MINISTERS RETURN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 17, 15 October 1918, Page 6

MINISTERS RETURN

MR. MASSEY AND SIR JOSEPH WARD WELCOME AT THORNDON STATION The Prime Minister (Right Eon. W. F. Massey) and the Minister of Financo (Bight Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) turned to Wellington yesterday. They reached Thorndon station 011 the Auckland mail train at 2 p.m., and were'met there by members of the Ministry, the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke, M.i\), and mcnibers'of the City Council, representatives of the public departments, and some citizens. Cheers were given as tho returning Ministers alighted from the train. Tlie Mayor of Wellington briefly welcomed Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward on the station platform. He said that he felt entitled to extend a welcome on behalf of the citizens as a body. ' There might be differences of opinion regarding matters of policy and detail, but there no difference of opinion among the people iu greeting the two statesmen who had - been representing New Zealand on the other side of the world. The Ministers had done splendid work abroad. They had dealt with important matters of Imperial policy in London, and they had mingled with the New Zealand soldiers at the front. He wished to welcome them back very heartily. Mr. Massey, in reply, thanked the Mayor for his kind words. He said that ill Auckland, at Palmerston North, and now in the Capital City he and, Sir Joseph Ward had been welcomed home, and they appreciated tho kindly thought very highly. They had K-en away from Wellington for over five months, and during that time they had travelled far' and seen great 'changes. The people of the Empire had not been as optimistic five months ago as they were at the present time. The tide of war had turned now, and it was running like a mill-raco in favour. of the Allies. He believed that the time was not far distant when tho defeat cf the enemy would be completed and pence concluded on the terms desired by the Allies. He hoped that the day of peace would come very soon, and that tho conditions obtained by the victorious Allies would bo worthy of the sacrifices that had been made by tlw fighting men of the Empire and by the citizens generally. (Applause.) Sir Joseph Ward also thanked the Mayor for the welcome that had boon extended to the Ministers. He could assure his friends here, he said, that it was a matter of very great satisfaction to be back safe and sound in Now Zealand. Only thoso people who had travelled across! the ocean§, and particularly the Atlantic Ocean, could realise tile risks that were being run by the men who were crossing the sea in their millions to help the Allied forces give tho finishing touches to viclory in the great struggle for freedom and the future of civilisation. The man who laid his head on his pillow on an Atlantic steamer nowadays did so knowing that there were depth-bombs waiting close at hand to be used against the lurking submarine, and that lifebelts were placed within reach of his hand in case he should be plunged suddenly into- tho icy waters. Ill; knew, also, that the water was so cold that a ten minutes' swim would freeze him, and that his chance of life in tho water would be almost nil. Travellers 011 IfiO Atlantic learned to appreciate the heroism of the sailors. The end -of the war had never been in doubt. It had been only a matter of time, even in March last, when the barbaric forces of tlie enemy would be destroyed by tho might and justice arrayed against them. The nation was now within* a reasonable distance, if not i within sight, of the close of the terrible struggle. Herniated that the Allies would be guided bj th# words of Marshal Foch, who had said that lie was not prepared to grant an armistice to the enemy until the battle had ended in the way he intended it to end. A victory of the kind that the Allies wore going to win would secure the peace d the world for generations to come. In conclusion, Sir Joseph Ward said it was a grand thing to bo back in New Zealand, and to see the Mayor of Wellington looking well and cheerful <?e----spite, the inevitable ups and downs of pftblic life. He and Mr. Massey had come back prepared to share tho cares of politics and the rejoicings that would come when the peace-bells rang in Wellington. 1 At the call of the Mayor, cheers were given for the ministers and for Mrs. Massey and Lady Ward. ; PUBLIC RECEPTION TO-DAY The Mayor (Mr. J. 1\ Luke), with the consent of the City Council, has decided to tender to the Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. W. P. Massey) and Sir Joseph Ward a public reception at noon to-day' in the Town Hall. The public is invited to attend and give the Dominion's representatives on the Imperial Council a hearty welcome. At the conclusion of tho receptio'i tho returned Ministers, with other members of the Cabinet, will be entertained by the Mayor and council at luncheon.