BON VOYAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 230, 28 September 1929, Page 9

BON VOYAGE.

FAREWELL MESSAGES. Mr. Mac Donald Leaves With Support Of Britain. VISIT TO AMERICA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, September 27. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald, who leaves London for Southampton tonight and will sail on the Berengaria early to-morrow morning, will take to the United States the good wishes of all hi? countrymen for the successful termination of his mission. The 'Manchester Guardian" to-day states that the people of all parties join in the belief that the forthcoming Washington understanding, of which the foundations were laid by all the British parties, will be a marking date in history. The visit is to be in the nature of a concord between the two nations and something should be settled at Washington for a five-Power conference on the problem that lies ahead, and which must be held before disarmament in earnest can be launched. The "Guardian" concludes, from the absence of any naval expert from the Prime Minister's party, that a full agreement has been reached, and accepted by the British Admiralty. Mr. Mac Donald's Party. Those accompanying Mr. Mac Donald are Sir Robert Yansittart, who is his principal private secretary, as he wai to the ex-Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, and who is also Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office and a late head of the American Department there; Mr. Thomas Jones, who has been deputySecretary to the Cabinet during the terms of office of the last four Prime Ministers; and Mr. Robert Craigie, present head of the American Department at the Foreign Office. The ladies of the party are:—Miss Ishbel Mac Donald, the Prime Minister's daughter, and his private secretary, Miss Rosenberg. The "Daily Herald" to-day reproducer a letter from Mr. Mac Donald, in which, referring to his inability to attend the annual conference, of the Labour party, which will take place during his absence, he says: — "I go, on a voyage of exploration. The greatest contribution which this generation can make to the history of the world is to establish peace amongst the nations and to induce them to feel a. sense of security. The United States and ourselves, having the same objects, should proclaim them with united voice. The good and cordial relations between us two can change the outlook for peace and give the world energeticfaith instead of hesitating scepticism. "I go away to see w T hat can be done, and with the help of my colleagues in the Labour movement and of every influence making for peace, who dares to say that success is impossible!" Prior to his departure for the United States to-day the Prime Minister made the following statement to the Press:— "I am looking forward very much to my visit to the United States and Canada, and to the renewal of old and to the making of new friendships there. But of course, this is an official, visit and is concerned with public affairs. I do not expect my stay in Washington to lead to spectacular developments. One reason for this is that the current negotiations concerning naval disarmament have been carried so far that they have now to be brought to a wider international stage before there could be any progress in naval disarmament. Terminating Deadlock. "It was necessary for Washingt6n and London to devise means for terminating the deadlock which had arisen between them at the Geneva Conference . in 1927. lam glad to say that we have made such good progress in this work that the moment has, we hope, come when the five naval Powers, who signed the Washington treaties can ba invited to join and ensure the common and happy issue to the conference. "If all goes well the five-Power conference will be held early in the New Year. If it succeeds it will supply the Preparatory Disarmament Commission of the League of Nations with a substantial contribution to naval disarmament. The Preparatory Commission would then be free to proceed with its general work, and it will later on be possible for the League of Nations to summon a general disarmament conference of all the nations, towards which it has long been working." Other Impulses For Visit. The Prime Minister added: "Such, briefly, is the situation regarding disarmament, but that is not the only! impulse that moves me to go to America. ] I want very much to see President Hoover once again and to meet other American public men, many of whom I know already. We have so much work to do which cannot he done unless we understand and have confidence in each | other. The history of the AngloAmerican naval situation during the past three years proves, if proof is needed, that the closest possible understanding between the two nations is of the greatest importance, not only for those nations but for the world. I have always felt that personal contact between those actually responsible for the Government in Washington and in London is essential if that understanding is to be developed as fully as we all wish it to be. "Both nations have a great role to play in the advancement, not only of disarmament, but also of many other democratic and moral issues with which their history is associated. lam ioff in the hope of being able to do something to narrow the Atlantic." Message From King. Mr. Mac Donald received the following message from the King:—"On the eve of your journey, I wish you God-speed. Itis a departure that will be surrounded with good wishes, for it is a contribution to those happy relations between two great peoples which must be an article of faith anions: all men of good will." Mr. Mac Donald replied:-—"With my humble duty to Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's gracious and kindly thought in sending tte good wishes for the journey which "will indeed, I trust, be a fruitful innovation." The Prime Minister also received the following message from Sir Kynaston Studd, Lord Mayor of London:—"The citizens of London arc taking a keen interest in your visit to America and heartily wish you a successful issue 3 a pleasant voyag'e and a safe return."