IMPERIAL QUESTIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10985, 22 August 1921, Page 5

IMPERIAL QUESTIONS

VIEWS OF MR MASSEY BRITAIN SHOULD NOT DESERT JAPAN. THE TRADE OUTLOOK. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. , (Received August 21, 5.5 p.m.) LON-DON, August 20. Air AY. F. Massey was presented with tho freedom of Sheffield. Alter the ceremony in the Council Chamber, at which the- Lord Aluyor presided. Air Massey emphasised the value of Imperial conferences. Air Lloyd George and his colleagues -had done everything possible to meet the Dominions’' wishes. There was nothing about which wo united and could reasonably ask for which was not granted. Justifying the continuance of the Japanese Treaty, lie said Japan was not compelled to assist us, but came to our aid, especially in the Pacific. It would not he in the British character to turn our backs upon those who were loyal in our greatest danger. He would like to -see a triplicate arrangement between Britain, th© United States, and Japan, as he believed it would be for the good of the world. Ho regretted that the idea of a consultation preliminary to the Washington Conference regarding the Pacific had been turned down.

Mr Massey was also entertained at lunch by the- firm of Vickers, and inspected the works. Speaking at the luncheon, he said it was necessary, to strengthen the bonds of Empire. New Zealanders had not failed in this direction in the past, and would not fail in the future. He hoped Britain’s industrial supremacy would soon be restored, but he could see lots of competition coming along. The Empire must put in lots of energy. As regards Imperial preference, Britain was receiving Dominion' goods without charging a penny, whereas other countries blocked us by Customs duties. He trusted Britain was not going to open her doors to those, who closed theirs against her in order that they might flood Britain with dumped goods. Later, Mr Massey visited York, and from there he went to Darlington. FOR BRITISH PEOPLE NEW ZEALAND’S STRICT IMMIGRATION LAAVS. ' .(Received August 21, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 20. Air Massey, at Darlington, in accepting the freedom of the city, declared that the immigration laws of New Zealand were the most drastic in the Empire, because she did not allow people to come from any country except Britain without obtaining the permission of the New Zealand Government. Tile effect would be that, in years to, come the people of New Zealand would be more' of British stook than any colony in the Empire. New Zealand was passionate in her demand for unity of Empire, and the people , looked upon themselves as British citizens from now to the day of judgment. The Empire must jealously guard its sea-power. If. the connections with the Pacific went the Empire would be at an end.