THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3613, 12 June 1923, Page 33

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

SHOULD MR MASSEY GO? LABOUR LEADER’S YIEW. CHRISTCHURCH, June 10. Mr H. E. Holland, in an address in the Trades Hail last night, said he proposed to deal with the expressed intention of Mr Massey to go to tne Imperial Conference, not as a delegate from New Zealand, but as a dictator. lie (Mr Holland) did not think such a position was right, because whatever Mr Massey had claimed before last election he could not now hold that he represented a majority of the people of New Zealand. Even if Mr Massey did represent nine-tent-hs of the people he should not adopt such an attitude. However, he held office as a dictator of the people, and had secured office on only a minority vote. If Mr Massey did go Home, he should certainly take with him instructions as to New Zealand’s attitude with regard to questions to be discussed at the Conference. He knew Mr (Massey would oppose this contention, and would hold out to go in the position of a dictator, but the people of New Zealand should not allow such a course to be pursued. Mr Massey should certainly carry with him very definite instructions, especially with regard to the Treaty of Versailles. Mr Holland deprecated any attempt to shorten the coming session to enable Mr Massey to attend the Conference. The session should be continued after he had left the dominion. The trouble was, said Mr Holland, that Mr Massey’s majority in the House was too small, and of so doubtful a nature that the Prime Minister did not think that the majority would be maintained unless he were present to see to it himself. Mr Massey had said New Zealand was financially the soundest country in the world. If things were so satisfactory why could not a session continue after Mr Massey had left? Mr Massey should be, instructed to promote the establishment, of intimate relations with Russia. Personally, sa.id Mr Holland, he was not opposed to New Zealand being represented at Imperial Conferences, and if a Labour Government were in power he would favour New Zealand being represented at every one of them, hut New Zealand's representative should certainly take with him instructions regarding the will of the people 011 various questions of the day.