LORD MACLAY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4808, 9 February 1925, Page 3

LORD MACLAY.

SERVICE TO NEW ZEALAND.

PHIME MINISTER’S. TRIBUTE.. ;

An-appreciative reference .to the forthcoming visit of Lord Maclay to New Zealand was made by the Prime Minister on Thursday.

•T see that Lord Maclay’a arrival in Australia has been reported recently in a Press telegram,” said Mr Massey. “I have noted ■with a great deal of pleasure that ho is including the Dominion in his 'present tour. The mention of Lord Maday recalls to my mind the splendid! work which he did for New Zealand, during the anxious times of the war period, in which he held the responsible post of Shipping ■Controller. One of the most difficult end complicated questions which the ■ Government had .to deal with at that time was to ensure a regular and sufficient supply of shipping in order to carry our produce, so .much needed by the Imperial Government for army purposes by our kinsmen at Home, to the other side of the world. While our people were loyally responding to the call io men, and in production to keep the country going, their efforts world have been largely rendered of : little avail had the means of transportation not been adequately provided. In fact, this was of vital importance to New Zealand, situated so far from the chief theatres of war; and from the United Kingdom. In ensuring for New Zealand a regular supply of ships throughout a most trying period, the Dominion owes a special debt of gratitude to Lord Maclay. At all times, and especially'when I was in London in constant communication with the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Food, I received the most valuable assistance from Sir Joseph Maclay. as he then was. In this it is only right to acknowledge also the valued co-operation of Sir Kenneth Anderson and Lord Inverforth. All three gentlemen proved themselves good friends of New Zealand in those dark days, and I hope that Lord Maclay’s tour will be the forerunner el visits from each of the others. I often think that the importance of a first-hand knowledge of the various countries of the Empire, such as can J5?My be obtained by personal visits and intercourse, is not sufficiently appreciated by public men at Home. T have never lost an opportunity of ■stressing this point on the occasion of my several visits to England in recent years.” “I think,” added Mr Massey, “that Lord Inverforth has already been in New Zealand many yeans' ago, when ' he was known, more particularly in shipping circles, as Mr Andeiw Weir. ■ I sin sure there is no necessity for me to bespeak a very cordial wel- < coriie to Lord Maclay, and 1 hope he -■will thoroughly enjoy his stay in the •Dominion.”