FAREWELL TO MR MASSEY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 97, 29 August 1923, Page 8

FAREWELL TO MR MASSEY

PARLIAMENTS VALEDICTORY.

BEST WISHES FROM ALL. Per Press Association. Wellington. August 1 28. In the House to-night Mr T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) rose and said that as the Premier was about to leave for his steamer he thought it was fitting that they should take some cognisance of his departure. On the Address-fin-Reply he had moved an amendment declaring that notwithstanding the Premier's departure tho House should continue sitting and do the business of the country. That amendment was lost by three votes and he wasbound to respect that decision.

Mr Wilford said the Premier was leaving for a conference which would probably be the most important ever held in the history of the Empire, and which may even involve the peace of the world. As the Premier was the only one who could represent the Dominion at that conference he washed him well. He had before hjm a task of which no one need envy him, except perhaps they might envy him hfe opportunities. He trusted the conference would bring about results for which we all hoped. :He knew there were difficulties in the way, but difficulties were made to be overcome.

In wishing the Premier bon voyage, Mr Wilfbrd said he knew that Mr Massey would ea»rry with him a message of loyalty second to no other 'part of the Empire. His party, in common with the Reform Party and all the other parties in the House, stood for a united Empire. There was no difference in loyalty. 'New Zealand should be represented at the Imperial Conference, and it was right that she should be represented by the Premier, and therefore, on behalf of the Opposition, he wished him a pleasant voyage.—(Applause). Mr. Massey, in reply, thanked Mr Wilford for his good wislies. He agreed as to the importance of the conference and hoped he would be able to do some good thar e for both the Empire and New Zealand. He would have preferred not to be leav-* ing the Dominion at the present time, but the conference was gm»g to be the important yet held, and on its decisions issues of greatest moment, even the peace of the world, mjight hang. The gathering was fraught with consequences which we could only imagine. It happened that lie would be the senior Premier at the conference. General Smuts had teen present at the War Conferences, BuT he (General Smuts) was not then Prime Minister. So far as New Zealand was concerned he was going to doj hist best, and in that he knew he had behind him the people of New Zealand, than whom none were more loyal ,in any part of the Empire. He stood all! the time for a united Ehvr're and would lose no opportunity to strengthen its ties. He did not expect to be long away, but when he returned' he hoped to find the people as prosperous and happy now.—(Applause). Continuing, the Premier said ho had hoped the Speaker would have been i n . the chair before he left, in'! which case lie would have laid, on the table a copy of the Electoral Bill, or what was . commonly called the Electoral Bill, but which was really on amendment to the Legislature Act, but under, the circumstances he had handed the copy to the Hon. W. D. Stewart and had asked him to lay it on the table at the: iirsifc opportunity. There might be many inferences of opinion regarding the proposols in the measure, but full. opportunity would be given to consider it in all its aspects during the recess. Next session he pioposed to proceed with it, when lie hoped, by the uiKited wisdom of the Legislature, they would Ik- able to place upon the Statute Book something better than they had to-day.

So far as the Gaming Bill wa,s concerned it would not come before Parliament again this session. He was satisiied they could not deal with the question of permits, and though ho would 1/ike to have passed the clause limiting the number of starters in a field he felt he epuld net. ask the House to sit any longer to pas si it.

Tne House, adj::: ::;d c.i C. 30 p.m. until 10.30 p.m. to enable members to say good-bye at tlie steamer's side to the Premier, who passed out of the Chamber amidst good wishes frcmi all sides and hearty hand shakes from all parties.