KEEN INTEREST IN THE VISITORS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3575, 9 October 1916, Page 5

KEEN INTEREST IN THE VISITORS.

INTERVIEW WITH Mil MASSEY

(Received-October 9, 12.20 p.m.)

.LONDON, October 8. The Hon. W. F., Massey's and Sir Joseph Ward's quarters at the Hotel Cecil were already the centre of newspaper exchanges^ which is indicative of the public interest when the news that the Ministers had arrived became generally known. It had boon kept secret,, and even Anglo-New -Zealanders were unaware of the date; or the fact that the Ministers were aboard the iiotorua. ,w-. ». Sir Thomas Mackenzie organised a welcome at Paddington. Station at two hours' notice. .

■Mr Massey, interviewed to-day, said Ha. was delighted withvhis impression of I#oHd6n from the very first. New Zealand hvA good reason to be proud of lier boys. The Dominion was determined to send all needfail reinforce-* ments. He iuid Sir Joseph Ward were visiting Britain at the Government's invitation to discuss matters of a confidential nature, including important ■commercial problems such .as the meat supply for the troops and future trading with Germany and Austria. No loan was under contemplation, as New Zealand fortunately had all the money she required. They intended to visit the New Zen landers in France and see the/North Sea Fleet, including H.M.S. Mew Zealand. They' would also visit 'wq, hospitals ih Britain. Mr Massey added that ho would visit North Ireland, if possible, to see his birthplace at Derry. Tho visit would enable Sir Joseph .Ward ;mrl himself to explain New Zealand's Military Service Bill to •fche British public. It was gratifying -to remember that when he ai/d Sir Joseph Ward had left New Zealand •not n man had boon taken compulsbriiy.