NEW ZEALAND'S PEACE DELEGATES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 146, 15 March 1919, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND'S PEACE DELEGATES

MR. MASSEY ADDRESSES AMERICAN SOLDIERS REIMS AND SOISSONS VISITED By Telegraph-Press Afeocintion-Copyright London, March 13. Official—Mr. Massey was the guest of the Y.M.C.A. on Monday night, nnd addressed about two thousand American soldiers, who wero entertained by the "Tiiis." tlie New Zealand soldiers' concert party. Mr. M'asscy, who was most cordially received, referred to tho manner in which tho war had removed past friction between America nnd Great Britain, and had brought the two great English-speak-ing nations together in effective co-opera-tion for tho triumph of honour and liberty oil the batllehelds of France. He hoped they would never again be estranged; that the existing good feeling and spirit of unity would be liifiiiifeiiaed as aids to prosperous developments. that tho best interests of both would be kept above and beyond party politics, nnd that there would be no political interference by either nation ill the domestic aifairs of "the other, go that the lessons of tho war would have an iniluoiu'c for permanent good on tho life of nacn nation. Both nations had fought with the gallant citizens ofFraace for the highest ideals; and had won. All must now strive to bo worthy of tha great victory, and thus secure the Victoria of peacc. Mr. Massey and Sir .Tosopli Ward attended the New Zealand Y.M.C.A. headquarters at Paris 011 Tuesday, and were heartily .welcomed by the eoldiers on leave, and by the staff of this excellent organisation. The Ministers spoke of the splendid reputation of tho New Zenlanders. both as soldiers and as men, who had everywhere made good nnd groat tho name and fame of New Zealand. A royal welcomo awaited -the'rn. As regards the peace settlement, it was impossible to speak definitely, but the lessons of Prussian warfare emphasised tha need for demanding a full measure of reparation and indemnities for the nations upon whom tho destructive war had been thrust. Tho New Zealand delegation during tho week-end. visited Keims and Soissons, and saw the appalling devastation and wanton destruction which Germany deliberately had done. Keims and score* of- villages are now desolate, deserted ruins, while tho former fair vineyards are grotesque cemeteries.—Aus.-N.Z. ' Cable Assnv '