MR. BALFOUR'S TRIUMPH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18019, 18 February 1922, Page 9

MR. BALFOUR'S TRIUMPH.

TRIBUTE BY THE PREMIER.

WORLD-WIDE HONOUR WON. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.(Reod. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 16.

Members and supporters of the Government gave a welcome lunoheon to Mr. A. J. Balfour oP his return from the Washington Conference. Mr. Lloyd George, who presided, said Mr. Balfour above all others at Washington helped to clear the skie s and treated great problems in a great way. Mr. ( Balfour had the most passionate love of, his country, and had won the honour and respect of the Empire and of the civilised world. He had won more than ever the trust and affection of multitudes of bis fellow countrymen. The Washington agreement had reduced the burdens and removed the anxieties, not merely of England, the Empire, Australia and New Zealand, but of all lands. It wag one of the most conspicuous services rendered to humanity. In his reply Mr. Balfour said the world owed an unaccountable debt of gratitude to the United States. Four months ago nobody efcpected that the vast area of the Pacific Ocean, in which anxiety and suspicion, preparation for possible wars, competing expenditures and something approaching mutual fear, were prevalcntr-would so soon change to its present conditions. All those wretched gympVoms threatening the East with horrors that Europe had passed through, had been completely ended. The foundation had been laid on which any great question might be settled. Mr. Balfour later was tumultously welcomed in the House of Commons, all i parties waving their order papers and I cheering him.