THE PREMIER RETURNS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4653, 25 January 1924, Page 2

THE PREMIER RETURNS.

WORK OF IMPERIAL CONFERENCEFOOLISH TO REPUDIATE. Mr Massey, Prime Minister of New Zealand, arrived in Auckland by the Miikura yesterday. He was welcomed on the ship by the Acting-Prime Minister, Sir Francis Bell, the Hon. J. GContes (Minister of Public Works and Railways), the Hon. C. J. Farr (Minister of Education and justice), Sir Mini Pomare (Minister of Health), the Hon. R. F. Bollard (Minister of Internal Affairs), the Hon. G. J. Garland, Messrs Glen and Potter, M’s.P-, and others, including a number of ladies. When the vessel got alongside the Mayor (Mr J. H. Gunson) and Mr H. Mackenzie (chairman of the Harbour Board) welcomed the Premier before he landed, there being a large crowd of citizens on the wharf. THE LANDING. Early in the forenoon the news spread that the vessel would arrive somewhat earlier than was previously anticipated, and by 11 a.m. a considerable number of citizens had congregated on the wharf. A few minutes later the ship dropped anchor in the stream. Three launches immediately pushed off from the quay, one being loaded with Ministers of the Crown. Ministers’ secretaries, the inevitable camera men, pressmen, and other political and personal friends. The other launches contained the port medical officer and Customs and poli-.e officials, respectively. As these small craft approached the ship the Premier and his popular secretary (Mr F. D. Thompson) could be discerned, and rousing crier, of “Kia Ora” were raised which were duly acknowledged. After a short delay word was passed that the visitors might safely board the ship, and as the party filed up the gangway Mr Massey genially received them with a warm sihake of the hand. That his safe return caused general pleasure to the community, independent of political significance. was evident from the fact that there were welcomes for Mr Massey even from political opponents THE PICTURE OF HEALTH.” Mr Massey certainly looked the picture of health. His beaming countenance was care-free, and yet behind his alert eyes, which flitted from face to face one could read that he had accumulated much material for future use in the political arena. He hesitated. however, before taking the plunge once more, hut when he consented for a few moments to discuss one or two of the many important questions he quickly got into his stride and was again the astute political fighter. Naturally the Imperial Conference was the all-absorbing topic, and Mr •Massey first of all stressed a point which is not generally appreciated by the public. “The Press,” he said, is quite right in pointing out that the cabled messages of the Conference di'Cttssions were of the briefest desertption.” Such curtailed reports, he continued, could not by any means be accepted as sufficient anid final for the people of New Zealand. “There is a great deal to be said about the Conference,” remarked Mr Massey .significantly, but he preferred to say it at another time. - FATE OF THE CONFERENCE. On being pressed, Mr Massey said that the fate of the decisions of the Imperial Conference —and they were of great importance—depended upon the Bi itish Parliament. The election had, of course, altered the outlook considerably. "It is impossible to say wat is going to happen,” he declared.

“But,” said the Press representative, “you concede to the British Parliament the power toi ratify or reject the recommendations of the Imperial Conference just in the same way as yon concede it to the New Zealand Parliament, or any other Dominioi Parliament ?”

“I certainly do concede to the Birtish Parliament that right, and even more so, because it is the senior Parliament of the Empire,” replied Mr Massey

"What do you anticipate will be the fate of the Conference recommendations whne the Labour party assumes control ?”

“I am thinking of our recommendations now,” replied the Premier. “Of course, we made certain recommendations to the British Government—that is. the British Government that wn s —and these must be passed on to the new Government to consider what will be done about them. If they are reiudiated it will be a very foolish thing to do from an Empire point of view; nobody ■will deny that.”

WHAT WE GIVE GREAT BRITAIN. “What do you say to the charge that the Dominions are demanding preference without offering a quid pro quo ?” “What do I say to that!” blazed the Premier,® who for the moment seemed to forget he was on the upper deck of the Makura and not pn the floor of the Lower House. “What do I. «ay to that! We give nothing in return ! Why, we give them preference on 425 articles that are imported into New Zealand, and we spend nearly the whole of our money on them !”

“What is going to be^the future in reagrd to Singapore ?” "Again,” said Mr Massey, “that rcT.s entirely with the new Government at Home. Work has commenced at Singapore, or, at all events, they are already committed to a certain amount of work there. But the Government may turn it down.” “SOMETHING ACCOMPLISHED.

“Whatever the political situation in Great Britain,” said Mr Massey, "it wculd be extremely regrettable if anything were tor cancel the promises made to the Dominions, and thus, in effect, undo the Work of the Coinference. The principal functions of the Conference were to consider the best methods of developing the British countries overseas, to assist in removing the industrial depression which Great Britain is now experiencing, to consider, the defence of the Empire

(particularly naval defence), to Xt in arriving at a solution of the present difficulties in Europe, and .-. nn . c particularly to fix finally Jhe amount of reparation to be paid ? Germany, and generally to stre °^ h ®W : the ties that keep together all Bn,t- - ish countries. - ‘Tn my opinion the Conference accomplished something in the direc- , tion of each of these aims. The recommendations adopted will tend te st’-engthen the ties which keep the ‘ Empire intact. The present uncer- < tainty us to the position shows the 7 lined for placing the Imperial Conference (or whatever it may be called in the future) on a more pratcical ami businesslike footing. Whatever th-? outcome may be, there will be question as to the loyalty of Zealand,” concluded .the Premier. 'Vf AN UNANSWERED QUESTION. A nvinber of other interesting ques- ! tuns were put to the Premier, but ■; ho declared that he would deal with them later. When he was asked ■ about the feeling in England that the Dominions should not interfere in , H ime politics, he did not commit himself, passing off the question with a laugh. The Premier was well looked after in Canada, and was given every facility. One of the many facilities af- ■’ forded to him was the placing at his disposal of a carriage for himself and party cm the Canadian railways. This was done on the instructions of the* Government. THE PLUM PUDDING. "Did you bring the plum pudding safely home ?” Che Premier took the query quite seriously. He thought the presentation of the plum pudding was very nice. A Prime Minister had been at the Hotel Cecil on five occasions and had been nice to the staff, and they felt they ought to give him a. plum pudding. That was the senifiment T that prompted the gift. “Yes, I have got it somewhere in my baggage," - added Mr Massey.