The Dominion MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1916. THE RIGHT NOTE.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2903, 16 October 1916, Page 4

The Dominion MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1916. THE RIGHT NOTE.

Sinob their arrival in London a few days ago, Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward have made a good many speeches, and have given interviews to the PreßS. On all occasions they have shown a discretion and judgment in their public utterances wholly commendable. "We are not here to borrow money or to ventilate grievances," the Prime Minister said on one occasion, and we may take it from this that our representatives have wisely resolved to keep, severely aloof from those political groups in the Mother Country which would gladly use them as a stick with which to beat the Government. One of the least pleasing features of the situation in Britain is the readiness with which certain sections of people and some newspapers have seized every chance to carp and gird- at the Government. Criticism on occasion has proved useful in stimulating the efforts of the Government, ,it has at times been fully justified, but there is no sense at a timo like the present in constantly harassing Ministers over trivial matters, and seeking to force them to disclose information which may encourago or prove helpful to the enemy. Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward will no doubt have matters to discuss in private with representatives of tho Government, notably the question of remedying the unfortunate position into which our meat export has drifted under the arrangement with the Home authorities, but we may hope and expect that these matters will be dealt with satisfactorily and amicably in private. Tho part which New Zealand has played and is playing in the wa,r was handsomely recognised by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Mr. Bonar Law, on the occasion,of the recent entertainment of our representatives, and their acknowledgment of this was in the right spirit. AVe are anxious to do our test in this war for many Teasons, but most of all because of what we owe to the Mother Country, and because our whole future must depend on what this war brings forth. It is true, as both Mk. Massey ■! and Sir Joseph Ward stated, that later on there, must be a readjust ment of the of the different parts of the Empire, and' that we and the sister Dominions must have a more direct voice in Imperial affairs, but that is not a matter to be pressed at the moment. Through the visit of our representatives and those of Canada and Australia wo are already exerting an influence on the course of events. It is regretEable that these visits could not have een all made at the one time, wheii the exchange of views and opinions would have been more comrilete, and a dearer and more definite understanding arrived at; but the visits of the overseas representatives must nevertheless leave" a distinct impression and one which cannot-bo ignored. For one thing, it has been made clear that in the settlement of peace terms the interests of the overseas Dominions must bo fully and fairly considered. For another, the prosecution of the war to a full and complete victory has been urged with an emnhasis which cannot be mistaken. It is well that our kindred in Britain should feel that their countrymen overseas are resolute in their determination to carry ,on the struggle to the bitter end, so "that our sons and brothers shall not, have laid down their lives in vain." In the matter of our future trade relations, too, Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward, like Mr. Hughes, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, have left no room for doubt as to the whole-hearted support that will be given to the resolutions agreed on at the Paris Conference. Here again (hey struck the right note. We may confidently expect that the visit nf our representatives to the Mother Country will be beneficial not only in enabling our political leaders to get into

that close touch with affairs at the hsart of the Empire essential to a olear understanding of the problems to be faced, but also to the leaders and people of Britain as well. New Zealand is but. a small parfl of the Empire, but its representatives now in London carry a \message of loyal devotion and unflinching resolution which should stir the hearts arid quicken the imagination of all who hear it. .•