MR MASSEY

Southland Times, Issue 19248, 11 June 1921, Page 5

MR MASSEY

BALTIC EXCHANGE LUNCHEON ‘ IMPERIAL COMMUNICATIONS (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, June 9. Mr Turner, of Turner and Davidson, gave a luncheon to Mr Massey at the Baltic Exchange, Sir James Allen, Sir Robert Stout, Sir John Findlay, Sir James Mills, Sir William Herries, and Mr Larkin attending. Mr Turner, in proposing the health of Mr Massey, said Britain was not likely to forget New Zealand’s sacrifices in the war. Mr Massey, in responding, said he believed the time had come for Australia and New Zealand to work together in the Pacific to a greater extent than hitherto. He felt proud to find the same confidence exhibited m England despite the present serious industrial conflicts which prevailed. The Empire could not prosper without proper ?ea communications, in which New Zealand anticipated substantial improvements from the operations of the Imperial Shipping Committee. Mr Massey said he did not intend at present to suggest subsidies, but he believed that if improved transportation of mails, passengers, and cargo were not available without them the people would be prepared to pay. He trusted that the subject would receive most serious consideration by the Imperial Conference. Sir Owen Phillips, in proposing the toast of “The Chairman,” congratulated the New Zealand Government on having avoided the pitfalls into which some other Governments had fallen. Therefore the Dominion’s Treasurer would not have heavy deficits to face similar to those confronting other Governments. — (Laughter.)