COMING HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1921, Page 5

COMING HOME.

FAREWELL TO MR. MASSEY.

TRIBUTE TO HIS WORK. LORD MILNER’S PRAISE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received August 24, 8.20 p.m. London, August 23. Eight hundred attended a reception tendered by Sir .Tamf-s Allen to take farewell of Mr. W. F. Massey, the guests including many Imperial notabilities, the Agents-General and New Zealanders.

Lord Morris, on behalf of the Imperial air fleet committee, presented Mr. Massey with a suitably inscribed New Zealand flag to commemorate the presentai ion to New Zealand of the aeroplanes Britannia and Nottingham. Sir James Alim -aid Mr. Massey represented New Zealand well at the Imperial Conference and he wished him God-speed. Lord Milner, supporting, said he knew Mr. Massey as the most staunch, sturdy and consistent of the Imperial statesmen. One always knew where one could find him on fundamental questions. The direction of Mr. Massey’s statesmanship had always been consistently towards closer union of the Empire and Mr. Massey had powerfully contributed to its attainment. Amid many things that were maddening and perplexing the present time there was one thing that bad gone eminently right and that was the recent meeting of the Imperial Con ference. He could see in this meeting of the heads of the various nations within the Empire, Utting with equal status, the germ of ?n Imperia] constitution. That there must be u constitution was certain, but it need not be a thing deliberately framed or embodied in an Act of Parliament Mr. Massey was a true interpreter of the spirit of New Zealand. Lord Milner added that in no part of the British world did the fire of Imperial patriotism burn with a clearer flame than in that distant Dominion. He wished Mr. Massey many good years of service.

Mr. Massey, replying, said the results of the conference dispelled any anxiety about the Empire's future; the sentiment of British citizenship was never stronger or more satisfactory than at present. The Dominion had also given proof in a most practical form that it was willing to take a fair share of the responsibility. The Empire was the strongest factor for peace, and it was their business to see that its power for good was not interfered with, but that it was made ready tn protect its citizens; it must see that no injustice was done to the weaker nations.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.