EMPIRE MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1923, Page 5

EMPIRE MATTERS.

MR. MASSEY HONORED. STRIKING TRIBUTES. TRADE AND DEFENCE. LOYALTY OF DOMINION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright Received Nov. 13, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 12. The Duke of Devonshire presided at the British Empire League dinner to Mr. Massey. The latter, replying to the toast of his health, said the results of the conference would remain to be seen, but he believed the work done was well worth doing. It was a pity the conference could not meet oftener, but that was impassible until there was improvement in transit by sea or by air.

He welcomed the Prince of Wales’ recent reference to the importance of travel in order to get an idea of the potentialities of the Empire. He regretted that British Ministers did not travel as often as they ought to. Judging by a recent happening, said Mr. Massey, they do not travel until they cease to be Ministers. Referring to defence, he had no fault to find with the organisations formed to promote peace. “But not one of these organisations can prevent war if a nation sets its mind on that form of arbitrament,” he added. Mr. Massey said he would like to see the English-speaking countries of the world joined for the prevention of war. They could do more in this way than any other of which he could think. SINGAPORE BASE. The question of Singapore had been discussed inside and outside the conference room and, so far as he was able to judge, the work there would be proceeded with. Lord Jellicoe had told him years ago that Australia and New Zealand would never be safe until Singapore became a naval base.

Continuing, Mr. Massey said that New Zealand had voted £lOO,OOO towards this work, and while this would not go far it was an earnest indication of what may happen later and a proof of New Zealand’s feeling in the matter. Anything in the way of defence should be above and beyond party. The Suez Canal, he claimed, was one of the most important arteries of British trade, and the conference had not forgotten this. There were other gates of the Empire requiring attention at the time of national stock-taking, such as the Falkland Islands and, incidentally, Gibraltar, where no British Government would permit anything serious to happen. Although they could not say the Dardanelles was under British patrol, still it was in the British interest to see that the trade route there remains through the Straits, and that there would be no danger of a re-in«tatement of the forts, which were an important factor in the Gallipoli campaign. DEFENCE POLICY.

While not anxious to see a standing army or navy greater than required, Mr. Massey insisted upon a sufficiency against trouble. The cost of defence was a national insurance which must be met. The Duke of Devonshire paid a tribute to the vigorous support which Mr. Massey invariably gave to every British undertaking. He had been a real help and encouragement at the conference. Lord Balfour said that Singapore bad, most unhappily, been made the subject of party controversy. There was a suggestion that fortifying Singapore was trespassing on the spirit of the Washington Conference, but a more grotesque view could not be imagined. Singapore was deliberately omitted from the Pacific arrangements in order that Britain might do as she liked.

Lord Balfour added that Massey represented one of the Dominions famed for Imperial patriotism. If any part of the British Empire, from top to bottom, was purely British in its sentiment and aspirations it was the country Mr. Massey represented.