RETURN OF MR MASSEY.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1917, Page 4

RETURN OF MR MASSEY.

AN INTERVIEW.

(Per Press Association..— Copyright.)

Auckland, June 25

Speaking of the maintenance of the mercantile marine and the supply of shipping space to New Zealand, Mr Massey said the shipping is the big trouble of the day, and the difficulty in supplying tonnage is owing to the fact that Britain’s mercantile marine is doing double the work it had before the war with a smaller number of ships. Trade has consequently -been cut down in all directions. New Zealand suffers moie than other countries, because it is so far away from the great markets ot the world. In supplying foodstuffs, etc, for the Army we are at a disadvantage when compared with other countries, in that we are twice the distance away from the centre, and the countries which are nearer can fulfil the needs ot the armies. It is impossible for me to go into details at present in connection with shipping, but we have done all that is possible to keep trade going, arid our efforts have met with a certain amount of suc-

cess. The fnture depends on the submarine campaign. . 6 nee this is overtaken., neutral ships will entertrades which have suffered by the shipping shortage* At the present time neutral ships will not leave their ports owing to the submarine warfare. Once this is overcome a change will come; The overcoming of the submarine problem will, no doubt, take a little time, but the Germans cannot starve Britain and cannot keep supplies from the armies.

Matters which have engaged our attention have been the sale of New Zealand products such as wool, cheese, hides, _ieat and skins. Other questions have been thoso relating to New* Zealand soldiers. The Imperial War Cabinet"and Imperial War Conference occupied a great deal of out time.

As for the end of the war, said the Prime Minister, no man can tell when War will end. All I can tell is that we will go on until we win. Great Britain and her All es have made tip their minds on- that point; The feeling is exceptional')* good, there being no Jingoism or hysteria, bnt a steadfast ilet-rniimitiou (o go rm nut 1 we can dictate our own terms. We visited France, and were with (lie soldiei’3 there for u week. We saw many of the New Zealand t"oops, but, of course, not all, because of the huge area of the ground over which they are posted. They were all in good spirits, cheei fill and confident. They are determined, and do not want to stop at anything short of a decisive victory. I was glad to notice the esteem in which New Zealand and New Zealanders are held. England is practically an armed camp. 1 don’t think there is a centre in which New Zealand soldiers cannot be found, either being nursed back to health or on leave. While passing through Canada we had a few days before sailing, and’ spent these in vbiting several of the great Canadian cities; I can assure you the British citizenship counts for a great deal nowadays. Wherever New Zealanders put in an appearance they are welcomed. Questioned as to Canada’s attitude towards our methods of reinforcing the New Zealand forces, Mr Massey said that imitation is the sincerest flattery, and in regard to the supply of reinforcements Canada has proved that our methods are such that they are worthy of copying. They are doing there what we did twelve months ago. This is the feeling of the authorities in the Old Country. I wish to make it clear that our people should not get the impression that the task to be carried out is an easy one. This is very far from being the case. The

whole of the power of both Britain and her Allies will have to be exercised to the full to enable this to be done.

There is a hope that the war may end in 1918, bnt it is impossible for anyone to forecast this. One thing is certain that there is a great determination on the part'of the British authorities, backed by the people, not to knnekie down to a stalemate result. Everything that is humanly possible is being done to bring about success to our arms. The coming in of America has added greatly to the strength of the Allies, especially from the financial point of view. Tlie hulk of the financial responsibility fell upon the British Government, but the entry of United States Inis made all the difference in the world in this respect. The War Conference and the War Cabinet have hoth done most valuable work for the* Empire. The War Cabinet dealt with matters exclusively relating to.the war, arid necessarily much of .its work is kbpt secret, but I am fight in saying that its deliberations and decisions have vitally affected the interests of the whole Empire. As a member of the conference one got a thorough knowledge of its.gigantic proportions and the great nature of the work falling on the British War Cabinet. Some of .the resolutions off the Imperial War Conference have already been made public, and need not be referred to by mo. A great deal of its work must be kept secret until the end of the war, as it is considered that, to disclose it. now would be giving i*formation to the enemy.