AN OVATION

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 57, 1 December 1923, Page 7

AN OVATION

MR. MASSEY VISITS BELFAST REMARKABLE SCENES OF ENTHUSIASM NEW ZEALAND AND THE EMPIRE Br Teleciiaph—Press Association. —Copyright. London, November 29. Mr. Massey was enthusiastically welcomed at Belfast to-day. He was driven out to Stormont, where lie was the guest of Sir James Craig (Premier of Northern Ireland). Tho Duke of Abercorn (Governor-General) was one of the house party. At a luncheon given in Air. Massey’s honour by the Chamber of Commerce. the president, Sir William Coates, referred to him as a great Imperialist. to whose robust and practical energy 7 New Zealand, the Empire, mid the Allies were permanently indebted. He reviewed Mr. Massey’s life, r.nd referred culogistically co New Zealand’s war services. Mr. Massey had a wonderful ovation, the whole hall rising and waving, cheering, and singing “For He’s a dolly Good Fellow.” Mr. Massey, in a characteristic speech, reviewed the position of the Empire to-day. He claimed that New Zealand was the part of tho Empire where maritime instincts were strongest. They gloried in the fart that they had a Sailor King and Prince, and a Sailor Governor-Gen-eral. A Self-Supporting Empire. Mr. Massey urged that the measures proposed at the recent Conference for advancing money to the Dei...inions should be continued and extended, because in them, he felt sure, lay a way bv which unemployment would bo rapidly diminished. The British Empire would produce everything for. the comfort and sustenance of mankind; and it was their dunty to see that the Empire became entirely self-supporting, and deal with their own citizens instead of going to foreign countries. The present fiscal nolicy yas net free trade. It was not even fair trade. Tho onlv way to return to prosperity was to do as other countries were doing. Ho praised tho British postwar Navy, and urged the necessity for more rapid and cheaper -ommunications. Mr. Massey also paid a tribute to tho worth of the Native race of New Zealand. There were, he said, many opportunites for business between New Zealand and Ulster. At the conclusion of the speech, the scenes of enthusiasm were repeated. Sir James Craig, in proposing a vote «f thanks, referred to Mr. Massey’s patrioic, sensible, business-like, mid encouraging address. He pleaded that New Zealand should extend a little nreference to Ulster goods. II anything happened to him, he hoped that Ulster would tempt Mr. Ata soy to become Prime Alinister of Nortnern Ireland. After the luncheon Mr. Massey and Sir James Allen inspeetd the flax research department. They privately dinod at Stormont in the evening with the Governor, the Duke of Abercorn, and Sir James Craig.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FREE TRADE DETRIMENTAL. London, November 29. Mr. Afassey, in an address to the Belfast Chamber of Commerce, said he did not-hesitate to say that the British free trade system was detrimental to the interests of Britain and the British people. It had had much to do with tho unemployment in Britain. The present system, though suitable 75 vears ago, was unsuitable now. Some people—and a few of thorn within our gates-—looked forward to the disintegration of the Empire. It was the business of loyal citizens to counteract all efforts in that direction. — Router.