The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1917. A STRIKING OCCASION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3127, 4 July 1917, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1917. A STRIKING OCCASION

Few speeches of more far-reaching interest and importance have been delivered in tbe_ New Zealand Houec of Representatives than those in which Me.- Masse? and Sie Joseph Ward yesterday outlined their work and experiences on their recent visit to Great Britain. It was , the matter rather than the manner of tho speeches which commanded attention, for both tho Prime Minister and his colleague were too overburdened with the mass of information which they had to disclose to do full justice to its delivery. But tho most captious critic, after reading tho interesting and important disclosures made, must now realise that so far from.tho visit being a waste of time and. money, or unduly prolonged, it has been of the utmost vain©'to' Now Zealand and in somo respects also of value to the Empire. Even from the narrowest and most selfish, not to say sordid, point of view, the head of the Government and his Finance Minister were able to show that the qountry had benefited in a large and material way as a result of their journey overseas. We need not recapitulate hero what they had to tell concerning their efforts in London on behalf of the primary producers of tho Dominion and of the improved conditions which the-yi were able to securo regarding tho 'sale of our produce. Suffice it to say that Sir Joseph Ward estimated the 'increased yield to the producers of the Dominion to amount to £3,750,000 on the year's exports of meat, wool, and cheese. In connection with our financial ob-' ligations, too, tho Ministers wei'b able to intimate that all the millions raised in tho early stages of the war on short-dated loans had been converted'into loans with a currency of 30 years. That is to say, tho worry of iinanoing a few years ahead to meet their obligations has been removed as the result of their visit, and this has been accomplished without alny discount or hrokorago charges; a saving estimated to amount to £490,000. In other directions also the Ministers could point to direct and material benefits accruing or likely to accrue to the Dominion as tho outcome of their representations in London, and it must bo conceded that they have shown themselves extremely zealous and markedly successful in this (ield of their ' activities in the Motherland.

It is, however, on tho larger matters of Imperial concern affecting deeply tho future of Now Zealand ancl the Empire that we should prefer to dwell. Here Mil. Massey and Sin Josisfh Ward, though obviously handicapped by the _ necessity for observing a discreet silence on many questions of the deepest interest, were yot able to throw further light on, and to indicate the significance of, various decisions arrived at by the Imperial War Conference and the War Cabinet. As they proceeded the importance of tho advance made in inter-Imperial relations grew increasingly clear. The great stride forward which tho overseas dominions have- made- in being admitted to tho innermost councils of the Imperial authorities wa-sevidenc-ed by the recital of events by tho two Ministers and by the outline, of the proceedings at these great conferences which they were able to supply. Nothing cottld be more impressive of tho readiness of the stalesmen of the Motherland f.o welcome tho overseas dominions to a full share in the councils of tie nation than the prompt acceptance and endorsement of those important propositions brought forward by Mb. Massfa* on'the'subject of preferential tariffs and by Sir Joseph Ward on the subject of Empire defence. It would seem certain beyond all question that tho _ 'tremendous changes in inter-Imperial relations which have for ho long formed the subject of academic discussions havo passed into tho realm of practical events, and that our leaders and public men generally rnust_ turn their minds to tho consideration of how Now Zealand can best play its part in the altered conditions which lie ahead of tho Empire. Both Mr, Massbv and his colleague found it difficult to give full expression to their admiration of tho manner iu which the ptoplo of Great Britain have risen to tho magnitude of tho task which tho war has thrust upon them. Our Ministers have, however, brought back a story of heroism, sacrifice, and steadfast dejormination which should encourage and inspire us in tho performance of that part of tbo task which it is our privilege and duty to share with 'tbflffl.