PREMIER IN LONDON

Evening Star, Issue 18393, 29 September 1923, Page 7

PREMIER IN LONDON

TRADE PREFERENCE

AND IMPERIAL UNITY.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

.LONDON, September 28. (Received September 29, at 11 a.m.) Mr Massey, interviewed, said that Britain’s only hope of landing new markets to replace the European ones lay in the overseas countries of the Empire, Similarly, Britain was the best market for the dominions. New Zealand during recent years had greatly increased the number of commodities whereon preference was given to Britain, and was prepared to go further, but must move with the British Government to realise the truth of the saying, “ United we stand, divided we fall.” “I hope,” he said, “ that when the dominions’ representatives return they will be able to report that the Empire is securely united.’’ Mr Massey favored the official interpretation of the constitutional position to be used when difficulties occurred. Ho declared that the British Empire to-day was more necessary than ever to the welfare and peace of the world. The Now Zealand naval force was only a nucleus, intended for the protection of the trade routes. He entirely approved of the Singapore base, and believed it was necessary in the interests of Australia, in view of events in Europe. We had arrived at a stage where it was necessary that every part of tho Empire should help economically tho other parts. Groat changes had occurred, and tho different parts of r tho Empire had become so interwoven that it was impossible to separate them. Owing to tho situation in Europe it was necessary that they should come together more closely than ever. That would not prevent Britain or any other country of tho Empire from trading with countries outside if it suited them.

Referring to tho constitutional position, Mr Massey said tho prerogatives of tlie Crown, as well as the rights of tho different countries, must be preserved and taken into consideration.

Mr Massey concluded:—“We must bo careful to see that there shall he no weakening of ties and no mistakes made, if it is humanly possible to avoid them.”—Reuter.