New Zealand’s Part.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1922, Page 4

New Zealand’s Part.

(Lyttelton Times). The circumstances under which the Prime Alinister assured the British Go- ( vernment of New Zealand's support il t tho trouble with Turkey should develop - into actual hostilities have been hud before Parliament, and we have no hesitation in saying that the people ol the Dominion will completely endorse the action of the Government. The appeal from Air Lloyd George happened to reach Air Alassey when lie and some of his colleagues were.at Government House. After consultation it was there and then decided, without a f< r,nal Cabinet meeting, to inform the British Prime Alinister of New Zealand’s readiness to help. Air Alassey knew, of course, that his full Cabinet would confirm this, and he knew equally well that the Government would be backed hv the Parliament, and tl.o people. Under these conditions, the amendment moved in the House by the Labour was futile as well as unfortunate.

Of course, the Liberal Party did the right thing. Nothing could have been finer than the speech in which Mr AA ilfortl seconded tbe Prime .Minister’s mo tion. He endorsed the action of tin' Government anil assured the Prime Minister on behalf of his party the fullest assistance in its power in fulfilment of the pledge that has been given. AVe need not enlarge upon this, because no other attitude was possible for the Liberal leader and the Liberal Party. It is, however, interesting te note'how history has again repeated itself. Some thirteen years ago the Mother Country reached a naval crisis. The German licet was known to he growing at an alarming rate and constituting a grave menace to the Empire. Competent authorities reported that very large additions must lie made to the British Navy.

Hardly had this startling news been (lashed to New Zealand when the then Prime Minister. Sir Joseph AVard, offered, on behalf of New Zcalnd, subject 1o the ratification of Parliament, to represent the Mother Country with

a battle-cruiser, or two if necessary. We all know the effect of that prompt

and spontaneous action. We can .recall how it .thrilled the .wholeof jfche Empire and sot other parts o! it thinking; in the same generous, patriotic Strain. Iho battle-cruiser was given and it rend rod distinguished service in the Great. W ar. The point that may he made here, however, is that the value of this gift was enormously increased hv the spontaneous manner of It. And s:> v.e think is the cable message which 31 r -Massey despatched to Mr l.lnyd George last .Saturday n : glit. The effect upon all thinking people, upon our'kith and kin within the Itmpire and upon allies, neutrals and enemies, must be strengthened by the fact that there was not a day’s hesitation —that New Zealand’s response to the call from the Motherland was immediate and unequivocal.

Vi’c should like to add our tribute to that of Hie Liberal leader, for we are certain that Mr Mas-iev, in a moment demanding sound judgment, did the right thing in the right way. The objection raised by Mr Holland that be should first nve consulted Parliament is bardlv worth considering. Every Prime Minister knows that lie is subordinate to the will of Parliament, and occasions arise when In' must act quickly and take whatever risks may oxist of disapproval by the .Assembly. On this particular occasion was no ground for the slightest suspicion of doubt in Mr M assay's mind that the Parliament would endorse his action, which, of course, it did by a majority which Mr Holland’s’ amendment served to show to he overwhelming. Mr Massey’s speech was just the kind of deliverance to he expected from him. He is we can easily realise, as anxious as anybody can he that war may he averted, but he shares with the people of this country the determination that, come what may. New Zealand shall do her duty.