MR AMERY’S VISIT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20287, 21 December 1927, Page 10

MR AMERY’S VISIT.

A VALUABLE EXPERIENCE. RECOGNITION OF DOMINION VIEWPOINT. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, December 20. The Secretary of State lor ihe Dominions, Mr L. S. Amery, and Mrs Amery yesterday entered on the first stage of their return to England when they embarked on the Aorangi for V ancouver. which will be .the starting point of their Canadian tour. Mr and Mrs Amery were bidden farewell by the Prime Minister, Mr Coates, who had -ome to Auckland especially for the purpose, and by a host of people who had met them during their short stay in Auckland. Mr Amery carries with him pleasing impressions of New Zealand and its people and of their interest in Imperial affairs. “ I have had an exceedingly interesting month in the Dominion, and ‘ have mjoyed every day of it,” he said in a farewell interview. “1 hanks to the kindness of the New Zealand Government ' have been enabled to see more and do more than I could have thought possible in the time. I have seen almost every district in the country, except Southland, where, however, two members my staff spent several days. I have been able not onlv to study New Zealand's economic position, but also, incidentally, I was able to see something of New s wonderful alpine scenery. 1 have had many interesting talks with the Prime Minister and his colleagues, and I think I can say that we understand each other s problems and point of view much more completely than before.” Mr Amery continued ; " In -very way 1 leave more than satisfied with the result of my New Zealand visit. I havs learned a great deal that will be of use to me in the future work of co-operation between our Governments. 1 ..ave had every opportunity of getting into persona] touch, not only with the members of the Government, but also with men of every political opinion and in every walk of life throughout the Dominion, and f have now a general idea of what Ncv> Zealand thinks about her own present and future, and about Imperial affairs. ’ Enlarging on the theme of ihe Dominion’s interest in Imperial questions Mr Amery said he had found, as he had expected to find, the same in.ensc and universal loyalty to the British Throne and to the'idea of a united Empire as he had found when he was here before; but it seemed to him that with tho experience of the years which ' intervened there was a wider icnse of New Zealand’s responsibility in the conduct of affairs on the basis of Imperial partnership and a keener interest in all that concerned the Empire as a whole both in its internal and in its external relations. " New Zealand'is, in fact, and feels herself more at th e heart of things and more directly concerned in all 'hat affects Imperial policy than she was pre-war days,” he said. Mrs Amery and I have been truly at home wherever we have gone, and, from the Government downwards, wo have been overwhelmed with hospitality and kindness on every hand,” said Mr Amery in closing. “ Everyone has conspired to help us both to realise tho object of our visit and to enjoy our time in New Zealand. So Mrs Amery and I leave with real regret that our stay has been so short, with the feeling that we shall always be truly at home if we > visit New Zealand, and with the intention of coming back whenever Hie opportunity presents itself.”

AN OFFICIAL FAREWELL. FINAL ADDRESSES. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, December 20, An official farewell was given on the Princess wharf to Mr and Mrs Amery by the Prime Minister (Mr ,J. G. Coates) on behalf of the Government, the Mayor of Auckland (Mr G. Baildon), and Mr H. R. Mackenzie (chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board), prior to the departure of the Aorangi. A section of one of the goods sheds was appropriately decorated for the occasion with a Union Jack surrounded by flags of the British dominions. At the end of a happy farewell address on behalf of the Harbour Board, Mr Mackenzie called upon his daughter to present Mrs Amery with a bouquet of sweet peas. Miss Mowbrav, president of the Victoria League, also presented Mrs Amery with a bouquet from the league, Mr Coates, in the course of his speech, said that Mr and Mrs Amery left New Zealand with the esteem and best wishes of everyone in the country. Mrs Amery had especially captured the hearts of all. In a recent address she had emphaired the need for the whole of the Empire to work day and night in the fostering of Empire trade That ideal every Britisher should take to heart. “ Your tour of New Zealand has definitely contributed to a wider understanding between the Empire' and New Zealand,” (Mr Coates said. “ We all appreciate your determination to make yourself familiar with our coustoms, administration, and problems. It is of inestimable value and help to us to feel that in the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs we have a man who has a thorough and sympathetic undertanding of us out here. On vour return to Great Britain you can assure your Government that New Zealand will always answer willingly the call for anything Britain may need. When I make this statement I make it on behalf of 99 out of every 100 New Zealanders.” In his characteristic way, Mr Coates concluded his speech in Maori, “ Go away, both of you,” he said, “ and may you find your two hoys in the best of health. God speed, and kai ora.” In his reply, Mr Amery stated that his tour, planned originally to broaden his knowledge of the dominions, had exceeded his expectations, and he felt that on his return to England he would he incalculably benefited in his work by what he had learned during his tour. “ I go back well equipped,” ho said. “ The tour has convinced me that Empire relations depend a great deal on personal contact and understanding. The intense loyaltv, the spirit and the vigorous outlook of the people of New Zealand, arc sources of refreshing inspiration to me. I feel convinced that the future of New Zealand and of the Empire a « a whole depends on the closer co-opera-tion of the Mother Country with her dominions. I have the greatest faith in New Zealand. You have a unique country and one I find that is essentially and wholeheartedly British.” Mr Amery, inspired by Mr Coates s statement, rose to the occasion and said much to the amusement of the gathering in very English Maori : “ A merry Christmas to all of you in New Zealand.