MR AMERY’S VISIT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20286, 20 December 1927, Page 10

MR AMERY’S VISIT.

IMPORTANCE OF HIS MISSION. UNDERSTANDING DOMINION’S VIEWPOINT. STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, December 19. “ I cannot express too warmly my appreciation of the value of the visit of the Right Hon. L. S. Amery, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs,” said the Prime Minister this morning in paying a tribute to the good work by our visitor during his brief but important visit to New Zealand. “ In his epoch-making tour vf the overseas dominions of the Empire,” said Mr Coates, “ Mr Amery has shown an amazing .capacity for work, and in the short while at his disposal he has made himself conversant with many of the problems that face the Dominion. He did not come among us as a stranger. He was here with the Empire parliamentary delegates, and his present visit was more in the nature of renewing acquaintance, an acquaintance which we are proud to know was a pleasant one.

“ It is impossible to over-estimate the importance of the visit of the Secretary of State for the Dominions while he is still in office. Mr Amery has got into close and sympathetic touch with the outlook of the different dominions of the Empire, and the knowledge he has gained must knit closer the bonds which already exist. He has made himself acquainted with our legislation and our general attitude towards Empire matters, including such vital matters as Empire trade and Empire migration. We have had very full and satisfactory discussions between Mr Amery and the Government of New Zealand. Among the questions threshed out were immigration, land settlement and its possibilities, the Pacific cable, which, as you are aware, is the joint concern of the Motherland, and Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, reciprocal old age pensions, the condominium problems in the New Hebrides, matters connected with Nauru and Ocean Islands whence New Zealand draws its supplies of superphosphates, and Pacific relations generally. There were also a number of matters of a confidential nature that at a later stage we will be able to refer to more freely. Our visitor will, I am certain, return to the Old Country with a wider grasp of our problems and difficulties, and will be able to interpret our point of view to the Government and to the people in a way that would be impossible if he had not made this world tour.

“In addition to the business aspect of Mr Amery’s visit, it is also interesting to know that we will have in him a strong admirer of our wonderfully varied scenery. It is the first time we have had a visit from a statesman who is a keen mountain climber. I should like to say how much we have appreciated the presence of Mrs Amery. As a hostess in London she was known to a number of New Zealanders. Now she is known to a much wider circle, and in her we have no less than in Mr Amery one who will be able to explain us to our kin in the Motherland. In her keenness to encourage shopping within the Empire Mrs Amery has given us a message which is more than ever necessary.

" In wishing good-bye to our guests wc can only hope that their excellent example will be followed by others, and that by means of these personal visits those who look after the affairs of the dominions at the heart of the Empire will know as much about us and understand us as well as they do the people of the Old Country." VISIT TO ROTORUA. (Pna United Prsx3 association.) ROTORUA, December 19. Mr Amery and party, since their arrival on Sunday, have spent a busy time visiting Whakarewarewa, and inspecting the forest service. To-day Mr Amery lunched with the Rotary Club, where he gave an impressive address on Imperial aims, immigration, and the beauty of the scenery of New Zealand. On the eve of his departure he wished New Zealand health, wealth, and happiness. The members of the party attended a Maori entertainment at the King's Theatre this afternoon, and were greatly delighted. Mr Amery was presented with a taraha and a walking stick, and Mrs Amery with a woven headband. The party left by the afternoon train for Auckland.