MR MASSEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3520, 30 August 1921, Page 18

MR MASSEY.

LORD MILNERS TRIBUTE. LONDON, August 23. Eight hundred persons attended the reception tendered by Sir James Allen to bid farewell to Mr Massey, those present including many Imperial notabilities, Agents-general, and New Zealanders. Lord Morris, on behalf of tire Imperial Fleet Committee, presented Mr Massey with a suitably-inscribed New Zealand flag to commemorate the presentation to New Zealand of the aeroplanes Britannia and Nottingham. Sir James Allen said Mr Massey represented New Zealand well at the Empire Conference, and he wished him God speed. Lord Milner, in supporting Sir James Allen’s remarks, said he knew Mr Massey as the most staunch, sturdy, and consistent of Imperial statesmen. One always knew where one could find him on fundamental questions. The direction of Mr Massey’s statesmanship had always been consistently towards the closer union of the Empire. Mr Massey had powerfully contributed to its attainment. Amid many things that were maddening and perplexing at the present time, there was one thing that had gore eminently right —that wae the recent meeting of the Imperial Conference. He could see in this meeting of the heads of the various nations within the Empire, sitting with equal status, the germ of an Imperial Constitution. That there must be a constitution was certain, but it need not be a thing deliberately framed or embodied in an Act of Parliament. Sir Massey was a true interpreter of the spirit of New Zealand. Lord Milner added, that in no part of the British world did the fire of Imperial patriotism burn with a clearer flame than in that distant dominion. He wished Mr Massey many good years of service. Mr Massey, replying, said that the results of the conference dispelled any anxiety about the Empire’s future. The sentiment of British citizenship v.as never stronger or more satisfactory than at present. The dominion had also given proof in a most practical form that it was willing to take its fair share of the responsibility. The Empire was the strongest fat t-,r for peace. It was their business t ; see that its power for good was not interfered with, hut made ready to protect it. Its citizens must see that no injustice was done to the weaker nations. HONOURED BY FRANCK. LONDON, August 23. At the French Embassy to-day the Ambassador conferred on Mr Massey on behalf of the resident, the Order of the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour. Mr Massey, in accepting the decoration, said lie did so as a compliment to New Zealand, as much as an honour to himself personally in his capacity of dominions' representative at the Empire Conference. FAREWELL MESSAGES. PROBLEMS TO UK SOLVED. LONDON. August 25. Mr Lloyd George hade farewell to Mr Massey, who will leave Liverpool to-day aboard the Empress of France for (Quebec, and will catch the Niagara nt Vancouver on September 10. Mr Me spy. in a farewell messa.e. says that be is g< Jig hac k to New Zea-

land satisfied that the visit and the work of the dominion Prime Ministers has promoted the welfare of the Empire. He adds : “ The instructions given me when I left New Zealand were to stand in all things for a United Empire. I am confident that what has been done will assuredly strengthen the bonds uniting the British people. There have been difficult and intricate questions, but the future will prove the wisdom or unwisdom ot the conference’s decisions. I believe that the pillai's of the Empire have been strengthened sufficiently to bear the super-structure of a still mightier nation. The problems to which we must all give immediate attention and consideration include improved means of inter-imperial communications, a preferential system to develop inter-imperial trade, the maintenance of naval strength sufficient to ensure the protection of British citizens in all parts of the world, and the regaining of our previous supremacy in trade and commerce.” Ulstermen telegraphed to Mr Massey seeking a farewell message. Mr Massey will send one to-day regretting his inability to visit his native place, commending Ulster’s loyalty and counselling devotion to the Crown and the maintenance of ordered government. WORK OF THE CONFERENCE. LONDON, August 23. Mr Massey, interviewed, said that the events of the last two months, from the point of view of constitutional procedure, had been the beginning of a new era for the Empire. It wae bv far the most important conference yet held, because the dominions had been called upon to participate in the management of the Empire’s common affairs. Even the 1917 Conference was different. In that case the dominions were consulted, but nothing further was done. The recent Conference, though called a Conference, acted as a Cabinet, its decisions being equivalent to Cabinet decisions. The overseas Ministers acted up to the new status arising out of the war—namely, the dominions were now partners of the Empire, with all a partner’s privileges and responsibilities. He admitted that he came to London to advocate a constitutional conference, but the proceedings of the recent Conference had rendered unnecessary any written constitution. In regard to foreign affairs, the dominion Ministers had been taken into the fullest confidence of the British Ministers The whole range of the Emnire’s foreign policy was laid before them. He regretted that the American Government did not see its way to hold a preliminary conference, especially as probably neither Air Hughes nor himself would be able to proceed to Washington. No countries in the world were so interested in the Pacific as Australia and New Zealand. He had not the slightest doubt that the Empire’s representatives would sec that the case was thoroughly considered, but the question was so vital to Britons in the Southern Hemisphere that ho would have welcomed a personal consultation with other countries’ representatives. He was strongly of the opinion that an understanding between America, Janan, and the British Empire would be more likely to lead to a solution of the Pacific problem than anything else. Such an understanding seemed to him an indispensable preliminary to disarmament. Mr Massey, referring (. > the naval policy, said: “Great Britain must be in the position to defend her interests in

