OUR LEADERS AT HOME.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLVI, Issue 12998, 10 November 1916, Page 5

OUR LEADERS AT HOME.

[Br Electric Telegraph—Copyjught.] Per Pkess Association. (Australian and' N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received November 8, at 7.25 p.m. London, November 9. _ Tlie. Executive of the Imperial Air Fleet Committee tendered a banquet to Sir Joseph Ward at the Hath Club. Mr Massey and Sir Thomas Mackenzie were present. Sir Joseph Ward, in responding to tho toast of his health, remarked _ui>on the marvellous evolution r.f aviation daring the past three years. The people had been impressed by what the Imperial Committee had done to crestsinterest in Hying. Britishers must make tip their minds that no combination-of Powers Would outvie them on the sea, on the land, and in the air. He was strongly impress: d by the necessity of Ministers visiting the overseas, and thus helping the Empire defence. It would be a great blunder to wait until peace came before they made up their minds as to wknt they were gonig to do in trade matters. They must resolve that the Empire shall be made more self.contained and more «?lt-re!iant than hitherto.

Lord Desborough. in proposing Mr. Massey's health, paid a tribute to New Zealand's encouragement *of the Imperial Air Fleet Committee.- He could assure thein that a large public opinion was growing in England that the overseas ninst be taken into consultation and their views considered. A movement was now afoot to consolidate this opiniou. • Mr Majscv, replying, said that undoubtedly the overseas must have a voice in Imperial affairs in future. Received November 9 ,at 5.25 p.m. London, November 8.

Mr Massoy presided at an anniversary in connection with the Salvation Army women's social work.