IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1923, Page 4

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

AUCKLAND TRIBUTES. TO .UR AND MRS MASSEY. [nr TELEGRAPH PER TRESS ASSOCIATION'.] AUCKLAND, May 2-L There was a large gathering at Albert Park at 12.30 p.rn., when the Mayor, on 'behalf of the citizens, presented Mr Massey with a handsome illuminated address in recognition of his long tenure of office as Premier, and his valuable services to the Dominion. The address spoke of the Premier’s honesty of purpose, statesmanship and courage in surmounting many difficulties and national problems, and of bis sound judgment, foresight and impartiality in the advocacy of all matters pertaining to the welfare of the people of tile Dominion, and congratulated him on his good -work in connection with Imperial affairs. At a largely attended gathering of citizens to-nigmt, presided over by the Mayor, Mrs Massey was presented with a handsome diaifiond necklace, pendant. Tl’.e presentation was made by the Mayoress, on behalf of the citizens, in recognition of Mrs Massey’s loyal support of the Premier in his public work. In replying, the Premier thanked the donors for their gift to Airs Massey, his partner in life, and the partner ol all his joys and sorrows, who during all his married life, and, during his many years of public life, had never failed with her assistance, counsel and advise, and who had winked in her own sphere r» hard as he had worked in his. He was glad to say publicly that, if lie bad been successful at all, if he had been able to do .something for the country ami 'Umpire, it was largely owing to the assistance and influence cf Mrs Massey.

Alii MASSEY’S REPLY. AUCKLAND, May 24. In replying to the address presented to him by the citizens to-day, Mr Massey said the Imperial and Economic Conference ought to be among the most important of the kind yet held. He felt that, by attending the different Imperial Conferences, he had gained a certain amount of experience which should he of use at the next gatb.eiing. Me was the only Premier of the Km pile still in the position he o's-npied during the war. Mi le could ,!,. miy good, he would be willing to ailend, but that was lor Parliament l i decide. A groat deal bad been done at the iii-st Impel ini ( oiilerem e. He ivf,: disappointed that it bad not been allowed to develop, lie thought it silo dd h eve been allowed Lo continue ,■< an Imperial Cabinet or Council be-

cause by allowing it to lapse, a great deal of' valuable work bad been undone. In brief reference to the selection of Singapore as a naval base in the Pacific. Air Massey said that this decision was of the utmost impoitanco, and worthy of all possible encouragement on the part of the countries which were endeavouring to establish lirmly the Empire in t'is part ol the world. Rather than being a possible cause of war, this decision would proie a great factor fir tile promotion of j'cacp. Warm cheering greeted Mr .Massey and Mrs Massey, and the Premier was again cheered at the con-