THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17477, 23 January 1919, Page 2

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

N.Z. DELEGATES' ARRIVAL IN LONDON.

LONDON, Jan. 21

Sir Thos. Mackenzie, iVirs McDonald, Sir James Mius, General Richardson, Colonel Wiiioughby (representing the King), Colonel s>tore (, representing titeWar Cabinet), Major 'iiiornlton (re.pr&fcen'ting the Colonial Oiiice), M-t'asrs. Donne, Moss Dm vis, Rhodes aJid Coates were among ihoso welcoming Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward at Paddington. A guard of honour under Colonel Hall included representatives of every unit of the New Zealand Forces, and there were also a crack band from Sling Camp, and mounted New Zealand artillerymen, who escorted the motor cars to the Hotel Savoy. Sir Josepli Ward and Mr. Massey were delighted a$ the military reception. Generals Richardson and Hall arranged th,e ceremony. Tho band marched ahead or the motor cars, through streets crowded wiith Sunday evening promenaders, between Padding-ton and the Savoy. The baud drew up in the fore-court of th& Savoy, and played for half an hour. Lieut. Andrew (of Wanganui), a New Zealand winner of the Victoria Cro?s, was presented to Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward

Mr Massey, interviewed, said he was particularly touched by the fact that the King, despite his domestic trouble, had sent a special representative to meet ths New Zealand delegates to the Peace Conference. They had been out of touch with.' English wireless during the voyage, and had only had American news, so they had no idea of the position oi affairs ait the Conference, but intended to go to Paris directly he had consulted the Imperial authorities in London.

Mr Massey said he was very disappointed with the arrangements regarding the New Zealand representation, buit satisfactory arrangements ' were still possible. He slated that New Zealand was as strong as ever regarding the. future of the German colonies in the Pacific. New Zealand's motto..was "Never again! No more Germans in the ..Pacific;!". The Conference had n most difficult problem in".deciding the fufturo of the Continental armies in Europe. This might well bke .settled by the adoption of the New ..Zealand system, of compulsory training, which was worth having on physical grounds alone, apart from the Defence system. "Sir Joseph Ward said they had haa a very interesting journey, via Panama, wher c a sp&cial train awaited the party and carried them to Colon, where tho auxiliary cruiser Ophir was Avaiting with steam up.' Owing to special arrangements made by the Government, the "New Zealand delegates will only miss Hie formal opening of the Peace Conference. They would have made an even quicker passage, but for bad weaithor in the Atlantic. Sir Joseph Ward said Ihey werel interested to learn that Lord Jellicoe- was going to Australia, and hoped it would he pos- ] sible to prrange an extension of the •trip to New Zealand, whose people would he naturally desirous of seeing the victor of the Ba;ftl© of Jutland, | ©specially as he was voyaging aboard the battle-cruiser New Zealand.