MINISTERS' VISIT TO ENGLAND

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 123, 11 February 1918, Page 4

MINISTERS' VISIT TO ENGLAND

A DUTY, NOT A PLEASURE. ;, The visit to England of the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance was discussed by Sir Joseph Ward at Cbristchurch on Saturday. Sir Joseph, Ward spoke strongly or criticisms of the Ministers' decision to leave New ! Zealand just now'. He said that neither he nor Mr. Massey wished fp tha visit. If it was a matter of <■' jice f both Mr. Massey and he would ruefer not to have to go. . The Imperial authorities had asked them to go, and it was their duty to go. If anybody thought that there was pleasure in, the trip, that person was welcome to it instead of the representatives selected. A little reflection showed what it was like when vessels wero being sunk in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and other waters.' It was, in fact, a danger route for every passen-. ger. 'What was London like under war conditions, with frequent air raids, with the streets in darkness, and with other conditions absolutely unknown in this country? It was quite- a mistake to Buppose that it was a trip of interest and pleasure. Referring to other aspects of the visit, Sir Joseph Ward said that the question of the Pacific islands would come before the Conference in London. It stood out from other questionsas one of dominant importance. If New Zealand was unrepresented, and if a decision was arrived at to restore the islands to Germany, the calamity to Now Zealand would be worse than twenty elections. ' For all time a dangerous centre -would _ overshadow this country. The reversion of the islands to the enemy must be prevented, and New Zealand's representatives muet help to prevent it. The Imperial authorities asked all tho overseae dominions to be represented at the Conference, and it. was not a choice, but an imperative duty, for New Zealand to send its representatives.—Christchurch '•Star." ■ . . ■