MINISTERS' VISIT TO ENGLAND.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14635, 13 February 1918, Page 14

MINISTERS' VISIT TO ENGLAND.

A DUTY, NOT A PLEASURE.

■-. The visit to England of the Prime : Minister and Minister of Finance was discussed by Sir Joseph Ward at Christchurch on Saturday. Sir Joseph Ward spoke strorgly of criticisms of ' the Ministers' decision to leave New Zealand "just now. He said that neither he nor Mr. Massey wished for the visit. If it was a matter of choice, both Mr. Massey and he would prefer not to have to go. The Imperial au- ' thorrbas had asked them to go, and it '■ was their duty to go.. If anybdd'y t'.ougut that there .was pleasure in 1 the trip, that person was welcome to it instead of the representative.* : selected. A little reflection showed what it was like when vessels were ;. being surk in the Atlantic, the Medi- '■ terranean, and other waters. it was, i in factj a danger route for every pas•j senger. '• What was London like under ■•; war conditions, with frequent air-raids, ■ with the streets in darkness', and witV !; other conditiors.absolutely unknown in [• -this country? It was quite a, mistake M to stppose that it was a trip of interJ\ est and pleasure. k ...Referring to other aspects of . the \ visit, Sir Joseph Ward said that the . question •of the Pacific islands would L rome before\ the Conference in London. I It stood out from other questions as |: ottp of dominant importance. If--New Zealard w ras" unrepresented, and if r .i decision was1 arrived at to restore the 3 inlands to' Germany, the calamity to New Zealand would be worse than

twenty elections. For all time a dangerous centre would overshadow thi? country. The reversion of the islatide to the enemy must be prevented, and Now Zealand's representatives must h°.lp "to prever.t it. The Imperial authorities asked all the overseas dominions to be represented at tie Conference, and it was not n. choice, but, n~ imperative duty, for New Zealand to send its representatives.—Ohristchurch "Star." ' ■••' ' ••■• ■-■