A FAREWELL MESSAGE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17346, 25 August 1930, Page 7

A FAREWELL MESSAGE

PREMIER’S DEPARTURE IMPORTANCE OP CONFERENCE (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. A farewell statement to New Zealand was issued by the Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, to-day, prior to his departure for Auckland en route to the Imperial Conference: On my departure for the Old Lund to attend the Imperial Conference, 1 think it is recognised bv everyone that it is very necessary lor New Zealand to be represented at tins most important gathering, at which will be discussed many questions vitally affectingi New Zealand. "Firstly, I*feei tnat 1 can voice as New Zealand’s representative the Dominion s devotion and loyalty towards the King, and also its desire to cooperate m every way, particularly in regard to trade relations, with Great Britain, which will be mutually beneiiciai. New Zealand lias shown in a practical way its desire io assist by cooperation and by the granting ot a very substantial preierentiai customs tarih, by which manufacturers of the Old Country have been materially assisted. We realise that tlie more business they are enabled to do, the better position they will l>e m to purchase our products. We do not insist upon anything m return, although we would appieciate some consideration being extended to us to a greater extent than

has been the case m the past, especially ipas far as foreign countries are concerned. It is my hope that as a result of the discussion at the conference

something along the lines I have iudi- ' cated will be realised. While 1 am Home I will do nothing likely to cause any embarrassment in Empire matters in general, and trade matters in particular, and 1 know that is the wish ol the people in New Zealand. ‘‘ln leaving the Dominion, I regret that the position of the country is not as satisfactory as one might wish. However, i am quite convinced that while throughout the whole country there is a determination to face the difficulties with which we are confronted, a fid I ani quite sure that this attitude, which one cannot help but admire, will result in an early return to that condition of prosperity which it lias been our fortune to enjoy lor several years past.” Mr. Forbes added that be was leaving New Zealand secure in the knowledge that the affairs of the country would be safe in the hands of his colleagues and Cabinet. He had every confidence in the gentlemen who would conduct the Dominion’s business, and he felt that in them the affairs of State would receive careful attention.