MR MASSEY.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1921, Page 1

MR MASSEY.

NAVAL PROPAGANDA. [by telegraph—peb press association] AUCKLAND, April 16 Mr Massey, replying to a Commercial Travellers’ farewell, .said the travellers had played an important part in the history of th© Dominion. There was far greater work for them to do. The Empire had to be kept together at all costs, and only by the answering loyalty of the community could this be accomplished. The commercial travellers, he said, were propagandists. He would like them to impress upon the people that the future of the Empire depended upon naval defence. It was essential that maritime connections should be maintained. The time would come when the Dominion must assist the Mother Country in the maintenance of the Imperial Navy. Their policy must be to do as much as possible. He thought that New Zealand would have and maintain her own naval ships, as protection for her commerce.

A FAREWELL MESSAGE. AUCKLAND, April 17 The Premier sailed for London aboard the s.s. Niagara. Prior to his departure he left the following message for the people of New Zealand: —On the eve of my departure for England to attend the Imperial Conference, to which duty imperatively calls me, I desire once, again to thank the people of New Zealand for the confidence and trust they have reposed in me during the now nearly nine years in which I have been bead of the New Zealand Government. To me it is a source of profound gratification to know that all through and since the war it has been my privilege to represent a people practically united in their loyalty to the tin-one and constitution of great Britain, which has given us the liberties and privileges we enjoy as citizens of the glorous Empire of which we form part, and to which we are all proud to belong. By the conduct and good fail’

of the citizens during the past several years more particularly, New Zealand stands in the forefront of the world’s democracies in its example, and 1 believe 1 am right in saying is a cheer and inspiration also to her sister dominions

and dependencies of Empire. We have won our way through years of unexampled peril and difficulties, and although days of financial stress and trouble, may seem to be coming

upon us I am confident that the same sturdy courage, cheerful faith, and settled purpose that enabled us to carry on through trying years of seemingly

unending war will help us to triumph over tlie lesser worries that may trouble us for a time. Just as a unity of counsels and an undivided front enabled us

to persevere undauntedly through the great world war, so I am satisfied we

can and shall rise superior to the troubles of tlie present. Tlie clouds will disappear and the sun will shine again upon us with undiminished brilliance if we are true to ourselves and exercise that needed industry, thrift, and economy which arc essentials to a quick recovery from the depression

which just at present is casting its shadows over us. By renewed industry and the application of whole-hearted service in the common weal, each citizen doing his and her “bit” to increase

iroduction and rendering loyal service ;o the State wo shall with the Divine

Blessing witness an early return of that prosperity which we have so long enjoyed in the past. 1 leave New Zealand with the fullest confidence in its people and its future. Rejoicing in their loyalty to great ideals of Empire and trusting to lie able to render efficient service as New Zealand’s representative at the Imperial Conference decisions, which are likely to be fraught with momentous consequences to the

future of the British peoples, the world over. I am thankful to feel it may be in my power to further, also, the interests of tlie Dominion which honours me with its confidence and upon which I pray Divine Blessing may rest so that it may indeed be worthy of its claim to be “God’s Own Country.”—h .h ■ Mas-