POLITICAL LEADERS RETURN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 266, 6 August 1919, Page 8

POLITICAL LEADERS RETURN

WELCOMED AT AUCKLAND T (CRITICISM OF THE NATIONAL \?Jf:\ GOVERNMENT REPLIED TO BY MR. MASSEY . . 8y Telegraph—Press Association. ' ■.;,-. .;.. . Auckland, August 5. J IWoured.by beautiful weather the political leaders of the Dominion landed once again in Auckland from the Niagara this ■morning* after the last of th'eir war travels to the Old Country: Both Mr. Massey , and . Sir Joseph Ward arrived in the best of health and epirifcs to tiickle tho various domesHo problems awaiting them." v The ladies of the party also looked extremely well. . When the • steamer ranged alongside the wharf this morning a large party- of personal npd political friends of the two leaders were waiting to -welcome them on their return, and both of the New Zealand chiefs were kept busily occupied for some time in .exchanging hand-grips and greetings. When' the Ministers left; the ship for their hotel 'shortly after 10 o'clock thore whs a fair crowd of onlookers outside the barrier, and a certain amount of badinage was mingled with the neiirty cheering which greeted the enVoys as tho Ministerial cars went by. Leaders' Political Intentions. One of the points upon which New■Zμlandors are most keenly curious now thai the political heads of the country have returned is naturally that relating to the immediate lu'furo political intentions of the leaders. Is the Coalition likely to continuo for any lengthy period, and if, not how eoon is the party tocsin to be 6ounded? It is equally natural that the trig chiefs are extremely reticent on this delicate point. Said the Prime Minister this morning: "Until I meet tho n:«n-ibers-of the Reform Party I can express ■no opinion whatever on anj| matters connected with party politics."

Criticism of the Coalition. "While wo are on this subject of polices," said Mr. llaesey, "I should, just [like to make reference to the criticism Ftliat has been levelled n§ainst the Conlii'tion. and its administrative work. The ' "Coalition was formed for two purposes, namely, to enable us better to do our full share in the war and to'keep tho country prosperous daring the war, and ;T contend that both objects have been, 'achieved thoroughly and well. Ihat wa/ : Hiei sole reason for the existence of the ■'Coalition. It is not possible to carry on ordinary domestio legislation during a •par period such as we have experienced.

Cost of Living. "Now, as to the adverse comment respecting our cost of livins measures, . I aefc the people to compare the cost of living in. this country , with that in othe> countries. In England to4ay the cost of living is double what it is in New Zealand, and in France it is 50 per cent, higher still. In Canada and America 'also look where prioes have wared, compared with New Zealand prices. Do you not think that if it had been possible to keep the cost of living in those countries down to the level which we would jall'lita to see their statesmen would not have~done something to effect that reduction?' It is absurd to argue that nothing has been done to oheck tho upward tendency by the statesmen of-the various countries where the burden of life,, is 80 heavy to-day. Statistics will slhow that a very great deal "hhe been done in. New Zealnd to keep down the cost of'living! I know that the. increases have pressed heavily on large numbers of people , of small incomes. Unfortunately this was a matter it was impossible to. Temedy, but I ohallenge the aoousation. that the Coalition Government has done nothing or has failed to do everything possible. Onlv this morning I saw a complaint by a member of PaTliament regarding the cost of living. My recollection is that that partioular mem-ber,-was himself- on. the Parliamentary Cost of Living Committee which made Borne valuable reconimenda.tione for -the future, .but failed to discover a single case of 'exploitation. That committee had an opportunity of calling for anything in /the shape of evidence and papers it considered necessary for its investigation; There is provision on the Statute

'Book to the effect that any trader guilty 'of .charging., more'than will ensure him a. reasonable profit, pairing all the_ oir- ■ onrnelances ■ into consideration, ie liable of *E2OO. or in the ciee of a .iwmpany to £WQO! Why don't the pub;;lic'rneai who oomplain about the Government -and the/ooet of living do their clause, and if they know . 'of exploitation,' set the law in operation "Sgainlt'the exploiters ?"

",'";:'. ".•The Journey Home. \ '".'■ With' the exception of .the train smash ; dxr«rieno©d. by the Prime Minister and party in Canada, both Ministers had a continuously pleasant trip across the .Atlantic, through Canada, and down the .Pacific. They left the English Channel early on June (29, and arrived at Halifax j.the. following Friday night. During the ,voyage eaoh Minister addressed the passengers, and also the troops, of wliom there were about 'WOO on Board, 'ihoir first-hand information about thu Peace Conference, and their robust references to Imperial unity _ and v'ar service* were keenly "appreoiaUd. Mr. Masaey'e pai'fcy left the Mauretama et Halifax, and proccwied the following day on their journey to Montreal, vhere they spent the week-end, aud_s!iw the ■progressive city at its best. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward and Mi<s Sanndws went on by the Mauretania to New York for a few days.

