PRIME MINISTER’S DEPARTURE.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1923, Page 3

PRIME MINISTER’S DEPARTURE.

GOOD WISHES FROM. LIBERALS. .MOST IMPORTANT CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, Aug. 28. The Prime Minister was obliged to say good-bye to Parliament to-night before it had completed its business. The proceedings were very informal. The House had been several hours slowly passing the Supplementary Estimates. A little more expedition, tni they could have been cleared beioro the hour of Air .Massey's depart ire. However, largely through one number having heated words with a Minister, whom he cross-questioned at » very opportunity during consideration of the Estimates, the debate was so j iolonged that shortly before 9.39 the member for Palmerston asked the indulgence of the committee to make a suggestion that they should adjourn for an hour to enable members to see the Prime .Minister off bv his steamer.

Mr Wilford, in expressing agreement with Ibis enurse, said it would be heartily approved liv those sitting with him. At the beginning of the session In' moved an ammulmeut to the Ad-dress-in-Reply, staling it was the opinion of his party that while the Prime Minister should go to the Old Country, the House should nevertheless complete the necessary social legislation, even if it had to he done in his absence. That division was lost bv three votes, consequently he it'll hound to obey the majority and accept the position. The Prime Minister was leaving for what was probably the most important eonierenee in the world, one so fraught with possibilities for the eeonomie prosperity ol the Empire, so pregnant with possibilities with regard to peace, that it was fitting New Zealand should lie represented by its Prime Minister. On lie-hall of the Opposition he expressed a wish that the Eeonomie ( niilerenee and Imperial Conference would bring about all the good results wished lor, but having read the speeches of the rank and file in the Parliaments of other parts of the Empire, lie could see that tile diMietllties would lie ticmendous. in wishing the Prime .Minister lion voyage, lie Imped .Mr Massey would he able to carry out New Zealand s aspirations, and that he also would carry a message of loyalty from this part of the Empire second to no other part of the Empire whatever. Political dilicrences existed between the party he represented and the Government. There was no dili’erenee in their loyally t,, King and country. .Applause). Mr .Massey, in thanking Mr Wiliuril for his kind wishes, said he hoped sineerelv that lie would be able In-lore lie came back to tin some liule good tor the country and for the Empire. Persoimllv, said the Prime Minister, no

would have preferred not to leave New Zealand at present. He had hoped to finish the present session before bis departure, bill be had promised to get aboard ship as early that evening as possible. Regarding the conference Mr Massey said one could not an! n ipple what would take place, lie believed villi the Leader ot (lie (Ipnosition tbat the coming conference was going to be the most important Imperial (ottler-,;n-e yet bel l. Upon it might depend the welfare of the Empire and the countries of the Empire lor many years

Mr Wilford: Even the pi-arc oi the world.

Mr Masset : Even the peace of the world. Ii was fraught with sigiiiliranrr, he reminded members, that the personnel of Hu- ronl'ci cnee had (hanged ami that he had become Us

senior member bv reason ot tin- tart that the Other- who alien.l.-,; previous eolil'ereiici-s had disappeared ir-nn tin-

stage. and all were new members except General Smut- and hiim-ell. -Mr Alassev declared he woe going In do his, best at tie - outi lem." and lie km '■ i ■; - --i i 1 \ we ! i (Lai behind bun wthe people ol N-.-w Zealand, titan whom there were no more loyal people ill any part of the British Empire, tn representing I hem lie stood tor a

m rung, united Empire, and as far as he was aide be would do everything be po-sibly could tu .strengthen the tie keeping the Empire together. He expeeled in he hack in the Dominion inside six ninnlbs, and lie hoped then to find New Zealand as prosperous as she was to-day. and the people as happy and anniented.

.Mr Massey couchided, amid applause iu which Itefoi iu and l.iberal members joineil. He then left after a few handshakes. and within half an hour the Tahiti had left AWllington for San Era nci* ro.