EMPIRE TRUSTEES

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 24, 29 January 1924, Page 5

EMPIRE TRUSTEES

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE, REPRESENTATIVES

ME. jMASSEY ON LOYALTY.

That representatives of the different parts of the Empire at Imperial Conferences are in the/position of .trustees whose special duty it is to hold the Empire for* those who will come after them, and pass it on brighter and better than ever, was the view, expressed by the Prime Minister at thejcivic welcopie" tendered him yesterday, when referring to his work at the recent Conference,

There were people who disparaged the British Empire, said Mr. Massey, and who said' it would meet with the same fate as other empires of the past; having risen to its zenith and would' go down the same as others. When he looked round ana saw what had happened in recent years he sometimes felt pessimistic and despondent, but, after all, there, was a Providence, and he believed that Providence would keep the British Empire together. ■ (Applause.) He knew this that so far as its usefulness was concerned the British Empffe had done more. for humanity, civilisation, and Christianity than any other Empire the world had ever seen. Mr. Massey referred to a recent cable message which he said tried to leave the impression . that, there was disloyalty in London, and that the Sovereign and Heir to the Throne were not treated with proper' respect when proceeding to Parliament. There was no question in his mind .but that the cable was inspired, and was to be taken with a big grain of salt and treated with every possible suspicion* He- did not believe the story for one moment. "I have not been staying in London on five different for months at a time, without understanding the London people," continued Mr. Massey, "and I can say . this : that Heaven help the : man or woman who showed any disrespect to the' King or Queen passing on their way to the opening of the British Parliament." He had heard people say that Canada was going to "cut the painter" and drift out of the Empire. He had met many thousands/of people in Canada, for he addressed big meetings there, and he' saw not the least sign of such athing. The audiences he addressed in Canada were just as loyal as the audiences lie addressed in New Zealand as far as he could judge, and that was saying a very great deal. The citizens of the Empire were as loyal as the citizens of New Zealand, and there was nothing more to be said. Mr. Massey paid a high tribute to the Canadian Government and the railway authorities for having done everything it .was possible to do for him and his party. Canada's action had been very neighbourly, and he" had invited the officials there to come New Zealand, when their kindness would be reciprocated. "We' are. jolly good neighbours." added Mr. Massey. "and I hope the different countries of the Empire will continue to be good neighbours. There are only about 5000 miles of salt water between us, and this is nothing in these times." He was glad to' have the opportunity of publicly thanking the C;.nadian authorities and people for tho treatment they had accorded him. (Applause.)