'■■-■' Canadian Hospitality. Mr. Massey and party broke their'jourBey also at Ottawa and Toronto. At each place the Prime Minister was oor'dially welcomed by representatives of the State and municipalities. At Ottawa he "attended' the prorogation of the Dominion Parliament, which had just concluded an, exceptionally lons and arduous session. Mr., Mrs., and Mies Maesey were guests of Sir Bobcrt Borden one evening, and the two Prime Ministers renewed their friendship of tho Peace Conference. At .Toronto Mr. Church, ■Mayor of the city, proved an excellent •host and guide. A long trip across the Prairies was very pleasant, but uneventful. At Vancouver, Mr. Maesey was invited to rolato his experiences at the Peace Conference. Hβ first addressed the Canadian Women's Club, hie. subject bein": "The War and After." On the following day the Primo Minister and Sir Joseph AVard, who had arrived from 'Now York, were tho guests of the Canadian Club at luncheon. About a thousand business men attended, and both Ministers were fiivon a great TeccDtion. Mr. Massey gave his reminiscences of tho Peace Conference, and Sir Joseph Ward discussed Imperialism. Their speeches were warmly appreciated. ■ Thoy aiso visited Viotoria and addressed tho local Canadian Club, again receiving true Canadian hospitality and appreciation. On the run down 'from Victoria to Auckland both the Ministers addressed the passengers.

A Miraculous Escape. It iwas a miraculous escapo &Ir. liasBey and his party experienced in the train smash on the Canadian National Railway between Halifax and Montreal. Tho paity consisted of tho Prime Minister, lire, and Misg MJassey, Mr. 1 , . D. Thompson (private secretary),'and llr. R. Riley. Tho accident occurred in the early hours of itjhe morning, when tho heavy train was making about fifty miles an hxrar on a level stretch, Tho party occupied a special car, attached to tho rear of tho train, and wore rudely awakened about 1.50 a.m. by a terrific jolt. The jolting and swaying continued for what , seemed rather a lone time hefpre the train finally iwas brought up by the violent application of the brakes. By.this time- the 'Stinister's car was partially wrecked, though the occupalits had not realised the extent of the smash. As they groped ffiWtfc 'in -darknesj."amidst- broken $ass ■end-piles-of , ;luggage, an attendant called out excitedly that the umlerpart of the baTriago was on fire.. It was discovered that the door was jammed. As it was being wTenohed open, another car attendIpFfwawled Wlt the wrecked oar and emosniflned tfcfr flro'by eramhing the

electrical cear., The party then proceeded leisurely to dress in capricious light from cheap matches. The ilftdies displayed admirable courage throughout, although subjected 'to much danger and an exceptionally rough experience, their compartments being littered with shattered gkss. Fortunately none of tho party was injured, and soon all were out before dawn investigating the nature of the accident. A rail had snapped, leaving a gap of about three feet, derailing four cars. Tho last car fared worst. It had swung across tho track from tho outset of the derailment, and had careered along the low embankment, sledging tho Txilfcstipg deeply for over a quarter of a mile. The under part of tho car fouled a loose rail V the wayside, with the- result that the war bogie on six .wheels had been wrenohed off like the wheels of a toy train, and left overhwiging a marshy place at tho foot of tho embankment. The car had .been dragged over six hundred yards at fifty miles an hour, part of the'perilous ride having been as on a toboggan. Tho track w«ij wrecked for the full distance. Only ono member of tho party was thrown off his bed, his feet smashing a leadlight ■ window before lie could scramble back to his baro bunk. After about ten hours' delay the party.safely reached Mnotreal, where they spent the week end. • / CIVIC RECEPTION AFTER-WAR PROBLEMS. Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward were tendered a civic reception to-day. When Mr. -Massey arose there was loud appkuse, mingled with booing from a hostile section. Tho Deputy-Mayor thereupon appealed for order, at which the booing burst out afresh. Mr. Entrican th<>n announced that he would ask the police to remove \ further interrupters. (Applause'and uproar.! Mr. Massey wns than able to make himself heard. He thanked the citizens nf Auckland for their hearty welcome. Sir'Jdsoph Ward and himself had just returned from representing New Zenland at the most momentous gathering the world hnd ever seen. "We have given our best in your interests," he declared, "and not unsuccessfully." . The Prime Minister spoke /of the pleasure that he nnd his colleague felt in being back to share the anxieties of the peoplo and to do their level best to get conditions back to normal. "Our anxieties have been lessened by the coming of peace," he continued, "'but our responsibilities have not been lesseneed, and our first duty is to make this peace worthy of what it hae cost; worthy of British citizenship, and worthy of the sacrifices made l)y our soldiers; worthy of the brave men who died for us." In conclusion, Mr. Mnsey said he had been working to. pat down the enemies of 'Britain, and he would not stop* now. He believed there were some enemies of tho King and the Empire in New Zealand, and amid a good deal of noise ]?q indicated that he would give his attention to disloyalists.

Sir Joseph Ward was also given a very cordial reception. He emphasised the importance of the Peace Conference, and said that although there were many varied opinions ae to the value of. the decisions of the Conference, a vast amount of valuable work had been done, osiwcially considering the different, countries represented. In New Zealand, as in all other countries in the world, great after-war problems had arisen, ,'riie con-ditions-prevailing five years ago had gone for ever as a. result of the war, and the time had arrived when all right-thinkint; people in the community should assist (he authorities in finding solutions for these post-war problems, and in framing measures for the development of the country J e resources, eo that the welfare of the whole community would be- assured. The people of New Zealand would eurely hare the common sense to recognise the fact that the problems needing attention were too nrpent to permit of petty bickerings. New Zealand should so on frdm one prosperous condition to another—a homo for free men and free women for generations , to come.