THE" KNOCK-OUT"

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11926, 8 February 1917, Page 4

THE" KNOCK-OUT"

FIST. MR MASSarS VIEWS OH PEMSE WILSON'S SUGGESTION* ILLTIMED. [7\P,OM OtTK COBFrfPON'DXNT.] I/ONDON, January 1. In the course- of an interview with a representative of the London weekly journal ' ; The People," the Prime 'Minister of Nr'.r Zealand gives r.he world at largo his views eorrormng Hie decision taken by the Imperial Government in summoning the hist Imperial Cabinet at, f!ie rod of February to discuss; urgoni questions affeCmg the prosecution of llin war, the posf'.ble <.■■'-.ndit ions en which, in agroomeny wMi omv Allies, we, eoidrl assent to its tormina.! ion, and tlm problems which will then mi mediately ari>e. -Mr Massoy also lots the world know what he thinks el" P>-e<idem "Wilson" l ' much discussed Peace Note ; what, New Zealand is doing to help herself and the Fmpiro, niirl finally <-ets forth his conviction that whether the war he long or short, it- must, end gloriously for Great Britain- and her Allies. THE COMING CONFERENCE.

'' For quit** n long time pa.st. and ospivially cilice ih<. war broke out. I have," said -Mr M'a.v-ny, "advocated something in the w;i v of what has jnsi heen decided upon by his Majesty's Government. T am confident that the proposal id give the dominions a voieo in connection with -war matters will cause !*re;it satisfaction among Ornish citizens overseas, and I am equally confident that such recognition will be n good thing for the Empire as a whole. In is the turning ove;- of a new leaf in Imperial aifairs. which wiil lead to a. closer union and n better understanding between the different countries which make up the Empire than has existed 'up to the present. Personally I look upon what is being done as of paramount importance and welcome it accordingly. T believe- the Imperial Conned will grow and develop n*-; circumstances and conditions require until it becomes what it ought to be- a reallv important- governing factor in the affairs of the Empire. The* colonies have ceased to be dependents. They mu>t now he regarded as partners in a firm, even if they take their places -is junior partners.

mOXEEITS t)V A CLOSEIt UNION. " I.t' the principle that, taxation and representation must bo together is right —iinil surely it. is-—"it. follows that when the contribution takes the form of the flower of our population, to say nothing of the financial liabilities that, are being undertaken, the case for representation is much stronger. Closer unioii and the representation of the dominions will be tor the benefit of the Empire as a, ivholo. ' ; 1 plead uuihy So being n.inbitioufi for the Empire. T want to think that if not now. certainly in tbo not far distant future, the British Empire will he supreme on land, sea, and air, and I am eonfident that with a certain amount of foresight and a proper exercise of statesmanship the idea- can be realised and the Empire become a. blessing, not only In its own citizens but to aU the. nations of the earth. ''l am satisfied that, when the dominions have a voice in Imperial affairs wh shall never again fi?:d ourselves in the unprepared stat>- irom a military po'.tU of view--ui wl.uh we were caught in August, U)M. WILSON'S PEACE NOTE.

"'You ;i*k me what I thing of Pr Wilsons Peace Note. Well, f think the lies', answer I can give to such a suggestion, whether it- comes from the president, of a. friendly State or from

