HON. MR MASSEY.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1923, Page 1

HON. MR MASSEY.

PRESS F. NOON I IMS. HUSTItABIAN AMD N’.Z. ('ABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, December 19. The majority of the Provincial papers mark the' occasion ol Mr Massey s departure with linal interviews and appreciative notices of his service to the. Empire. The "Times ” bases a leading article on a lengthy interview with Mr Massey oil the subject of the continuity of Imperial policy. It staled; "On the eve ol the departure ot Mr Massey, the veteran Prime Minister of New Zealand has shot'll that he shares, ill some measures, uneasiness at the late of the resolutions ol the Coiilerenee. I his feeling is intelligible in the circumstances, though we trust and believe that the fears will prove to be unfounded. The resolutions ol the late coiilerenee einbodv. io Use -Mr Massey s own words, the considered deliberations ol the Eninire in council. They are no I the work of tin* Home OovortiniOnls onlv, or the Dominions’ Governments, hut of the slatesineiiof the Empire. .Mr Massev, in "The Times," says:

declare it will lie lamentable, and a calamity, it the promises indicated In tin' Dominions arc not fulfilled. Ibo moderation widi wliicli lie speaks adds weight to his proh'sl against the evil which lie seems to eolieeive In he possible. He rejects the ttild I all; ill soul fpiarteis about the supposed consequences ot the failure ot the Mother Country to keel) her promises, but he confesses that New Zealand would be loiielv and disappointed.'’ The ''Times" concludes: "We do not believe any English Party would think of giving subsiamv to the alarms of Mr .Mass;"- and (loncrnl Smuts..

The "Daily Telegraph" says:—‘.Mr Massey will leave behind a la roe circle of friends in the private and political world. Ili:s eoiitribulions to the deliberations of the Imperial Conferences have been a valued feature ol those periodic assemblies, lie lias shown himself a strong advocate ol Imperial preference, and is the bead ol a (>ovcrnincnt which lias always stood for trade with the Mother Country before trade with foreigners. At the recent conference lie made a favourable impression by bis broad outlook, and bis speeches throughout the country were sympathetically received. Dn the f|uestion of Imperial communications. Mr Massev lias eoiieoiiuatcd on better and faster ships for mail and passenger service.” It adds:—Mr Ala-scy was fa rewelled at ilie station by a large gathering of New Zealanders and llritish official rcpresental ives. and was cheered. He ha- received numerous invitations to "peak in Canada. The " Daily Chronicle ’ says: "The British electorate lias liown many times that the chance ol carrying r< tariff is small. Britishers have also some ground for a grievance, ior "lien ih,. meiiihei's of the Dominions raise this issue, they make internal trouble for us. It would he much more harmonious if the topic were ruled out in the fill lire conferences by consent.

M A>SEY DKPARTS. LONDON'. Dee. 18. Air Afassey departed from Waterloo for Southampton to eateli the Aquitauia. He --pemls nearly a week in Camilla to complete otit*tamiii»jt negotiations with the Oovernmeni and reaches New Zealand ai tlie end of .lanmirv. lie was iarewelied by a large gatheiing of New Zealanders. The llritish Oover'nmeiit wa> represented by Sir Chapman of the Boan. of Trade. LONDON', December I>. In a ,statement Afr Massey said that although lie was compelled to return home, leaving a situation of uncertainities regarding the fate of the Conference's work lie imped before he reached New Zealand to receive news encouraging the belief that the Conference's decision would not he jeopardised. He felt- confident that much had been done to strengthen the bonds ot Empire. He expected quicker mails after the New Year. He had been urged to increase immigrants, but ten thousand a year was the limit.