MR. MASTERS HONOURED

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1933, Page 8

MR. MASTERS HONOURED

STRATFORD’S WELCOME SERVICES TO NEW ZEALAND. TRIBUTES PAID TO MINISTER. HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP HINTED. Striking evidence of the regard in which the Hon. R. Masters and Mrs. Masters are held by the residents of Stratford and the district was afforded last night, when the town hall was well filled by those who attended the public reception given Mr. Masters in recognition of the ark he did for New Zealand as one of the Dominion’s representatives at the World Conference. The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) presided.

The reception Mr. Masters received was a very enthusiastic one and cheers followed any remarks alluding to the work he did at the conference. He was given an ovation whe he rose to reply. “On behalf of the committee, the borough councillors and the burgesses of Stratford I extend to Mr. and Mrs. Masters a hearty welcome back to Stratford,” said the Mayor. “Though the British Prime Minister said the conference dare not fail it did fail, but not through any fault of the British Government or the Empire. It failed because Mr. Ramsay McDonald is an idealist who could not bring the rest of the world into line with his ideals. Mr. Masters worthily represented the Dominion. If the Empire is prospering then we will all prosper, but selfish bargaining among the units of the Empire cannot help. Greed and avarice have brought the world to its present position. America is making a bold bid to rectify her troubles and it is to be hoped sincerely that she will succeed. Further, it is to be hoped that the units of the Empire will pull together for the benefit of the whole. “It has been rumoured,” he said, “that Mr. Masters may be given a further honour —that of the High Commissionership in London, and if that is so he will, I am sure, receive the hearty congratulations of every Stratford resident.” Cheers punctuated the Mayor’s remarks after that statement. He concluded with a formal welcome. “We are welcoming a Minister from the greatest' conference the world has ever held,” said Mr. W. J. Polson, M.P. “Our representatives at that conference found that the conference changed from its original interest into an effort to impose restrictions on our produce, and it was fortunate for New Zealand that she had representatives of Mr. Masters’ aclibre at the conference. He and the Prime Minister opposed the quotas but they did not shut the door to further negotiations. Mr. Thomas Baxter says that Britain is determined to impose quotas, but they have not been imposed yet Our delegates did all they could under the circumstances to oppose restrictions on our exports. We still have some cards to play in this game and Mr. Masters will prove a clever player. He claims that he owes much to Taranaki, but Taranaki owes much to him.” STRONG MEN NEEDED. Mr. Masters, Mr. Polson continued, was a strong man and the Dominion needed strong men. Fascism on one hand and Communism on the other faced the people of New Zealand, and men with the gift of common sense were needed to guide the country along a course between the two extremes that had arisen with the sloughing of th® old shibboleths.

“When the delegation left I was afraid at what New Zealand might be committed to, but there was no need for the slightest fear,” Mr. Polson stated. “This gathering shows that Mr. Masters has the goodwill and wishes of Stratford people. It is a great thing for a man to have the goodwill of his fellows, and Mr. Masters has it.”

The deputy chairman of the Stratford County Council, Mr. H. C. Taylor, apologised for the absence of the chairman, Mr. T. R. Anderson, and on behalf of the farmers congratulated Mr. Masters on what he had done and warmly welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Masters back to Stratford. Had New Zealand’s delegates to the conference not put forward New Zealand’s case so ably and clearly to the British Government the Dominion would have been placed in a very unfavourable position, he said. As it was, if the present prices for primary products were maintained New Zealand would be able to lift itself from the depression. Similar congratulatory statements were made by the chairman of the Whangamomona County Council, Mr. N. R. Cleland. If Mr. Masters were to be appointed High Commissioner he would fully deserve the honour, he said. The president of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. W. Hoskin, said Mr. Masters’ ability as a commercial man had stood him in good stead in the political world since he was first elected to Parliament in 1919, and his career had been such that everyone must recognise his honesty of purpose. At the Stratford winter show in 1932 Mr. Masters warned the public that they must expect lower prices and look for further markets. Subsequent experience showed his prognostications to be correct. Mr. Masters was a man of Commonsense and foresight and had brought nothing but honour to himself and his district. “I am not usually stuck for words but to-night I find it hard to give expression to my feelings in respect to this and the spontaneous welcome we received at the station,” Mr. Masters said. “We enjoyed every moment we were away, but no other country has more to offer than New Zealand and we are really glad to be back.” He would not like to say that the conference was a failure, nor would he* say that it was a success, but the nations had been helped through it to a better understanding of one another. Moreover, the conference gave opportunities for imperial conferences. One could not but be impressed by the strength, force and integrity of the leading men of Britain, and it made one feel proud to belong to a nation that had statesmen such as the British leaders. As long as the Empire had men of that stamp at its head it would stand firmly.

“This is not a matter of egotism but it gave one pleasure to realise the high regard in which New Zealanders are held in Britain,” he continued. “All the representatives of New Zealand who have gone to Britain have created a strongly favourable impression.” While it was pleasing to see conditions improving in New Zealand it was even more pleasing to see how Great Britain

was improving her position, Mr. Masters said. The imports of manufactured goods into Britain had dropped by 36 per cent, and the imports of raw materials had risen by 7 per cent. In addition there were 500,000 fewer unemployed in Britain than in January of this year—facts that indicated definitely that the manufacturing trade of Britain was healthier.

“If world prosperity is to be regained the trade barriers the nations have raised must be lowered,” Mr. Masters said. “Continuation of the present international attitude of individualism will place New Zealand in an unenviable position —a position that may force the Dominion into developing its secondary industries to a much greater extent.

In two years Germany reduced its imports of butter by 60,000 tons, and it was estimated that in three years Germany would be able to export butter. Countries that had been exporting to Germany had gradually found that market closed to them and had deflected the surplus to the British market. That was merely one illustration of a policy that was being pursued by the a number of European nations. The Stratford Municipal Band played in Broadway outside the hall prior to the ceremony, which was opened by an overture by Mr. C. H. Rogers’ orchestra with Miss E. Moon at the piano. Songs were given during the evening by Mrs. R. Mcßeth and Messrs. B. Bellringer and P. Coe. Miss Moon played the accom? paniments. PERSONAL. Tribute to the work of Miss D. Moore, infant mistress at the Stratford school, who had resigned to take a position at the Point Chevalier school, Auckland, was paid by the headmaster, Mr. L. J. Furrie, in his report to the school committee last night. Mr. Furrie made reference to Miss Moore’s capabilities, tact and sound judgment ADVERTISERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS. The Stratford Self-Help Club will be grateful for donations of produce, jams and saleable articles for the shop day on Saturday. The competitions that have been in progress for two dolls displayed in Moon’s window will be decided that night. Gifts for the shop day may be left with the secretary (Mrs. B. Black) or the gardening officer (Mr. M. Priest).