MR. MACDONALD FAREWELLED

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 September 1929, Page 5

MR. MACDONALD FAREWELLED

ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF

MINISTER’S WATCH STOLEN

(Australian Press Assn.) (By Came—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

LONDON, September 28.

Mr Ramsay MacDonald had a wonderful send-off on his historic mission to the United States. Crowds gathered at Waterloo Station in the evening to witness his departure for Southampton to join the “Berengaria.” Distinguished people had to fight their way through thousands to reach the platform. During the struggle, Mr Tom Shaw, Minister of War, lost his watch. General Dawes, and many members of the Cabinet, were waiting when the Prime Minister, with his daughter, Miss Ishbel MacDonald, arrived. There were resounding cheers when Mr MacDonald and Miss MacDonald stood together for the photographers. Then the Prime Minister and General Dawes faced a battery of cameras. The train slowly steamed out, being fifteen minutes late, amid redoubled cheers, and the singing of “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” this completely drowning the singing of “The Red Flag.” ’ On arrival at Southampton, the Prime Minister was looking tired, but otherwise well. He was conducted to the luxurious, self-contained suite on the Berengaria, -which was intended for the ex-Kaiser before the war, when the Berengaria was called the “Imperator.”

MESSAGE TO LABOUR.

LONDON, September 29.

Mr. MacDonald, before sailing, left a message to the Labour Party Conference at Brighton, opening on Monday, wherein he says:—We are. not trying to present other nations with a fait accompli, which they must take or leave. What we are determined to avoid is that the general march forward towards disarmament may be held up in the future as in the past, while two great Naval Powers, ourselves and America, halt at the wayside to argue then* special difficulties. Mr. MacDonald warned the Party with reference to home legislation, that the time was needed to study the problems, and to prepare plans capable of withstanding the severest test of criticism.

WARM WELCOME PREDICTED.

WASHINGTON, September 28

“As I sense the prevailing sentiments of this country towards Mr Ramsay MacDonald’s visit, it is one of warm welcome to him personally, and a sincere hope that he and President Hoover may completely succeed in their negotiations,” said Sir Esme Howard, British Ambassador, in an interview. “Most of Mr. MacDonald’s time in America will be spent with President Hoover, either at White House, or at the President’s new fishing camp at Virginia. The plan is to leave the two leaders much together, so that they may smooth away the existing difficulties, and prepare for a final agreement, if possible, at the coming Naval Conference.” U.S.A. PRESS COMMENTS. NEW YORK, September 28. The Press hails Mr. MacDonald’s departure for the United States. The “New York Herald” says: “There is something momentous in the thought that the Prime Minister is now on his way to the United States. Historians will be able to assess the full significance of his visit when the mission is thoroughly understood. The moment is indeed auspicious, and statesmen of both Powers should strain every nerve to take full advantage thereof.” The New York Times deplores the French tendency to see AngloAmerican friendship as Anglo-Saxon domination over the world, and it stresses that the Anglo-American reapproachment is an “enormous gain for security. When two countries agree among themselves they make an enormous contribution to general peace.” The New York World says: “The visit involves the recognition of the profound community of interest between the United States and Britain, which lies beneath the surface of differences over cruisers, debts gnd the like.”

HONOUR FOR MR KELLOGG.

WASHINGTON, September 28.

The French Embassy announced that the Government has awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour to Mr Kellogg, in recognition of his achievements in the peace negotiations towards the outlawry of war.

THE PRICE OF PEACE.

OTTAWA, September 27.

Addressing the Canadian Club at Victoria, to-day, Dr. F. T. Woods, Bishop of Winchester, said: “The greatest problem facing our age to-day is the reconciliation of efficient Government with the liberty of the individual. The British Empire is, I hope, on her way to lead the world in this respect.” He based his prediction on Britain’s stand for liberty throughout the ages, and on her ingrown respect for law. “The highest object to be sought,”’ he said, “is one law by which justice, fellowship and peace shall be recognised by all nations. Of course, all nations seek to retain their rights and sovereignty, but they cannot retain complete sovereignty when they acknowledge one law in the international law of peace. We should be prepared to surrender whatever needs to be surrendered of our fullest liberty to gain this end. The British Empire furnished to the world an example of how each of its individual units could retain its rights of sovereignty, and yet combine into one great commonwealth. The sacrifices of peace are nothing compared to the sacrifies of war.”

FRENCH NAVAL ESTIMATE.

LONDON, September 28.

“The Times’s” Paris correspondent states that the Chamber of Deputies Finance Committee passed the 1930 naval estimates for £20,688,000, being £1,584,000 more than in 1928.