the Pacific. She cannot allow herself to sink to third place. The Empire depends upon sea power, and will cease to exist if unable to maintain her communications. Other communications by cables, wireless, and air must be fostered by every means. New Zealand is exceedingly anxious to foster Imperial preference.” Mr Massey considered it was most important that the dominions should receive the surplus population of Great Britain. As regards commercial preference, New Zealand desired to extend its operation, giving decided preference to the countries of the Empire. If the new political arrangements were to succeed every British country must help the remainder more than hitherto. A FAREWELL INTERVIEW. LONDON, August 25. Mr Massey, in a farewell interview with the Australian Press, expressed the opinion that the maintenance of the Japanese Treaty was the most important action taken in the interests of New Zealand and Australia in recent years. It was unthinkable to denounce the treaty unless it was replaced hv an Anglo-Japanese-A meri ca n agreement. Questioned as to what other results of the conference are likely to be of advantage to New Zealand and Australia, Mr Massey stated that although the conference passed no resolution regarding shipping, an informal understanding was reached unanimously in favour of accelerating the mail and passenger services Mr Lloyd George had undertaken to cooperate in this work. Apart from the conference, said Air Massey, Now Zealand nad benefited by a successful loan-. lie believed that the wool position was bettered. Regarding meat, it was probable that the present accumulations would be cleared before next season’s supplies reach the market. The irons-and experiment at Darlington, said Air Alassey, had demonstrated for the first time its practicability as a smelting proposition. Whether it will be a commercial proposition is dependent on tile cost of providing electricity locally. Mr Parry, formerly chief electrical expert for New Zealand, and Professor Harboard, the well-known metallurgist, testified that the. results had exceeded ail previous experiments. Mr Massey was bidden farewell at Boston hv many New Zealanders and bv Major Wood (Under-Secretary for ’Colonial Affairs), Air Lambert (of the Imperial Conference Secretariat), and Lord Wode-ho-use (representing Mr Churchill). Mrs and Miss Massey were presented with many bouquets. ENGLISH PRESS EULOGY. LONDON, August 26. Air Alassey has been very busy during the last few days, and the rest on the return voyage will be beneficial, though his health generally is robust. As usual, Mr Massey s departure was the occasion for many requests from leading papers and agencies for final interviews and messages of farewell. The Times published prominently a two-column interview and an editorial appreciation in emphatic and eloquent terms. The unanimity of the press generally in regard to the value of the services of Air Alassey to the Empire has been an exceptional experience in connection with the visit of overseas statesmen. The Daily Telegraph to-day, referring to Mr Massey’s departure, says that the Empire owes much to the statesmen from overseas, who guided and informed the conference in its deliberations. Air Massey himself has played as influential a part as any of his colleagues in the events of the last few years during which he has controlled the destinies of New Zealand and has assisted as a member of the Imperial Cabinet and the Allied Council. Like Air Hughes, he is not only a strong colonial nationalist, but he is an Imperialist. 1