WORK WELL DONE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 17, 21 January 1931, Page 10

WORK WELL DONE

m. FORBES'S RETURN

j. WCILINGTON WELCOME

PRAISE BY ALL PAETIES

An enthusiastic audience which filled the Town Hall, and from xvhieh one could not catch * dw sentient note, attended the en ie reception accorded last night to the , . Prime Minister (the Bight Hon. G. • W Forbes) and his party on their Sum from the Imperial Confer°nSpeakers representing both tho civic authorities and the three po- , Ktical parties in the House of • Kepresentatives agreed that Mi. ' . Forbes had fittingly voiced the sentiments of the Dominion in England, and that his'trip had been of great benefit to New Zealand. The Mayor,.Mr. G. A. Troup, presided and among those present -were Mrs. ' Troup, Mn. Forbes, Sir Thomas and Lady Sidey, the Hon. A. E. Ransom and Mrs. Bansom, the Hon. J. G. Oobbe and ■ Mis. Cobbe, the Hon. W. A.Veiteh, the Misses Forbes, Councillor and Mrs. M F. Luekie, Councillor and Mrs. C. H* Chapman, Councillor W. Hilclreth, Councillor T. C. A. Hislop, the Hon. K. M. M'Callum and Mrs. M'Callum, and Mr. P. Fraser,,M.P. Apologies were received from the Eight Hon. J. G. Coates, Leader of the Opposition, and Mr. H E. Holland, M.P., Leader of tho Labour Tarty(Mr. Coates arrived while Mr. Forbes ■was addressing the meeting.) "Mr Forbes, on your return to JNew Zealand from the Imperial Conference, I wish on behalf of the people of the City of Wellington to extend to you a most hearty welcome," said Mr. Troup. The Mayor said' that at any gathering such ac the Imperial Conference there must be unanimity before a decision could be given «ffeet to, and the position was made jfcven more difficult because of the different viewpoints of the countries represented. When a proposition met with the opposition of the senior partner, nothing could be.done. Such an impasse had-occurred, at the last Imperial Conference on the- question ,of Empire preference, but it was satisfactory to know that this great problem had not been shelved, but had been adjourned for further consideration. The door had not been locked - aad bolted; the problem still remained open for solution. After the way in which tne- Dominion Prime Ministers had put forward the case for Imperial preference, it would bo hoped that the people of Great Britain would settle the question definitely at the next election. It war evident that most good would result from the discussions among the different Prime Ministers, ' Who had a common aim, the welfare and happiness of the people of the Empire. Apart from the Conference, Mr. Forbes had had many opportunities in business, professional, and social spheres of making New Zealand's name better known, and all felt that Tie and his colleagues had been worthy representatives of the Dominion. As the senior' councillor, Councillor M. F. Luclde said that the • Imperial i Conference had been perhaps the most momentous that had taken place, not because of its immediate results, ; but because of its influence on the future. It had dealt' with a most important and I vital question affecting the lives andj property not only of the people of this j ' and other Dominions, but of the Homo Land itself. Imperial Conferences broadcasted the views of the Prime ' Ministers of the Dominions, and Imperial statesmen might well 'take a leaf -out of the book of visiting statesmen by travelling throughout tho Dominions and so gaining the, point of view 'of other parts of ■ the Empire. On behalf of the' councillors he extended to the delegation a hearty welcome home. ,■ On behalf of, the Reform Party, the Eight Hon. Sir Francis Bell said that all parties were glad to see Mr. Forbes back. He was one of the most popular members of Parliament, and all Parliamentarians were extremely glad to see Sim back again. "As a fellow Privy ■ Councillor,; I also welcome you," said Sir -FraneiSj "and as you are now a Doctor of Laws I can welcome you back as a colleague in that respect also." He saia that Mr. Forbes had placed the views of New Zealand before the Conference in a mariner that had gained the admiration of all. He had taken our part, stated what we wanted him to do, and did not say any more. On-behalf of the Labour Party, Mr. . C.*'Hi Chapman, M.P., said that it was an honour for any man to repre-. tent New Zealand at the Imperial Conference, and the least they could do was to give him a hearty welcome on nig return, irrespective of what party tie supported. The speaker said he had worked with Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald and Mr. Phillip SnoWden twenty-five years ago, and he asked Mr. Forbes f.o tell the people that these men, now that they were members of the British Government, had not put on "side." He also wished the Prime Minister to tell the people that England had nothing to fear from a Labour Government, and that the progress of England had not been retarded but greatly increased. CANADA'S TARIFF ON BUTTER. Loud applause greeted Mr. Forbes as he rose to reply. "When New Zealand eame,to Imperial questions," he said, "it became a question of Empire and not politics, and I can,assure you that that statement was thought a great deal of in Great Britain." He said that in England the sentiment towards the Dominions was sincere and deep. In Canada he had felt the same strong friendship towards New Zealand, but when he reached Ottawa he was informed that Canada had put a heavy duty on our butter. He had found also that during the recent Canadian elections the duty on New Zealand butter had been one of the principal arguments that had brought about the success of the new Government. As some had stated, the Government slid into office on New Zealand butter. He was sorry that the question had been made a political one. The Canadian Government had a right to protect its farmers, but it should also remember that New Zealand was one of Canada's greatest customers. New Zealand's policy was, as far as possible, to buy in the market • she sold in, and if Canada persisted, we would have to divert onr, produce to England and buy there. New Zealand did not want to enter into a tariff war, but recognised that the soundest basis of trade was to buy and sell in the same market. Canada had promised to xe-consider the position, and it was hoped that a better and more friendly Arrangement would be made than the one that existed at the present time. Everywhere in England ho had been received with unbounded hospitality. THE MATTER OP "SIDE." Mr. Forbes said he could tell Mr. Chapman that there was no "side" about Mr. Mac Donald or Mr. Snowden. In Great Britain the men that counted did not put on "side." He had not found the slightest vestige qf "side" amongst the leaders there. No matter what their title might be, they discussed matters with him in the friendliest manner. Tlicro was no formality at the Conference, and the problems had been discussed from every angle. He had pointed out Now Zealand's desire to buy in Britain, because the Dominion recognised that .prosperity

