A CITIZEN OF THE EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2913, 8 November 1916, Page 5

A CITIZEN OF THE EMPIRE

4 MR. MASSEY HONOURED FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. ("The Times.") London, November 6. The Freedom of the City of London was conferred on the. Right Hon. W. F. Massey at the Guildhall to-day, in the presence of a largo assembly. A detachment of New Zealanders formed a guard of honour at tho entrance, while others filled the gallery and started their war-cry. ' The Lord Mayor and the aldermen received Mr. Massey on. a dais, on which were all the High Commissioners and the overseas Agents-General, Lord Desborough, Lord I Balfour of Burleigh, Mr. Bonar -Law, and Earl Grey. Mr. A. D. W. Pollock, City Chamberlain, in presenting the freedom of the City to Mr. Masse 3', said that Mr. Massey was the Third oversea- Premier who had received the honour since the outbreak of war. New Zealand had made heavy sacrifices in the great cause. The corporation offered a warm welcome to the brave soldiers present at the ceremony. They were typical men of a splendid fighting force, which had upheld New Zealand's honour at Gallipoli, in Egypt, and ■' Franco. Mr. quoted Sir lan Hamilton's and Sir Douglas Haig's appreciations of their services, and referred to the brilliant services of the cruiser New Zealand in the Battle of Jutland. Mr. Pollock" handed Mr. Massey the freedom enclosed iu a gold casket. Mr. Massey's Reply. Mr. Massey, replying, said that as an Empire citizeu he gloried in the work New Zealand had been able to accomplish and tho brotherhood established between fine different parts of the Empire. The war, hp said, had reached its most dangerous phase. He | considered that the encmy_, particularly its infantry, was becoming demoralised. Unquestionably wo were winning, but it was vital to put our heart, soul, and strength in keeping up reinforcements of men and munitions. If we failed in cither it would be a blunder worse than a crime, leading to the dragging on of the war indefinitely, and forcing an inconclusive peace. Ho believed tho Empire would last to the end of time, and that London would always he its capital. . LUNCHEON AT THE MANSION HOUSE "IN FREEDOM'S CAUSE." j London, November 6. After tlie ceremony the Lord Mayor enfercained a large number of New Zealanders at luncheon at the Mansion House. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, Sir Thomas and Lady Mackenzie, and other distinguished guests were present. The. Lord ■ Mayor, in proposing,his health, said that - Mr. Massey had thrown the whole of his high ability and great energy into the determination that New Zealand should • bear its full share of the defence of the Empire. . Mr. Massey, in reply, said we were not figthing for aggrandisement, but for the honour of the race to which we belonged. He paid a tribute to the splendid prowess of the Allies, and thanked the women of Britain for their Red Cross work, which was of great advantage to every part of the Empire. He especially thanked the women of Britain for their kindness to

"our boys." It. would never he forgotten. Earl Grey, in proposing "The Lord Mayor," said he was proud to be associated with what was practically the conferment of the freedom on the people of New Zealand. People who lived among mountains were generally gifted above others with high national ideals. His recent visit to New Zealand had confirmed that theory.

The Lord .■ Mayor, in returning thanks, said lie had visited Salisbury Plain, and was , struck by the magnificent cheerfulness of the Australasian soldiers.