MR. MASSEY'S RETURN

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 21, 25 January 1924, Page 2

MR. MASSEY'S RETURN

CIVIC RECEPTION IN AUCKLAND

IMPERIAL ECONOMICS.

(BI TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

AUCKLAND, 24th January. There was a riote of cordial friendship in the official and general welcome given the Hon. W. F. Massey on his arrival yesterday. He! seemed greatly improved in health, and was greeted by a large, assembly of Ministers, members of Parliament, and representatives and citizens. The fact that the Makura was a day ahead of schedule time brought up the question of speeding up the mails. Mr. Massey saidi serious consideration would be given to the matter when the new mail contract was discussed. Addressing a great gathering, at the civic reception in the Town Hail to-night Mr. Massey, who was received with cheers, said Now Zealanders had every reascjn to congratulate themselves on. being the most prosperous part of. the Empire. Mr. Massey said he wished' to discuss briefly the business'of, the Imperial Conference, and he had no hesitation in stating if the J»"mpire was to stand it was' necessary that representatives of the various units should come together "round the table." The virtue of these round-table conferences could not be over-emphasised in overcoming difficulties. Proceeding to the economic problems Before the Conference, Mr. Massey said he was a great believer in Empire preference, than which nothing could prove a stronger bond in keeping together the Imperial family. There was no proposal at the (Conference to give preference to meats, cheese, or butter, but the resolution related to what might be called minor matters, and Mr. Massey said he had not given up hope of final ap-' proval. He could not believe any Government would turn down the measure of preference proposed. Another thing -was the contracts for the Army and Navy. It had,been decided that they should be left, if possible, within the Empire, which could produce for itself all it wanted and should do so. He was sorry to have to admit that the heart of the Empire was in the midst of great difficulties which must be remedied. Anything that interfered with'Brit'ain's prosperity prejudiced the Dominions' markets. • A million and a quarter people were unemployed in Britain to-day, and the worst' thing was the soul-destroy-ing dole. Boys, since the War, had done mo work,-learnt no trade, and were living simply on the dole. Britain was also struggling under a huge load of debt, but all her liabilities had been honoured. Mr. Massey said he. hoped other nations would realise their responsibilities, and relieve Britain of what was really their indebtedness. Mr, Massey said that when he left the Dominion, five months ago,, the/outlook was not very good.. He had not felt justified in reducing the income tax below 5s lOd, but .with the nine months' revenue returns before him he believed he could have made greater concessions, and that might come about next session. The Premier emphasised the necessity' of teaching British history' in British \schools. The Empire, he said, must oe envisaged as responsible for the welfare of four hundred, and :fifty millions!" If anything came to break the Empire, what would happen, he asked, to all these people; in fact, to civilisation itself? Civilisation would be at an end. It was essential, therefore, for the Empire to stand together for its own sake and in the cause of world welfare. ' , Discussing the European situation, Mr. Massey said Germany had never shown any desire to comply with the Versailles Treaty. She was possibly asked to pay too much, but had not done what she should. Turning to France, he could not justify the occupation in the Euhr. That was far too serious a step.. But he sympathised with France, owing to her great material and human sacrifices. Germany should still pay, and he hoped that the Commission recently created would bo successful in reaching an agreement as to Germany's ability to pay. No Imperial Conference could neglect defence questions. After the war all military forces had been greatly reduced, but the Conference had decided {.hat the Empire, whatever happened, was going to uphold, its prestige by maintenance of sea power.