N.Z. STANDS WITH MOTHER COUNTRY

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18015, 27 November 1926, Page 10

N.Z. STANDS WITH MOTHER COUNTRY

DOMINION EVER READY TO HELP EMPIRE’S CAUSE. Ey Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 27, 2.30 p.m.) • LONDON, November 26. *The Conference has not been a one* man show. There was no outstanding figure such as Sir Austen Chamberlain or Mr Deakin. On the contrary it was a team of which each member pulled his full weight, Mr Coates equally with the others,” said Mr Amerj', presiding at the British Empire League lunch in honour of Mr Coates, to whom he paid a warm tribute. Mr Amery added that Mr Coates was a successor to a line of Prime Ministers, notably Mr W. F. Massey, whose traditions were always Imperial, whose word was always their bond and who cn all great issues of the Empire stood side by side with this country and were prepared to give the best brains, money and blood for the ideals of the Empire.

Air Amery continued that Mr Coates •won the highest regard, affection and esteem of their fellow members of the Conference.

Mr Coates, in responding, said that New Zealand was ever ready to help the cause of the Empire. He had found the Conference practically constituted and of one Imperial mind, not engaged in disputations, and not differing in opinions where grave Imperial issues were concerned. “We always regarded ourselves as autonomous members of the Empire,*’he said. “Nevertheless we never forgot our indebtedness for protection by the British flag. New Zealand knows where she stands: That is alongside the Mother Country.”

He paid a tribute to the British Ministers’ contributions to the Conference discussions. The results of British and the Dominions’ co-operation was a gentleman’s agreement of which every member of the Conference was proud. Earl Jeilicoe proposed Mr Amery’s health, saying that his statesmanlike vision had ensured the success of the Conference.