PRIME MINISTER WELCOMED AT PALMERSTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2337, 4 October 1921, Page 3

PRIME MINISTER WELCOMED AT PALMERSTON.

Upon the arrival of the Auckland* express at Palmerston N. yesterday, conveying the Prime Minister to Wellington, a large crowd of citizens gathered on the railway station to welcome Mr Massey on his return from the Imperial Conference . The Mayor (Mr J. A. Nash, M.P.), with Mrs Nash, and supported by representatives of local bodies and associations and members of the general public, greeted the Prime Minister, as lie stepped on to the platform from his carriage, with three hearty cheers, which he smilingly acknowledged. A brief welcome was then extended to the Premier by the Mayor.

In reply, Mr Massey thanked Mr Nash for his welcome on behalf of his fellow citizens of Palmerston N., and for his complimentary remarks regarding his efforts t.o solve the problems connected with the binding together,,of the widely-flung parts of our great Empire, to which with the other delegates lie had applied himself diligently. He assured them that he was glad to get hack home, not that that was a reflection on the Old Country —he liked London, and had good reasons for liking it —but ho liked New Zealand better. At previous conferences the overseas delegates had been warmly received but this last occasion had beaten all records. The conference had been held this time during the currency of the London season, and the most difficult part of their duty had been to avoid the overwhelming hospitality of the people of the great metropolis. He had gone Home to do what he could to consolidate the Empire, and in that connection he had given of his best, and was glad to think that he had been of some little use in doing that important work. However, his first duty would be t 6 report to Parliament —which had sent him on his' mission. He* wished to impress on his hearers that at the Imperial Conference all the different matters in which this country was interested and made for its prosperity had been discussed. Commercially, matters were improving at Home, although they had certainly been passing through a very bad time. In New Zealand they had not suffered anything like the commercial depression that England had gone through, and their lines had been cast in pleasant places by comparison with the slump at Home. Financially, New Zealand was sound —there was no doubt about that — and lie was certain that the present depression would not remain long with them. They had weathered one winter successfully, but next winter, lie predicted, they would be well along the road to prosperity again. This depended upon the purchasing powers of their customers, which were chiefly the English markets. This purchasing power had undoubt-' edly been affected, but it was regaining strength. They wanted money for the development of the country, and there would not be the slightest difficulty in getting it. . Mr Masscv then shook hands with

i number of those present, and then limped on to bis train as it was novitig off, to the accompaniment of nore cheers..