OVERSEAS CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 3613, 12 June 1923, Page 34

OVERSEAS CLUB.

A very pleasant and enjoyable function took place in the Overseas Club rooms on the Bth, when the club entertained three distinguished visiters to Dunedin at the present time—The Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey (Prime Minister), the Hon. W. Downie Stewart (Minister of Customs), arid Sir Walter Buchanan, M.L.O. Mr FI. L. Tapley, Mayor of Dunedin, who is president of the club, welcomed the visitors in fitting terms, and the audience warmly endorsed his remarks. The president also extended a welcome to Mr Downie Stewart, Miss May Stewart, and Sir Walter Buchanan —a welcome which the audience endorsed with the greatest heartiness.

Mr J. 11. Walker (chairman of the Executive Committee of the club) also voiced the pleasure of the club at the presence of the visitors, and moved the following motion.: “The members of the Overseas Club desire to express their appreciation of the services the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey has rendered to the community as Prime Minister of this dominion during- the most critical period in the history of the world. They trust that their representatives in Parliament will act in accord with the wishes of the great majority of the citizens of the dominion in enabling him to make arrangements to take part in the Imperial Conference in London. The Prime Minister’s mature judgment and intimate knowledge of the many problems of vital importance affecting not only the welfare of the dominion, but the whole of the British Empire, make it necessary that every effort should be made to enable him to be present ” He was sure a resolution of this nature would meet with acceptance throughout the dominion.—(Apjjlause.) Before resuming his seat, Mr Walker presented Mr Massey and Mr Stewart, as honorary members of the club, with the Overseas badge. Colonel Smith seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

The Rt. Hon. Mr Massey thanked the club for its resolution and lor the honour done to him in electing him an honorary member of the branch. He considered the club and similar institutions deserved great credit for the work they -were performing in keeping the flag flying and in counteracting efforts that were always being made, inside and outside tbe gates, to disintegrate and bring to an end the greatest Empire the world had ever seen.—(Applause.) In the course of a brief speech, Mr Massey touched on the importance to Britain ot sea-power and spoke of the proposal of the British Government to make Singapore a naval base as a proposal which, when given effect to, would be a great benefit to Australia and New 7 Zealand, and a proposal which, he was sorry to see by the cables, was meeting with some opposition at Home. The importance of the proposal to this part of the world would be realised when he reminded them that Singapore commanded one of the gates of the Pacific. So far New Zealand had not been asked to contribute towards the upkeep of this great project, though it was deeply concerned in it, as also was Australia, but the question w 7 ould doubtless come up for consideration at the Imperial Conference. It was a matter in connection w 7 ith which New Zealand must do its duty. Up to the present, he thought, New Zealand had not done its duty in regard to paying its fair share in the maintenance ot the Navy. The contribution by New Zealand should be not less than £500,000, and in saying that he was taking into account the ‘ maintenance of the light cruiser Chatham, now in New Zealand waters. The British Empire was based on, and existed by, sea-power, it could never have attained to its present greatness and influence without its seapower. The Navy, then, must be maintained. He firmly believed that if the Empire was to remain firm the Navy must be sufficiently strong to maintain a "connection between the different countries of the Empire. “If we ever allow,” said Mr Massey, “the navy of a possible enemy to become stronger than the navy of Britain, and if that enemy is able to"take possession of any part of our territory and prevent men and footstuffs from passing from one part of the Empire to another, the Empire is done.” He felt strongly about doing our duty to this great Empire and maintaining it intact. Let us make it stronger and more influential than we found it, so tliat it would become a greater blessing not only to its citizens by to humanity than it had ever been before. —(Applause.") The Hon. Mr i\ . Downie Stewart joined with the Prime Minister in thanking the society for inviting them to be present, and expressed his gratitude to the people of Dunedin for their splendid receptiou to Mr Massey, because it had shown that gentleman that, in common with the rest of the dominion, the people here recognised the great services the Prime Minister had rendered, not only to the dominion but to the Empire.—(Applause.) Sir Walter Buchanan was introduced to the meeting, and received, a. cordial reception. In a few words. Sir Walter thanked the club for its kindness and expressed his appreciation of the hospitality shown to him during the week lie had been in Dunedin. During the evening refreshments were handed round.