STRIKING TRIBUTE TO NEW ZEALAND PREMIER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2321, 27 August 1921, Page 3

STRIKING TRIBUTE TO NEW ZEALAND PREMIER.

A FAREWELL ceremony

London, August 23,

Eight hundred people attended a reception tendered by Sir James Allen to take farewell of Mr Massey, ilic gathering including many Imperial . notabilities, Agents-General, and Now Zealanders.

Lord Morris, on behalf of the Imperial Fleet Committee, presented Vie Massey with a suitably-inscrib-ed New Zealand flag, to commemorate the presentation to New Zealand of the aeroplanes Britannia and Nottingham. Sir James Allen said Me Massey had represented Nevv Zealand *v.ell at the Conference, and be wished him God-speed.

LORi > MILNER'S APPRECIATION

LoM Milner, in supporting, said he knew Mr Massey as the mos'

stattach, sturdy, and consistent of Imperial statesmen, and one fu ways knew where one could find tom on fundamental questions. The •'•vee-f-,orr of Mr Massey’s statesman.-mp had always been consistency to-

wards the closer union of the Empire, and Mr Massey had puvtrfui!v contributed to its attainment. Amid many things that were mad den lug and perplexing at the present time there was one thing that

had gone eminently right, and tnal was tho recent meeting of the Imperial Conference. lie could see m this meeting of the heads of various nations within the Empire, .-ltting with equal status, the germ. <>t an Imperial constitution. That there must, be a constitution was certain, but it need not be a thing del.berareiv framed or embodied in an Act of Parliament. Mr Massey was a true interpreter of the spin’ '■'£ " Zealand. Lord Milner added that in no parr, of the British world did tli-- fire of Imperial patriotism burn with a clearer flame than in that distant Dominion. He wished Air Massey many good years of service.

NO anxiety for future. Mr Massey, replying, said the results of the Conference dispelled any anxiety about the Empire’s future. The. sentiment of British citizenship was never stronger or more, satisfactory than al prese.ut. The Dominion had also given prool in most practical form flint it was willing to take a fair share oi the responsibility. Empire was the strongest factor for peace, and it was their business to see Hint its power for good was not interfered with, but made ready to protect it, Citizens of the Empire must see that no injustice is done to wcaket nations.