MR MASSEY HONOURED.

Otago Witness, Issue 3611, 29 May 1923, Page 58

MR MASSEY HONOURED.

PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS. ALXkLAND, May 24. The presentation of a public aotiress to Mr Massey, on behalf oi the citizens of Auckland and district, took place at Albert Park at noon to-day, a very large gathering assembling. Mr Massey advanced lrom the main entrance to the dais through lines oi territorials and Cadets, the rust battalion Auckland Lnlantry and St. Stephen's Maori boys furnishing guards of honour. me Mayor (Mr J. it. Gunson), in making the presentation, said Mr Massey s work for New Zealand and the Empire had left on the history of the country a mark that could never be effaced. He said: “We could truly say Mr Massey was not only the first citizen of New Zealand, was also one of the greatest assets of the Empire.” The address is contained in a casket of New Zealand woods, fashioned to represent a Maori whare. This vvhare model is made of puriri, kowhai, mottled kauri, and other rarer New Zealand woods, and is beautifully chiselled in imitation of the symbolical carvings on council houses. The roof of the whare lifts on hinges, and reveals the address lying between covers of polished New Zealand woods. The whare stands on a pedestal, also of carved wood. The address states, inter alia: —“Tho citizens of Auckland—in fact, we feel we can include the citizens of other parts of the dominion—recognise and gratefully appreciate your strength, fearlessness, and impartiality in the advocacy of all matters pertaining to the welfare of the people of the dominion, and have been inspired by your patriotism. They congratulate you on the pre-eminence of your position in Imperial affairs, and recall with feelings of pride the attention and weight given to the opinions you have expressed as a member of the inner councils of the Empire. They also remember with deep gratification and pleasure your services to the Empire, and to New Zealand, at the Peace Conference at Versailles in the year 1919. They i ecognise that in the important service you have so loyally rendered to your counHy you have always had a devoted helpmate in your wife, and to her they des’re also to extend their felicitations and best wishes. In replying to the address Mr Massey said the Imperial and Economic Conference ought to he among the most important of the kind vet held. He felt that by attending the different Imperial Conferences, he had gained n certain amount of experience, which should be of use at the next gathering. TTe was the onlv Prime Minister of the Empire still in the position he occupied during the war. Tf he could do any good lie would be willing to attend, but. it was for Parliament to decide. A great deal had been done at the first Imperial Conference. TTe was disappointed that it had not been allowed to develop. He thought it should have been allowed (o continue as an Imperial Cabinet or Council, because bv allowing it to lapse a great deal of valuable work bail boon undone. In a brief reference to the selecKon of Singapore as a naval base in the Pacific. Mr JVlassey said this decision was of the utmost, importance, and worthy of all possible encouragement, on (he part of countries which were endeavouring to establish firmly an Empire in this nnrt of the world rather than being a possible cause of war. This derision would prove a great factor for the promotion of peace. Warm cheering greeted Mr Massey and Mrs Mnssev. and (he Prime Minister was again cheered a* the conclusion. At a largely-attended ''•ntberincr of citizens to-night, presided over by the Mayor

(Mr J. 11. Gunson), Mrs Massey was presented with a handsome diamond necklace pendant. The presentation v.as made by the Mayoress (Mrs J. 11. Gun-on) on l.ehiit of the citizens in recognition ot Mrs Massey’s loyai support of the Prime Minister hi iiis public work. in replying, the Prime Minister thanked tile donors for the gift to Mrs Massey, his partner in hie and the partner oi all his joys and sorrows, wiio, during aJI iiis married life and during his many years of public life, had never tailed with her assistance, counsel, and advice, and who had worked in her own sphere as haul as he had worked in his. He was glad to say publicly that if he had been successful at all. if he had been able to do something tor tne country and the Empire, it was largely owing to the assistance and influence of Mrs Massey.