MR. MASSEY AT THE CONFERENCE

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 16, 21 July 1921, Page 8

MR. MASSEY AT THE CONFERENCE

Writing on "Who's Who at the Imperial Conference," the London correspondent of Sydney Sun says :—

"The big and bluff Mr. Massey is a popular figure here. It has taken people time to find out his fine qualities, but his three visits in three years have enabled them to do so. The only member of the Empire Council who is not ai lawyer—except the one ' who is a maharajah—'Mr. Massey is bluntly a man of the soil, with the farmer's plain outlook. Ho is the veteran, 65 years of age, and; his speeches are always practical. A big question worries. Jmn intensely, for no man is more anxious to do right. He makes no bones about seeking the o.dvico of .experienced leaders here—Mr. Balfour and Mr. Lloyd George are his fim* friends. There is no idea of lonej-hand playing about him. Perhaps that is ■.vhere lime will record a mistake.. But in the meantime it is unquestionably in accord with tho opinion of New Zealand, the most British community in the world;, and the one most loyal to old conceptions _of the Empire. "Eager to show its guests the utmost hospitality, the British. Government sent to Mr. Massey tickets for a box at the Derby, and provided a fine can- for his transport. It was characteristic of the man that he refused to go. 'New Zealand did not send me here to sco the Derby ' lie said, and the protestations of others were of no avail." .