MINISTERS' RETURN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16980, 14 October 1918, Page 7

MINISTERS' RETURN

NATIONAL LEADERS

THE PRIME MINISTER AND SIR J. WARD.

ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND.

EMPIRE ANli THE WAR.

ALLIES' GREAT TASK.

The Prime Minister, the Right Hon. W. F. Massey, and the Minister for Finance, Sir Joseph Ward, returned to New Zealand from England on Saturday. after having being absent from the Dominion for five months. They reached Auckland by the steamer Niagara, in which they left this port on May 2. Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward are both in excellent health. The Prime Minister was accompnnied by his youngest son, Major F. G. Massey, D.5.0., M.C., and Mr. F. D. Thomson, private secretary. Sir Joseph Ward also was accompanied by his youngest son, Mr. A. P. Ward, and Mr. H. 0. Browne, private secretary. The returning Ministers, who landed in the afternoon, were met by Mrs. Massey, Lady Ward, and members of their families, by the Minister for Defence, Sir (James Allen, the Hons. Arthur M. Myers, W. D. S. Mac Donald, and Dr. Pomare, the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, the chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr. H. D. Heather, the officer commanding the district. Colonel G. W. S. Patterson, and a number of other prominent citizens. The Mayor explained to the two leaders that, owing to the outbreak of sickness on the Niagara, it had been deemed advisable to postpone the proposed public reception. Mr. Gunson, on behalf of the citizens, expressed regret that it had been found impossible to carry out the contemplated programme, but said that he hoped an opportunity of according a fitting welcome would occur on another occasion. Both Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward, in thanking the Mayor, expressed their concurrence in the action that had been taken in cancelling the reception programme. The returning Ministers, shortly after landing, were driven to their rooms at the Grand Hotel. Thoy attended the meeting of the Auckland Orphans' Club on Saturday evening, when speeches were made by both Ministers. Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward, in company with their colleagues, left for Wellington by a special train last- evening. Mrs. Massey, Lady Ward, and other members of the respective families also were passengers' by the train.