N.Z. MINISTERS AT HOME.

Otago Witness, Issue 3274, 13 December 1916, Page 39

N.Z. MINISTERS AT HOME.

(By Cable.) The Cabinet crisis has interfered with tho negotiations of Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward. Sir James Carroll will return to NewZealand early in January, visiting South Africa en route. Lord Salisbury, Mr Massey, and Sir J. G. Ward visited the Codford and Sling camps and hospitals, accompanied by Sir T. Mackenzie, General Richardson, and Sir Andrew Russell. The troops were paraded, and Mr Massey and Sir J. G. Ward delivered addresses expressing, on behalf of the people of New Zealand, their warm appreciation of the splendid services rendered by the troops. Air Massey said that from the King to the humblest citizen all were loud in their praises of the military capacity of the New Zealanders. British officers who had seen their work told him that they were deeply impressed by it. Another excellent feature was the splendid behaviour of the men when on leave. The war might not end as soon as was expected, but ho was confident that there would be no weakening on New Zealand's part.

Mr Massey, in the course of an interview, said an Empire Council would help to develop the political and economic unity of the Empire. The creation of an Imperial Parliament would take yea:s. He added: "Wo cannot afford to wait; the matter of a closer union should no longer be the sport of party politicians. The Empire Council should be composed of Ministers of the Crown of Great Britain and the dominions, and an Imperial conference should be called to decide the constitution, subject to ratification by the various Parliaments. The holding of this conference should not be delayed. The admission of dominion statesmen to meetings of tho Imperial Cabinet was a great point gained. It must be clearly understood that the dominions do not accept the restrictions of their representatives to an advisory capacity." Mr Massey, in an interview granted to a Pall Mall representative, strongly urges the summoning of an Imperial Conference at the earliest possible date for the sole purpose of considering the consolidation of the Empire. Mr Massey says he has no ambitious projects on the creation of an Imperial Parliament. However attractive such a scheme may be to enthusiasts, it is premature. A much less pretentious structure would meet the present requirements. Tho creation of an Empire Council, with executive power to deal with certain practical questions, would be a great step.