TO THE CONFERENCE.

Northern Advocate, 17 October 1923, Page 3

TO THE CONFERENCE.

PRIME MINISTER'S JOURNEY. INTERESTING PHASES. '(Special to "Northern Advocate.") The following special descriptive >a?ticle, dealing with the Dominion Prime Minister's voyage to the Homeland for the purpose of attending the Imperial Conference, is now made available for publication. The first portion of the journey of 'the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) to London —from Wellington to San Francisco —has bo en made binder very pleasant auspices. There lias been no stage of the trip that a yacht could not have made with perfect safety, and the heat of the tropics \\.i» not unduly oppressive. Though for the first few days showing unmistakably the strain of the late session, and "keeping in consequence to his cabin, the Prime Minister was soon in working mood again, and kept himself and lis staff busy several hours a day in his preparations for his task at the forthcoming Conference, a quantity of data in connection with which had been brought. The 'Frisco run includes calls at the "beautiful islands of Rarotonga and Tahiti. Though this is his fifth conference trip Mr Massey has not tr-.iA - elled before along this route, and consequently he made his first acquaintance with the Cook Islanders and they with him. It is also the first occasion on which a New Zealand Prime Minister had visited Rarotonga since the days of Mr Soddon. It should be stated that the moment Wellington Heads were cleared the s.s. Tahiti speeded up nearly three knots beyond her ordinary pace to enable the seven hours lost •at departure to be made up, to roach Rarotonga in daylight on Saturday, September 1, and to be away again before Sunday. The schedule time of arrival is usually Sunday morning. Ihc Islands, which are low lying, were j sighted at about noon on Saturday, i "September 1. Avarua roadstead was J -■entered at 2 p.m. and the anchor was dropped as near inshore as possib'-e. The rusted engines of the Maitai, and the iron bows of a sailing vessel lie just offshore as a warning to mariners against venturing too close to the Tcefs in this harbour. There were evidences of local anticipations of the visit in the flags wuich decorated the Government schooner lying in the port, and in the gaily* attired crowd, dimly seen from the ship, gathered about the landing stage. As the Tahiti came to anchor an eight-oared galley, rowed'in style by natives in naval uniforms, out ancl "brought Mr H. F. Ayson (Commissioner) and his staff and officials aboard, who formally welcomed Mr Massey and •extended a hearty invitation to him and his party to accept the hospitality of the island: The trip ashore was made in the Commissioner's galley. Like their first cousins the Maoris, the Rarotongans are undemonstrative, | Hbut there was keen interest, in the vi«it. It was only on the previous evening .that definite wireless intimation had been made available for the Commissioner that the Tahiti would be able to arrive before dark. Mr Massey was escorted through lanes of brightlv•nttired natives to the Council Chamber .adjoining the Commissioner's office, which was already full of Europeans and leading chiefs and others; and here Mr Ayson, speaking on behalf of <f the Arikis, Mataiapos, Rangitiras, and all people of Rarotonga, both European and native,'" extended a very hearty welcome. His speech was translated into the native tongue, as ,vas also that later of the Prime Minister. The substance of the speeches has already been despatched by wireless to New Zealand. RECEPTION SPEECHES AT RAROTONGA. Mr Ayson voiced the general deep regret that the hour or two of Mr Massey's stay prevented the islands 'from offering little more than a formal welcome. The native; would have liked "to have done very much more. They ■could only hope that the visit would be repeated at some future date. The course of events in New• Zealand, Mr Avson, was very keenly followed by the European inhabitants of :re islands, and Mr Mass:yname v.-as ■consequently very well known to tiiem all. It was hoped that before his term ■of office expired the Governor-General, "Lord Jellicoe. would visit the island; and the natives also looked forward ■confidently to a vi.rit from their own Minister, the Hon. Sir Maui Pom-ire. who so thoroughly understood the needs of the islands. Appreciation was expressed at the financial assistance that, "New Zealand had given, particularly in Tegard to education and medical services, and the wireless station, a.nd it was hoped that in the future the same sympathetic, help would be extended. "Mr Ayson also extended a hearty welcome to Commodore Hotham who, on the occasion of the visit of the Chatham, had made many warm friends on the islands. Hakae Tinirau, the r>hW Arikl ef the islands, through the interpreter * offered grettings. natives realised the great work whi<*h the Prime Minister was journeying to perform. They asked that their great loyalty and love for the King might be expressed to His Majesty, and their prayers that his reign would be a'long and illustrious one. The Ariki. also said that the people were well satisfied with the way

