MINISTERIAL VI-IT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1921, Page 3

MINISTERIAL VI-IT

AIR MASSEY AT GRJSYMOUTH. [ The Hon W. F. Massey arrived from Hokitika at Greymouth yesterday • about 3 o’clock, when he met a number !of deputations on various matters. In the evening Mr Massey was accorded a | public reception in the Town Hull. I During the course of a speech, Mr j Aljissey said lie had a very important I statement to make. He had received a ■ telegram from Mr AY inston Churchill j who had lately been appointed Secretary of State for the Colonies. The telegram was as follows : “I have to-day received from His 1 Majesty the King the seals of the Colonial Office. As my first act in my new capacity, I desire to extend to you my most cordial greetings and to express the earnest hope that in close co-operation with yourself and the other Statesmen of the Oversea Dominions, I may lie successful in drawing still closer the bonds that unite us and in contributing to the solution of the urgent, orohleins of Empire with which we now confronted. I look forward to meeting you in June. (Sgd.) AY inston Churchill.” Air Alassev said he had forwarded the following reply, through the Gov-ernor-General: - “I thank you most heartily for your kind message transmitted through His Excellency the GovernorGeneral. In reply 1 desire to express to you upon your assumption of the seals of the Colonial Office, the congratulations of t-ie Government .and people ol New Zealand, and to reciprocate very warmly the cordial greetings contained in your telegram. T shall at all times he most pleased, along with the other representatives of the self-governing Dominions. to join with you in everything which will make stronger the ties uniting the countries of the Empire more closely together, and also in assisting to the best of my ability to solve the many serious problems which it is necessary to deal with, not only- at the sittings of the Imperial Conference, but also during the periods between the meetings of the Empire’s representatives in London. T convey to you the good wishes of New Zealand in your new and important office.” Mr Massey said that Mr Churchill had undoubtedly made mistakes, hut ho was a man of extraordinary ability and energy, atul telt certain that he would co-operate in making New Zealand the great country it was designed to he. Referring to the visit to England, lie said he would have greatly preferred to remain in New Zealand, as there was much work to be done here, hut the cables he had received showed that there was important matters to be considered at the Conference. VISIT 3’o REEFTON. REEFTON, Fob. 18. The Premier arrived at Reefton at 10 this morning, received .deputations, was entertained at luncheon and left nt 1 o’clock for AVestport. *