"A MODEST PART"

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 144, 15 December 1922, Page 7

"A MODEST PART"

DOMINION AMONG THE

NATIONS

SIR FRANCIS BELL'S WORK

Appreciation- of a notable misrfoaworthily accomplished was expressed by the friends of Sir Francis. Bell, X.0., K.C.M.G., last night, when he was their' guest at a banquet in the Empire Hotel. His Honuor the Chief Justice (Sir Robert .Stout) presided, and was supported by the Prime Minister, Ministers of the Crown, Sir Joseph Ward, leaders of the legal profession; and leaders in civic, financial, commercial, and professional circles.

In proposing the health of Sir Francis Bell, the Chief Justice said that, the greatness of a nation lay in the greatness of its men. Everywhere there was the need for great men in the world to-day, and they must exalt men of intelligence, ability, and character. If they were to have a country well governed they must reverence such men. The welcome given to Sir Francis Bell would show that New Zealand exalted and reverenced its great men. Sir Francis was the. son of a statesman who had held the flag of New Zealand high, and he had followed in his father's steps and worthily represented the Dominion. It was fortunate for us that we had among us such men to guide, direct, and advise us.

The Prime Minister and Sir John Find: lay also eulogised the services of Sir Francis Bell in New Zealand and as New Zealand's representative abroad. "Sir Francis Bell," said Sir John, "has never sought, popularity, and has always won esteea.."

Sir' Francis Bell in an eloquent and feeling reply, said that it was an enviable day in his life, to be so welcomed and be so spoken of by the Chief Justice. He referred humorously to the holi-^ day that had been promised hinij, and which he had intended to take in acting as ambassador to the M.C.O. to arrange for a ■visit from a cricket team and in touring over England. Instead of that good time he had had serious work and great responsibility. But. he would not have exchanged the experience for the good time. He desired to make it plain that the Pres6, in seeking to record fully the actions of a New Zealahder, had exaggerated the part he had played. He had always remembered that New Zealand was but a small country and he himself but one member of the Cabinet. He had sought to remember that New Zealand was not entitled-to a .great voice in the Conference except where" her own interests were directly affected. 'He had always felt that he had the responsibility of playing'a modest part that New. Zealand ought to play, modestly as our soldiers had played it. At Genoa the representatives of. the Dominions sat among the great statesmen of other countries as if they were equal. They were content for tho most part to be listeners, yet their. representation was necessary. As an illustration, the Economic Commission had been of opinion that for the restoration of the world no duty should be charged at any port against the products of any othsr country. It became necessary, then, for the representatives of the Dominions to make it plain that the Free Trade policy of Britain was not the policy of the Dominions. A great effort was made at Genoa to secure peace, but the Conference was adjourned, following the truculence of the Buf-sians. Sir Francis Bell referred briefly, also, to the Conferences at The Hague and to the Assembly of the League of Nations, and concluded with a moving description of the unveiling of the memorial erected at Longueval to the New Zealanders who fell at the Battle of the Somme. The Prime Minister also referred to New Zealand's place among the nations. He said that the frequent invitations received to international Conferences were a reminder of the change that had taken place. They, were full partners in the Empire with' all its privileges, which were great, and its responsibilities, which were many. He emphasised the responsibility 'entailed by partnership; -We were entitled now to be oonsulted regarding Empire defence, Empire communications, in which there was room for great improvement, and Empire migration. He was not glad fco see th»t there was unemployment in, Britain, but he was glad that when the time came for British citizens to leave the land of their birth they were being induced to go to the Dominions and strengthen them. It must not be thought, however.'that the improved status of the Dominions meant independence. We were still under the same King and under the same flag and we had a duty to do all in our power to advance the Empire. In the Near Bast crisis, when the Empire was threatened, New Zealand had been as willing to Play her p.art as she had been in the Tv ? ar- That danSer had Passed, and he hoped that never in this generation would a similar danger arise. He did not believe, however, that the Empire should sit still, and he believed that there was a great obligation to keep the Navy strong. That was the best wav to asure peace in the future.