BON VOYAGE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 224, 16 June 1919, Page 5

BON VOYAGE

NEW ZEALAND MINISTERS FAREWELLEI

(By Telegraph-Proas Association-Copyright tßec. June 15, 11.45 p.m.) London, June 14. Mr. Masse.y and Sir Joseph Ward were entertained at luncheon by the High Commissioner prior to their impending departure for New Zealand. A very largo number of New Zealanders anil others was present. Mr. Masse.v's health was.; proposed by Mr. Catheari Wason, M.P., formerly of New Zealand, and Sir Joseph Ward's by the Hon. Penibcr Reeves.

Referring to the work of the Peace Conference, Mr. Massey said that unfortunately many diverse issues were dealt .with in the early stages, thus causing many delays, but much important work had been done. It had to bo remembered that world-wide alterations of boundaries and settlement of varied •. claims over a score of nations could not be accomplished quickly and givo complete satisfaction. A stage of important developments had been reached, and with; in a few days the German delegates would be 'compelled either to sign or refuse definitely and accept the consequences. He felt certain that, in any case tho people throughout the Empire would courageously do tho right thing in any circumstances. As regarded Sa-. moa, New Zealand would have preferred the British Government to have takon control, but this wag impossible under the mandatory system, and therefore the next best thing-was for New Zealand to accept the control and niako sure that Samoa would never again bo under a foreign Power. New 'Zealand, he felt sure, accepted the responsibility without hesitation, and would <lo its best to make tho islands prosperous and tho inhabitants contented. He believed that in the future New Zealand, with its deficiencies, would become a strong British community in the South Pacific. He had no fear for the future, eo far as New Zealand was concerned, and he felt confident that the people would do theiv share in any crisis that might arise. British people everywhere must tako un energetically ,i policy of development and become independent of other nations for their most important requirements. Sir Josenh Ward said that tho Empire had to meet an unparalled'position as regards finance. Only two things would help the taxpayer to carry its burden. These were, firstly, enormously increased production; seoondly,_ the- determination to save in directions not hitherto wTTfemplated. It was to be regretted that some great men at tho Peace' Conference were very often misunderstood as, to what they .were really doing in extraordinary difficulties. The general feeling was that w» were not going to lose the war by having a bad peace.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.