DOMINION LEADERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16560, 8 June 1917, Page 6

DOMINION LEADERS.

THEIR INFLUENCE AT HOME.

A crowded audience attended the lecture on "Britain at War," delivered last night at the Mangere Hall by Mr.C J. Parr, M.P., under the auspices of tho local patriotic association. Mr. M. Kirkbride presided.

In the course of his remarks, Mr. Parr said he was glad to speak in the horns (district of the Prime Minister, the Flight Hori\ W. F. Massey. Some critics had said that Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward ought not to bo away from tbj Dominion. He thought, on the contrary, that they had done excellent Imperial work by going to London. Indeed, one or the other of them, he considered, should have remained in London. The presence of a New Zealand Cabinet Minister 'all tho time at tho Empire's centre was necessary if the Dominion's interests wore tt> receive proper attention.

" The interests of our army in Europe, which now numbers over 40,000 men," said Mr. Parr, " really requires this. It is in the best interests of our soldiers that a Cabinet Minister should be on the spot. Evory week there arise problems in connection with tho army, or supplies, or hospitals, and tho presence of a Dominion Minister in London would make for prompt and decisive action. Too much timo is lost in cabling and writing letters. Moreover, tho presence of a Minister in, London would prevent improper promotion or any possible high-handed military action, and bo a guarantee to our soldiet-s of fair treatment from everybody. Again, the Homo Cabinet leans more and more upon the Dominion representatives, and frequently takes their counsel in times of crisis. "Mr. Massoy and Sir Joseph Ward havo given a great fillip to tho cause of Imperial unity and their strong loyalty to the Empire must have been a considerable encouragement to tho sorely-tried British Cabinet in these serious days." (Applause.) Mr. Parr at the close of his address was accorded a vote of thanks.