in Britain benefited New Zealand also. He had also pointed out that the Old Country might wisely buy from the Dominions. He did not make this suggestion in any bargaining spirit, because he recognised that if they were going to introduce the scales into the question the effect would be harmful. However, tho British Government had been returned on a Free* Trade policy, but the question had now become a national one at Home, and would b6 decided at an early date by tho peopje themselves. Ho had informed the British Government that, vegardless of its attitude on Imperial preference, New Zealand would still give preference to British goods. . When the question of tho Constitution of tho Empire came up for discussion, he had told the Conference that New Zealand was quite content to let things stand as they were. After all, it was not what was put down on paper that bound the Empire together, but the strong affection tho Dominions had for the Mother Land. He had been told many times that the New Zealand soldiers on leave in England had behaved like gentlemen, and this made him very , proud to be the representative of the Dominion. It also made one feel proud when the financiers in England spoke of the high standing of New Zealand's credit. There was no doubt that New Zealand's financial reputation had been built up by successive Governments over many years, and it said much for their ability and prudence. During his stay in England, Mr. Forbes said he examined' the marketing systems for the principal New Zealand products, and had found that buyers had confidence in the quality of our produce. Tributes had been paid to the Government grading system, and he' had told the merchants that New Zealand would endeavour, to continue by research and investigation to improve her products, because she recognised that she must maintain a higher quality than her competitors. He thanked the people of Wellington for the welcome they had extended to him, and said that it had been a great encouragement in the tasks before him. During the evening songs were contributed by Miss Majorie Bennie and Mr. Harison Cook, and Mr. Bernard F. Page played a number of items on the organ prior to the commencement of proceedings.