MR MASSEY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16513, 25 August 1921, Page 5

MR MASSEY.

HONOUR FROM FRANCE. By Tel € graph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. LONDON, August 23. At the French Embassy to-day the Ambassador conferred on Mr Massey, on behalf of the President, the Order of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour. Mr Massey, in accepting the decoration, said he did go as a compliment to New Zealand as much ns an honour to himself personally in his capacity of tho Dominion’s representative of the Empire Conference. A FAREWELL RECEPTION. LONDON, August 23. Eight hundred attended the reception tendered by Sir James Allen to take farewell of Mr Massey, including many Imperial notabilities, AgentsGeneral and New Zealanders. Lord Morris, on behalf of the Imperial Fleet Committee, presented Mr Massey with a suitably inscribed New Zealand flag to commemorate the presentation to New Zealand of the aeroplanes Britannia and Nottingham. Sir James Allen said that Mr Massey had represented New Zealand well at the Conference. He wished him Godspeed. Lord Milner sajd he knew: Mr Massey as the most staunch, sturdy, ~and consistent of 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. Mr Massey had powerfully contributed to its attain-

ment. Amid many things that were maddening and perplexing at the present time there was one thing that had gone eminently right, that was the recent meeting of the Imperial Conference. He could see in this meeting of heads of the various nations within the Empire, sitting with equal status, the germ of an Imperial constitution. That there must be a 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 w'ith clearer flame than in that distant Dominion. He wished Mr Massey many good years of service. Air Massey, replying, said the results of the Conference had dispelled any anxiety about the Empire’s future. Tho sentiment of British citizenship was never stronger or more satisfactory than at present. The Dominion had also given proof in the most practical form that it was willing to take a fair share of responsibility. The Empire was the strongest factor for peace. It was their business to see that its pow'er for good was not interfered with, but made ready to protect its citizens. They must see that no injustice was done to tho weaker nations.