N.Z. MINISTERS AT HOME.

Otago Witness, Issue 3275, 20 December 1916, Page 29

N.Z. MINISTERS AT HOME.

(By Cable.) Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward wiß resume negotiations with Mr Walter J.oilg with reference to roadusting the additional payment for eheese. There also remains tnc question of sheepskins to be settled. Mr Massey hopes to leave tor Vancouver in January. Mr Massey, as the snicst of the Leech City and University, delivered an address on the dominions and the war. After expressly _ disavowing the intention of interfering in any way with the ordinary political affairs of Groat Britain, he heartily congratulated Mr Lolyd George on hi's accession to office, and added: "Important as _ the reconstruction and the change or Prime Minister are, they are even more important as indicating Great Britain's inflexible determination to prosecute the war with greater vigour." Therefore he heartily welcomed the change, and assured the new Government that New Zealand would continue to give all (he assistance and cooperation in her power in order to win the war. At a meeting to advocate improved Imperial unity, held in the Queen's Hall, Mr Massey said it was regrettable that the dominions had had no voice in Imperial affairs at the beginning of the war. He believed the infusion of new blood was always productive of good. The situation demanded more patriotism and less politics. The British Parliament was obviously overburdened, and should relegate local nfmirs to provincial legislatures. Referring to Dr von Bethmann-ITollweg's peace statement, Mr Massey said it was most important. '"Germany' thinks this is the proper time to negotiate. That is not our point of view. We will discuss peace when we think the time is proper, and leave it at that."