HIS FIRST CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 19386, 21 October 1926, Page 2

HIS FIRST CONFERENCE

MR COATES INTERVIEWED TRIBUTE TO MR MASSEV LONDON, October 20. Mr Coates, asked to give his impressions of his first Imperial Conference, stated: “ Though tho conference room painfully recalled the fact that 1 was present to fill the vacancy caused by Mr Massey’s death, 1 am proud and honored to bo allowed to represent New Zealand in the councils of the Empire. I was inspired by the depth of sincerity and affection which marked the references to Mr Massey, who was also described as ‘ the father of the Imperial Conference.’ On taking my scat alongside Sir Francis Bell 1 did not fail to remember that Sir Francis Bell's father, as far back as 1887, represented in the same room the then colony of New Zealand at a Colonial Conference, which was one of tho earliest forerunners of tho Imperial Conferences. Mr Baldwin’s references to Mr Massey will be received in New Zealand with greatest appreciation. His high belief in the destinies of the Empire, t his optimism as to its future, and his firm determination to do all that man can do to further its interests still live and flourish in New Zealand. “Questions of the greatest importance, and some of grave difficulty will require our consideration in tho near future. In a. most real sense the wellbeing of the British Commonwealth will depend upon the results of our deliberations. Tbeir solution will demand the highest qualities of goodwill, mutual tolerance, and statesmanship. We hold in our hands a weighty trust, not only on behalf of our own peaple. but on behalf of the whole world. My enunciation of this principle in the New Zealand Parliament evoked no dissentient opinion in any political quarter. Situated as tho parts of the Empire are, many thousand miles apart, it is inevitable that without a means of exchanging the thousand viewpoints our interests tend to diverge and the Empire to drift apart. As the resolutions of the conference are valueless unless they represent the true feelings of

the individual peoples concerned eo that they may subsequently be translated into effective action, the conference must, before all, aim at agreement. “ This is a fitting opportunity to express the sense or sympathy of men and women of all shades of opinion in New Zealand with regard to the struggle of the Mother Country to overcome the difficulties that are now confronting her. Many of Britain’s financial troubles are duo to her scrupulous observance of tho nicest points of honor and obligation. None can doubt tho capacity of the British people to triumph over obstacles. New Zealand will regard it as a privilege to assist this great country in so far as its small resources allow. We feel no sense of reproach for the actions of the past, but a very earnest desire to extend our co-operation in the future. Tho question of the form which that assistance will take is most difficult, but I desire to give an assurance of our most sympathetic examination of any proposal.” In closing, Mr Coates emphasised his agreement with Mr Baldwin's remarks on the subject of the war graves of tha men who died fighting—not for the ideals of New Zealand alono, but for ideals which are the heritage and pride of all as units of the Empire.