Bir Maui Pomarc liad carried out his luties, and they wished to pay the iarao tribute to, their Commissioner. Tiparetu, another chieftain, and the Rev. H. Bond James, a London Missionary Society minister, also spoke; ind in replying Mr Massey, who was received with cheers, thanked all the residents of the islands for their hearty velcome to him as the representative )f the Government, and expressed his regret at not being able to remain longer with them. He hoped the Governorjeneral would be able to visit them, md if he did they would find him a nan after their own heart. Sir Maui Pomarc would have been there before jnlv the work of the session had presented it. Mr Massey expressed pleasirc at the evident prosperity of the slands, the exports of which , had considerably ■exceeded the imports. He ivould never forget the response of the Rarotongans in the days of the Empire's peril, and he would convey with pleasure their loyal message to the [ving. (Applause). i DRIVE ROUND THE ISLAXD. i After the cereomny and a formal rejeption of the leading natives and j Europeans, the Prime Minister was | notored round the island, a distance of 22 miles, on an excellent road. From ihe sea the island appears to be a vol;anic protuberance, with little foreshore, but this impression is dispelled ;vhen ashore. Rich lands, covered with jocoahut palms, orange and banana irees, flowering -tropical foliage and uxuriant growth, extend for a considerable distance back from the waterFront to the foothills. The interior valleys and the lower slopes of the hills ?row cocoanuts, but not to any great extent, and the natives themselves live in their plantations along the shore lats. Evidences throughout the drive ivere plentiful of the industry of the sland. The cocoanut plantations were ;vell-kept; trim tomato gardens, oranges, and banana groves weTe everywhere, md the natives' houses, generally speaking, exhibited happy care and at:ention. There are virtually no other 'oloured races on the islands beyond ;he natives themselves. The coast road provides a most 'harming drive in the cool of the even,ng. It runs for the 22 miles beneath i canopy of waving cocoanut palm-?, nterlaced in many places with the rich :ropical foliage, through which glimpses of the picturesque shore and adjacent islets, set in waters of the deepest blue, charm the vision. Fragile native eatamarnns dotted the sea. The islanders are great fishers, and the vaters abound with fish. Rarotoega >ffers the tourist or the holiday-maker i most pleasant week or fortnight of I :>ure relaxation. Churches seemed to j ->e everywhere—white, simple edifices | ->uilt of coral sand and mortar. The London Missionary Society for generations has had the chief religious care if the islanders in its particular •harge, and its work appears to have been well and thoroughly done. In the evening the Commissioner held an official dinner at his resiednce, and later his galley carried the Prime Minister back to the Tahiti. Fortunately the water was calm and the unloading of cargo from the ship into the shore barges was carried out expeditiously. The Cook Islanders themselves ire entrusted with this work, and they ilso drive the little steam launches :hat tow the barges between the ship the shore. The anchorage was left -,oon after 10 p.m. TAHITI BEACHED. The Society Islands, of which Tahiti is the chief, were reached just after the midday meal two days later, on September r». A wireless message hid •some days previously come from the Governor, M. Rivet, welcoming Mr Massey and inviting him to dine officially at Government House. The Island of Moerea, which, approaching from the west, is passed first, is strangely j lilce the "VVhangarei Harbour headlands with its fantastic peaks and minarets. Papeete town lies picturesquely on a coral reef-surrounded harbour on the main island of Tahiti, which appears volcanic in character, rich in tropical colouring, and with mountains culminating in a height of 7000 feet. Its population, besides the native Polynesian Tahitians. comprises chiefly Chinese, with a fewer number of French and Americans. The houses are French in character. Papeete was shelled by a Gor-uui warship early in the Great War. 'he evidences of which are still to be se m in shattered brick walls in the town. His Excellency, M. Rivet, his private secretarv, ami the Permanent Secretary of the Administration, came aboard as soon as the Tahiti had Iverthed alongside the jetty, and it was apparent that fashionable Papeete had come forth fo witness the ceremony. His Excellency wore his uniform. He invited the party to dinner that evening and asked that the Prime Minister's attendance thereat should be regarded as the official return visit. Cars Ave re pro\ T idcd. and a pleasant dri\ r e iollowed through the most interesting portions of Papeete and the suburban areas. fn character Tahiti, which chieflv exports copra, is not unlike I the Cook Islands, though the systems j of colonisation differ. i The. dinner in the evening was a I notable function, and their Fxcellen- | cies proved charming hosts. Heads of | various Government departments Ave re present, and the British Consul and Vice-Consul. The toasts of his Majesty, King George, and his representative, in the Dominion, Lord Jellicoc,

