ABOUT NAURU

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 290, 3 September 1919, Page 7

ABOUT NAURU

PARTY LEADERS DIFFER

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S STRANGE PROTEST

An argument, that was not fully explained to members aroso in the Hou.se of Representatives yesterday afternoon when tho Prime Minister was making- a statement regarding the Peace Treaty. Mr.- Maseey had been referring to Nauru Island, and had mentioned that the claims nmde 'by Mr. Hughes and himself were referred.lo Mr. Lloyd George for arbitrament. Mr. Lloyd George 'handed the matter over to Lord Milncr. who mot Mr. Miiesey and Mr. Hughes on several occasions before the terms of the Nauru mandate wore settled. Mr. T. M. AVilford (Hutt): Was Sir Joseph Ward present? Mr. Massey: He was present at tho meeting witli Mr. Lloyd George. Sir Joseph Wnrd: I don't want to raise any issue, but I merely want to say that on' a point on which I knnw nothing, and on which I was not consulted, I take no responsibility. I must judge of the position when I see it. Mr. Massey: I take all responsibility. Sir Joseph Ward: I had a responsibilMr. Massey: Does' tho honourable gentleman want mo to say what happened at that first meeting, when Mr. Hughes wne present and the discussion was very S ? r Joseph Ward: What .happened? Mr. i Massey: No.-, I am not going to take part in a schoolboy squabble. I say I take thrf responsibility for what haWened at Nauru. Sir Joseph .Ward: I think anything in reference to. myself should be stated publicly/ as you have referred to it. . . /Mi'. Massey: I do not understand Hie honourable gentleman's objection. Ho was present nnd heard the arrangement that I should meet Mr. Lloyd George. Mr. Lloyd George refused .-to take the responsibility! and handed the matter over tn Lord Mflnor, nnd there were many discussions subsequently. ■Sir Joseph Ward; May I be allowed to eav that I was present at one meetingP . Mr. Massey was doing his best for New Zealand, and is entitled to the fullest credit. At that meeting a dispute arose between Mr. Massey and Mr. Hu"hes and Mr. Cook, and the meeting adjourned. That was the only meeting I was ever at.- It was the only meeting I was asked to go to. I do not know the conditions of tho. Nauru mandate, directly or indirectly, or anything about it. Fo'r that reason I want to make it clear that I was not consulted. >It may bo an agreement that I would readily assent, to, but until I know what it is I cannot tnko any responsibility. Mrl -Maerey: I don't understand tho objection. I never saw the agreement until the day I left Paris,'and the honouruble gentleman had gone away from Paris some weeks before that.

Sir Joseph Ward: Not weeks; Mr. Massey: Well, some considerable time. I can't recollect the exuet number of dnys. ■ ■ Sir Joseph Ward: It wns while I was in Paris.. It was long before then. ■ Mr. Mas c ey: Tho agreemnt came down the day before I left Paris. I don't nnderstnnd this. It is all new to me.

The Prime Minister then proceeded with hie statement. ■ .