N.Z. MINISTERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16428, 23 January 1919, Page 7

N.Z. MINISTERS.

WARM WELCOME AT LONDON

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.£. Cable Association.) LONDON, January 19.

Sir Thomas Mackenzie and Lady Mackenzie, Sir James Mills, General Richardson, Colonel Willoughbv (representing the King), Colonol Store (representing tho War Cabinet), Major Thornton (representing the Colonial Office), and Messrs T. E. Donne, Moss Davis, J. H. B. Coates and Colonel the Hon. R. H. Rhodes, were among those who welcomed Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward at Paddington. Tho guard of honour, under Colonel Hall, included representatives of every unit of tho S'cw Zealand Forces. There was also a crack band from Sling Camp. Mounted Now Zealand artillerymen escorted tho motor-cfirs to the Savoy Hotel.

Sir Josenhi Ward and Mr Massey were deligntcd at the military reception. General Richardson and Colonel Hall arranged the ceremony. The band marched ahead of the motor-cars through streets crowded with Sunday evening promonaders between Paddington and "the Savoy Hotel. The band drew up before tho.-court of the Savoy and played for half an hour. SecondLieutenant Andrew, a New Zealand winner of tho Victoria Cross, 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 spccial representative to meet the Now Zealand delegates to tho Peace Conference. They had been out of touch with English wireless during the voyage. They only 1 had American news, so that they had no idea of the position of affairs at tho Conference, but they intended to go to Paris directly he had consulted tho Imperial authorities in London. Ho was very disappointed at the arrangement regarding New Zealand's representation, but a satisfactory arrangement was still possible. Mr Massey stated that New Zealand was as strong as over regarding tho futuro of the German colonies in the Pacific. New Zealand's motto was: "Never again. No more Germans in the Pacific." The Conference had a most difficult problem in deciding tho future of Continental armies in Europe. This might well bo settled by the adoption of the New Zealand system of compulsory training, which wob worth having on physical grounds alone, apart from the defence system.

' Sir Joseph Ward said they had had a very interesting journey via, Panama. A special train awaiting the party carriod them to Colon, where the auxiliary cruiser Ophir was waiting, with steam up. Owing to special arrangements mado by the Government, the New Zealand delegates would only miss tho formal opening of tho Peace Conference. They would have made even a quicker passage but for bad weather in the Atlantic. They were interested to learn that Lord Jellicoo was going to Australia, and he hoped it would be possible to arrange an extension of the trip tc Now Zealand, where the people naturally were desirous of seeing the victor of the battle of Jutland, especially as he would be voyaging aboard the battle-cruiser Now Zealand.