coupled with Mr Massey's name, weTe proposed by his Excellency. Mr Masscy replied, and then proposed the healths of the President of France, and M. Rivet. It was an extremely cordial and pleasant gathering, and it also marked the first occasion on which a New Zealand Prime Minister has been so honoured at Tahiti. Papeete was left at 5 o'clock on Tuesday morning, the vessel having reduced her customary .stay in port from 24 hour.? to 14. ITEMS EN ROUTE. By wireless the s.s. Tahiti received intimation of the Japanese disaster, and was kept informed of subsequent events in connection therewith. It may interest some to know that easy direct touch is maintained with the Wellington wireless station until tvvo days north of the Equator. After that the station is not so readily picked up. On Sepember 8 the "Wireless News," the ship's daily paper, contained the following item:—"An interesting and instructive 'talk' upon ill? Dominion of New Zealand, incidents of its early history, its settlement, colonisation, development, participation in the South African and European wars, and its present prosperous condition, was delivered in the saloon music room last evening by the Prime Minister of New Zealand (Mr Massey). The address was extremely interesting, and coming from so high an authority was very much appreciated. Historic anecdotes of Maori chivalry and ing stories were included. After + he address Mr H. Drew showed a number of excellent lantern slides of New Zealand industries and scenery. A vote of thanks, proposed by Prof. Angus, and seconded by Sir Benjamin Puller, was accorded Mr Massey, and 'He's a Jolly Good Fellow' was sung. Commodore Hot ham presided." From Papeete to 'Frisco (or rather Ran Francisco, for the inhabitants dislike the abbreviation) was an extremely pleasant run, with the weather still beautiful and the sea calm. On the night before the arrival at destination the saloon tables at dinner were gaily decorated, and the menu card was ingeniously made up to form tlie acrostic: "We all wish Mr Massey God-speed." At the conclusion of the dinner Captain Aldwcll, on behalf of the passengers and the ship's officers and staff, expressed the pleasure it had given them all to have Mr Massey with them on the voyage, and they low wished him God-speed on his import-int. mission and a safe return to God's Own Country. Mr Massey's health was then drunk with musical honours. In replying the Prime Minister fxI pressed his sincere thanks for the kivl j wishes, and spoke most <sn : t-husiarft,i-I callv of the pleasure of the voyage, the most enjoyable from the point of travel he had ever made. It had been a pleasure trip, which had transformed him to the best of health and vigour. To this the accommodation of the vessel and the splendid attention of fie ship's staff had largely contributed. The journey had been a record one, the ordinary time having been reduced by nearly four days, and this spoke volumes for the condition of the ship's machinery. It made him think of the possibilities of reducing the ordinary mail service times across the Pacific, and this was a matter he intended to go into with the shipping company when he reurned, and to see if some arrangement could not be come to. In return he proposed the health of Captain Aldwell and his officers and staff, and afterwards that of the Chief Engineer, Mr McArthur, and his stuff. The Tahiti arrived at San Franci'-seo on the Thursday evening, September L'\ at 0 o'clock, and passengers were able to go. ashore that night. Her actual time from Wellington was 15 days IS hours and her average steam; :g time for the journey was 1*5.1 knots per I hour —a record. At San Francisco the Prime Minister was handed a letter conveying greetings from the President of the United States, and a high Customs official attended on the vessel to see that- the , port facilities were extended. Later the Mayor of San Francisco, Mr "Rolf, called upon Mr Massey and welcomed him on behalf of the city. A MESSAGE FROM SAMOA. While at sea the Prime Minister received the following wireless message from tli o Administrator of Samoa, Major-General Richardson: —"For myself, all officers of the Administration, and the European and native inhabitants of Samoa, wish you every success in your efforts on behalf of the Empire at the Imperial Conference. Citizens have desired nie to express hope that you will be able to call at Samoa on your return from the Conference. Fautaus and Faipules on behalf of Samoan race wish you to assure his Majesty, the King, of their Ji;>ppiness and devotion to him ard the British Empire.'' To this Mr Massey replied:—"Sincerely thank yourself, A <'mi nisrration officers, European arid native in'iabitants for good wi-.hes expressed your telegram. Return route uncertain; bu 4look forward to visiting Samoa no dis- | j tant date. Shall be proud convey his | Majesty loyal greetings from Fautaus J and Faipules, Samoan race. Kia Ora." j GREETINGS AT SKA. | One message by wireless typical of many received by the Prime Minister from New Zealanders in ships on the Pacific, and signed by fifteen "loyal .sons of Maoriland" on the Maunganui, was as follows: —"Greetings to our