was rather a" "sweet sorrow" when effected under •such conditions. His hearers had recognised that the mission upon which Sir Joseph Ward and himself were setting out transcended all party politics, and it had lifted tho feelings of tho Now Zealand j-'eople high abovo partisanship to unite them in one volume of good wishes. He believed that every man in New Zealand was-assured that Sir Joseph Ward would do his best to make more and more articuJato the feelings of loyalty existing throughout his country, and would_ join •with the statesmen of the Empire in determining how that' loyalty could be most effective for the purposes of defence. A great menace had arisen lately, and they had to do their best, not in a spirit of jingoism or aggression, to mnko safe the bulwarks.of the Empire, and to see that no other nation wonld threaten that Britain which had so long stood for freedom. In of Imperial .defence., the coming conference would be, he believed, an epoch-making one." Ono of its cardinal jurposcs would bo to provide machinery to improve tho frame-work of the Empire, and to knit closer to the Mother Country all tho partsi spread world-wide, of that, frame-work.. (Applause.) Sir Joseph Ward was loudly applauded when he rose to reply. Ho said he warmly appreciated tho largo gathering that had assembled to do' honour to himself and Dr.. .Findlay. (Applause.) .The' younger generation of New Zeaianders Were as determined to maintain the noble traditions of the past, and tho integrity of the Empire as the most staunch Englishman, Irishman, or Scotchman who came here in the early days to make this a freo country with a free people, living, under, a free flag. • (Applause.) It was now necessary for the Motherland to realise that we were no longer growing tip and that what was all right ten or fifteen years ago to enable the Empire to maintain its position against any combination of other countries was not allright to-day. Unless they had an interchange of ideas and co-operation between tho scattered portions, of the Empire it would ho impossible to get them all. to ■walk, in the'' one direction when necessary or to. act all together, for defensive purposes or self preservation if ever that position unhappily arose. (Applause.) The Imperial Conference, to his mind, was an event of stupendous'importance, at that gathering tho questions of cheapening telegraphic and postal communication, of quickening transit between New Zealand and the Old Land, all matters of the highest importance would bo discussed. Ono thing that encouraged his colleague i and himself in their mission was tho fact that the l people from' end to' end of the Dominion had assembled to express their loyally and wish their representatives God-speed. He would only he too proud when he was in England to convey that message of loyalty to his Majesty the King. (Applause.) Ho left them with.a full heart saying "au revoir, but nit good-bye." Sir Joseoh Ward concluded his Tcmarks amidst hearty applause and cheers. A great crowd assembled on the wharf to witness the denarturo. Sir Joseph Word, on the point of departure from the wharf, ?ave this parting message to New Zealand: — "I have tho deepest feeling- of gratitude to the people of New Zealand for tho goodwill which has been shown to me fio universally on my departure for the Imperial. Conference. While, however, I onpreciate in the fullest wav this spirit of personal kindness, I fully recognise', that -much" of tho demonstrations of goodwill I have received is due to New Zealand's recognition of tho importance to her of the great mission with which I have been entrusted, and reflects a strong and unanimous desire which exists on tho part of the pooplo of this country' to widen and improve that framework of Empire, which will attach us still closer to our Motherland. Thus I feel that New Zealand's goodwill is as much for the mission as tho man. This encourages-me to do the best I can to the country I. love and of which I am so proud., To one and all of my fellow citizens, tho kindliest 'Au revoir.'"