FAREWELL TO MR. MASSEY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 284, 25 August 1921, Page 5

FAREWELL TO MR. MASSEY

PRESENTATION OF A NEW ZEALAND FLAG / WORK AT CONFERENCE EULOGISED WARM TRIBUTE BY LORD MILNER By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. August 24, 8.20 p.m.) London, August 23. Eight hundred attended a reception tendered foy Sir James Allen to take farewell of Mr. Massey, including many Imperial notabilities, Agents-General, and New Zealanders. Lord Morris, on behalf of the Imperial Fleet Committee, presented Mr. Massey with a suitably inscribed New Zealand flag to commemorate the presentation to New Zealand of the aeroplanes Britannia and Nottingham. Sir James Allen said Mr. Massey represented New Zealand well at the Conference. He wished him God-speed. Lord Milner, in supporting the remarks of Sir James Allen, said he knew Mr. Massey as the most staunch, sturdy, and consistent of Imperial statesmen. One always knew whore one could find him on fundamental questions. The direction of Mr. Massey’s statesmanship had always been consistently towards closer union of the Empire. Mr. Massey had powerfully contributed to its attainment. Amid many things that were maddening and perplexing at the present time there was one thing that had gone eminently right. That was tho recent meeting of the Imperial Conference. He could seo in this meeting of tho heads of the various nations within the Empire, sitting with equal status, the germ of an Imperial constitution. That there must be a constitution was certain, but it need not be a thing deliberately framed or embodied in an Act of Parliament. Mr. Massey was a true interpreter of the spirit of New Zealand. Lord Milner added that in no part of the British world did the fir? of-Imperial patriotism burn with a c’narcr flame than in that distant Dominion. He wished Mr. Massey many good years of service. Mr. Massey, replying, said the results of the Conference dispelled e.ny anxiety about tho Empire’s future. The sentiment of British citizenship was never stronger or more satisfactory than nt present. The Dominion had also given proof in tho most practical form that it was willing to take a fair share of responsibility. The Empire was the strongest factor for peace. It was their business to see that its power for good was not interfered with, but made ready to proteot it. Citizens must see that no Injustice was done to weaker nations. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FRENCH DECORATION FOR MR. MASSEY GRAND OFFICER OF LEGION OF HONOUR. (Rec. August 24, 5.5 p;m.) London, August 23. At the French Embassy to-day the Ambassador conferred on Mr. Massey, on behalf of the President, the Order of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour. Mr. Massey, in accepting the decoration, said he did so as a compliment to Now Zealand, as much as an honour to himself personally in the capacity of the Dominion’s representative at the Empire Conference. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.