MR MASSEY AT HOME

Otago Witness, Issue 3519, 23 August 1921, Page 19

MR MASSEY AT HOME

BRITAIN AND THE DOMINIONS. LONDON, August 20. Mr Mas ey was presented with the freedom of Sheffield. After the ceremony in the Council Chamber, at which the Lord Mayor presided, Mr Massey emphasised the value of the Imperial Conferences. Mr Lloyd George and his colleagues had done everything possible to meet the wishes of the dominions. There had been nothing about

which they had been united and could reasonably ask for that had not been granted. Justifying the continuance of the Japanese Treaty, he said that Japan was not compelled to assist us, but came to our aid, especially in the Pacific. It would not be in British character to turn our backs upon those who were loyal to use in our greatest danger. He would like to see a triplicate arrangement between Britain, the United States, and Japan, as he believed it would be for the good of the ivorUL He regretted that the idea of a consultation preliminary to the Washington Conference regarding the Pacific had been turned down. Air Massey was entertained at lunch by the Vickers Company and inspected the works. Speaking at the luncheon, he said it was necessary to strengthen the bonds of Empire. The New Zealanders had not failed in this -direction in the past, and would not fail in the future. He expressed the hope that Britain’s industrial supremacy would soon be restored, but he could see lots of competition coming along. The Empire must put in lots of energy'. As regarded Imperial preference, Britain was , receiving dominion goods without charging a penny, whereas other countries blocked us bv Customs duties. He trusted that Britain was not going to open her doors to those who closed theirs against her in order that they might flood Britain with dumped goods later. Air Massey visited York, and from there went to Darlington. OUR lAIMIGRATION LAWS. Air Alassey, at Daihlngton, in accepting the freedom of the city, declared that the immigration laws of New Zealand were the most drastic in the Empire, because they would net allow people to come from any country except Britain without obtaining the permission of the New' Zealand Government. Tlie effect would be that in years to come the people of New Zealand would be more of British stock than those of any colony in the Empire. New Zealand was passionate in her demand for the unity of the Empire, and the people looked upon themselves as British citizens from now to the day of judgment. The Empire must jealously guard its sea power. If the connections with the Pacific went the Empire would be at an end.