i";nv other source. i- contained in tho following cio.'iMi "it ;;iui striking para|.;ra;ili at tho conclusion o! Sir I>. Hjmk's account. of tho Krimh opera--110:1s on tho Sonurie : 'The o;ieniv's power has nor. yet, boon broken, nor is i; yes. possible to form an est i tan to of tic- time tlii' war may la>( before The ohj<■<• t s for which tho Allies arc fight- j ing liavc boon attained. I'.iii the i from mo battle has placed beyond I doubt the ability of i.he Allies to gain j 1 ho-1' objects. The Norman army is j the mains 1 sj.v of tbo {'cni-rui Powers, I and a lull hah el tli#>J ai my. despiio j all tho advantages of The defensive, (supported by the strongest fortifications, suffered def;ii' on the Somme this year. Neither views nor rantpnshed will forget, this. " (lornwnv is undoubtedly anxious I for Iho iinni'i'. and fan ttrnv plainly | >••••' thai there can be icn'y niu> jios- | sihlo end to this struggle, namely, j victory for r','> A Hie?. Germany, I jlirrefrire, is mrst nn>. ions tor tho fu-j tun 1 ; hence 'r.'T efforts to secure peace. J "'lii a..:,t' e to ihf .-urrgfr-i !,)')■- which I havo hern mado at- ;he present mo-| merit. wouid, in my opinion. not result j in a permanent settlement: it u'euid j only jvivj. (lormanv 'he oy>poriM«ity of « regaining Vmr vi rengtli. and proparms? j to p r ep;s.vr> for another at.tempt, when . po-sblv Britain wight be without alias. To agree to under the conditions now exist woHd Ire to cn-'et our Armv and Navy out of tbo victory to which i hoy are so .-justly entitled. " I have no doubt- i-bat. President Wilson is p.H uatod by the I>esy, motive:-., hut from our point of now his suggestions are ill-timed. and. judging front tbo .strong expressions of opinion j which have come from tho'-e who hnvo the management of our Imperial affairs. there is little chance of 3 peace note heim-, uvonrablv entennined. " Those Powers who nre apparently anxionc. to interfere must clearly bo given tn understand that the AlH a s intend to carry on the war until the knock-out Mow has been given -o tho Thins. " There. is one very importsnt remit this war has had which wn ß not foreseen by the Central Powers, namely. Ir, has broinjht. all parts of tho Krnpiro more r\<. ■ iv together "than at jiny time in 'Ms hU'orv. Further, we aro incomparably wronger than ever before, both from a, military and from a commercial point ot view. HELP FROM "DOWN UNDER." " Until tho outbreak of tho war wo relied upon Great Britain for tho borrowed capital necessary n> construct public works, and to develop tho country generally but as showing iho determination of i\'etv Zeulanders to do their bit I may mention that we recently floated a loan of £8,000,000 in tho Dominion, for war purposes, and wo obtained over £10,500,000. I believe that if another t-inuiar loan was required it could easily bo raisul. NewZealand, being a producing country, lias forwarded large quantities or supplies to the fmperiai linftrd ot Trade, and 1 am proud to think that our producers are more intom- on assisting the j Empire in this terrible war than in | making the best possible bargain for themselves in t-hoir negotiations with I tho representatives of the Mother Country. As an example of what. New Zealand is doing. I would point crat that this season the whole of her wool i s coming to London. lam not in a position to give exact figures, but it will represent about £15,000,000. Then the whole of her frozen moat is being Kent to this country, totalling £7,500,000 per annum, and arrancemonts are also being made for "the whole of her cheese output for the present season, reptfesent-mg a further £4,000,000. It is probable that* Croat Britain will also receive the whole of

her hides and sheepskins, which Pre invaluable- for manufacturing purposes. HOW THK WAIL WILL KM). " You ask mo very pertinently what do our .soldiers ihiuk of iho Mother Country and tln-ir rt>c»M)t f m by the people. (.In this ma Iter i run spe;:.k with considorabio knowledge. It hu» given them, the- utmost' come iO f Knghmd mid to w« ior themselves ihn country in which most of their parents iv«re born. The citizen «* all over the United Kingdom have treated our soldier.- with "ihe \Umcsi hospitality and kindness. 1 have lately been in a number ot imp or ..an;, .'.litres throughout, the three kingdoms, and everywhere 1 have received from onr troops the same account, of the unvarying kindness and the strong friendships which have been formed between them and the British people, "As to the wax? Well, I will not attempt to prophesy a» to when it will end, but I have always been an optimist, and I am even more of an optimist now than I waa two months ago. Whether the war be long or 6horb. I am convinced without the Bkadow of doubt that it will end gloriously for Britain md her Allies/*