MR. MASSEY INTERVIEWED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1730, 26 June 1917, Page 3

MR. MASSEY INTERVIEWED.

SHIPPING AND OTHER PROBLEMS. MAIN FEATURES OP TOUR. Auckland, June 25. Speaking of the maintenance of our mercantile marine and the supply of shipping space to New Zealand during an interview to-day, Mr Massey said: “Shipping is the liig trouble of the day, and the difficulty in supplying tonnage is owing to the fact that Britain's mercantile marine is doing double the work it had before (he war. with a smaller number of ships. Trade has consequently been cut down in all directions. New Zealand suffers more than other countries, because if is so far away from the great: markets of t lie world. In supplying foodstuffs, etc., for the Army, we are at a disadvantage when compared with other countries, in that we are twice the distance away from the centre. Countries which arc nearer can fuliil (lie needs of the armies, “ft is impossible for me to go into details at present in connection with shipping, but we have done all that, i- possible to keep trade going, ami our efforts have mot with a certain amount of success. The future depends on the submarine campaign. Once this is overtaken, neutral ships will enter trades which have suffered by the shipping shortage. At the present time neutral ships will not leave their ports owing to the 'submarine warfare. Once this is overcome a change will come. Tin* overcoming of the submarine problem will no doubt take a little time, hut the Germans cannot starve. Britain, end cannot keep supplies from the armies. “Mailer.- which have engaged our attention have been the sale of New Zealand products —such as wool, cheese, hides, meat, and skins. Other questions have been those reluting to New Zealand soldiers, an imperial War Cabinet, and the Imperial Wav Conference: These have occupied a great deal of our time. “As for the end of the war,” said the Prime Minister, “no man can tell when the war will end. All I can tell is that we will go on until wo win. Great Britain and her allies Imve made up their minds on that point. The feeling is exceptionally good, there being no Jingoism or hysteria, but a steadfast delerminaiion to go on until wo can dictate our own terms. “We visited France, and were with the soldiers there for a week. We saw many of the New Zealand troops, but, of course, not all, be-caii-e of the huge area, of ground over which they are posted. They were all in good spirits, cheerful, and eonlidenl. They are determined, and do not want to stop at anything short of a decisive victory. I was glad to notice the esteem in which New Zealand and New Zealanders are held. England is practically an armed cam]). I don’t think there is a centre in which New Zealand soldiers cannot he found,, oil her being nursed back to health or on leave. “While passing through Canada, we had a few days before sailing. We spent these in visiting several of the great Canadian cities. 1 can assure yon British citizenship counts for a great deal nowadays. Wherever New Zealanders put in an appearance they are welcomed." (pics ! io.icd os to Canada's attitude towards the methods of reinforcing the New Zealand forces, Mr Massey said, “Imitation is the sinceivsi llaliery, and in regard to llu supply of reinforcements, Canada has proved that our methods are such that they are worthy of copying. They are doing (here what we i.id twelve months ago." SIR JOSEPH'S VIEWS. Sir Joseph Ward congratulated Sir James Allen and Mr Myers oil the success of (heir administration during the Prime Minister's absence. Sir Joseph said what he had seen in Britain satisfied him that 1 lie war had been \ lie greatest educator and regenerator the Empire had ever experienced. In three years it had solidified the Empire as all the press writing and public speeches in the past had never been able to do. He came home quite satislied that deep down within the mass of the peoplo of the Empire was a determination never to lakh their teeth from the hide of (he enemy until they had “eruellcd” him. He had been quite satislied from the spirit of the wounded men in the hospitals and of the lighting men in the trenches that such was the animating spirit of the New Zealanders at the ‘front. Sir Jo.-eph touched on the achievements of the Empire in arms, men and munitions. “Have no fear of the result of I he war,” lie proceeded. “America has tilled one possible weakness that may have arisen in a year or two, and linaneially the Motherland will he able to see the war right through.” In a speech at the civic luncheon, Sir Joseph Ward said when the war ended we would have to commence to build up a commercial fabric of Empire, which would be one of the most difficult problems that we had to face. As for the United States, they would have to treat that conn* try as if it were part of the Empire. Those who in the past had taken part in the light freetrade v. protection in the Old Country would have to forget their differences! and agree upon a common-sense commercial policy in the best interests of the Empire.