MR MASSEY PRAISED

Southland Times, Issue 19097, 15 November 1923, Page 5

MR MASSEY PRAISED

STRIKING EULOGIUMS. BY THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE AND LORD BALFOUR. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, November 13. Large numbers of New Zealanders were present at the British Empire League’s dinner to the Hon. W. F. Massey. The Duke of Devonshire, in proposing the health of the New Zealand Premier, referred to Mr Massey as a distinguished statesman of the Empire, and the father of the Imperial Conference, at which he had attended five times, each occupying a third of the year. Such sacrifice of time could only be justified by the results obtained and it could not be denied that good results would follow this year’s Conference. The Duke hoped that when Mr Massey returned to New Zealand he would not regret the expenditure of time and trouble on his visit to London. Mr Massey had been a help and encouragement. What had impressed everyone in England most was Mr Massey’s robust and enthusiastic support of British institutions. His example and influence were already making itself felt. Mr Massey would be the first 'to acknowledge that his inspiration Ln firmly upholding British institutions and ideals was the splendid spirit of the New Zealanders behind him.

Lord Balfour, who now seldom appears in public, spoke of his past associations with Mr Massey and said he represented a dominion where the flame of Imperial patriotism glowing with the purest conceivable spirit. Out of his experience, Mr Massey had made valuable contributions towards the solution of the difficult problems facing Britain. His advice and assistance had been very real. Hon W. F. Massey was entertained at the Imperial Institute, where there was the largest gathering of New Zealanders ever held in London. It was a great social success, being marked by a* freemasonry typical of New Zealanders abroad. The courts of the institute were beautifully decorated with flowers and were thrown open to the quests as the evening advanced. The guests concentrated in the quaintly carved Ceylon court where dancing was indulged in till midnight.