MR McDONALD

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1929, Page 5

MR McDONALD

VISIT TO AMERICA. (United Press Association—By ElectricTelegraph.—Copyright.) ;y WASHINGTON, October 3. On the eve of Ramsay MacDonald’s. arrival, there is throughou. America the keenest awareness of tin unusual significance of his visit. OutUniversity .Processor, addressing a meeting, said: ‘‘A profound revolution is being- accomplished in the doctrines and deeds which govern international affairs.” A prominent . official, com meriting, says :"” if is an Anglo American rapproachment to assure the world’s peace,' 1 what need is there for defensive economic barriers between English-speaking countries ? ” . The Foreign Policy Association which is one of the most prominent groups entertaining Mr MacDonald has issued a presis explaining the import of Mr MacDonald’s I 'mission, and it observes: ‘‘ It does not mean an Anglo-American alliance, but a ,world alliance for peace.” >' . ■■ " ' . ,

• One noted-journalist, writing, says: ‘‘ To appreciate the representatives of the two tuitions, one must grasp the . fadfc that the two Commonwealths they represent hold a population of 640 million'people, which'is a vast part of the world’s populace.” • There is also an awareness of the personalities of the two men, and .< everywhere it is stressed that , their conversations must -markedly affect the 'well-being of vast numbers of human ' beings. l It is emphasised thalt they will meet like two unofficial friends, trying 1 to. get at each other’s difficulties. It will 'be as'though any John Smith and Thomas Robinson- were sitting down to talk mattery over in order to get a better uiriderstariding of each other’s point , of .view, and'because it is an informal exchange of opinion, the possibilities of good therefrom are felt to be especially great. It is said : They . meet without the accompaniment olf ambassadors, secretaries of state,; or , ministerial •• adjutants, and therefore conversations should prove of . tremendous valpe. ' The thought, moreover, that Mr MacDonald and President Hoover will retire to the Presidents fishing’ camp in the Virginian mountains,' and there hold their conversations,' has, because of its simplicity of atmosphere, captured Athe imagination of the'American people. r

f ARRIVAL IN AMERICA.

' (Received this day at 9. a m.) - NEW YORK,, October 4. ' Mr Ramsay MacDonald was enthusiastically ; acclaimed as he set' his foot on American soil this morning. The Berengaria was escorted in .by tlie cruisers Memphis, arid Trenton; , ; , A welcoming committee boarded the liner and Mr MacDonald, Miss Ishbel MacDonald / arid party ' were taken aboard the city tug Macom, proceeding to the tap : : : bf'Manhattan Island.’ . A battery of vessels - of all descriptions gave a mighty whistle salute, while guns Fort Jay on Govenmr’s Island thundered 19 guns. When interviewed, he said: “ Tlie United States and ourselves are really making an appeal by example to all nations to gather round a council board of peace so that whilst cherishing their historical past and engaging in all healthy rivalries of genius, skill, and ' Work, they will remember the wider units of human civilisation.” ■ While aboard the city tug, Mr MacDonald answered questions informally and frankly and when asked regarding the reaction of other powers to the British and American rapproachment, he replied: ” If we stood side by side for peace, who would stand against us.”

“ Any mutual understanding reached between our countries will be welcomed. Ajiy contingent thing that makes Europe afraid is the enemy of other peoples. They are not afraid of friendship.”

•MR MacDONALD’S MESSAGE. (Received this day' at TO. a.m.) NEW; YORK, Oct. 4. After Mr MacDonald’s arrival he was g : ven jin official welcome and escorted to the City Hall where he was presented with the Freedom of the City. The crowds that lined the streets to obtain a glimpse of'the Prime Minister were not, as ■numerous as those which welcomed the trans-Atlantic airmen, but nevertheless were obviously sincere and preferred warm greetings!

.Mr. MacDonald issued a statement saying: “At the moment of’mv arrival when 1/greet my hosts. His Majesty has honoured me by telegraphing his good wishes for the success of my mission, which I feel instinctively is to have a benefit far beyond the boundaries of .pur. two .countries.” •

MR MACDONALD’S STATEMENT

NEW YORK, October 4

Mr MacDonald., said in the course of his statement to the newspapers: “You almost make me afraid.: by the boundless hospitality you seem preparing for me. I hope J can he equal to your kindness. The problem of armaments is full of hidden difficulties and a patient working at • tho details in an atmospheric of mutual confidence is required to overcome them. I crave judgment from you as generously sympathetic as your welcome is to be generously lavish when I return, and when it is all over I pray I shall leave behind mo some memories which will make it easy for you to think well of Great Britain and be a reason for close co-operation between your country and'mine in the great causes of democracy and