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Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2338, 6 October 1921, Page 3

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MR, MASSEY ENTERTAINED

PARLIAMENTARY LUNCHEON,

Wellington, Oct. 5

A complimentary luncheon wad tendered to Mr Massey to-day by members of Cabinet to mark his return from the Imperial Conference. The function, which was held in the beautifully decorated Parliamentary Chamber, was attended by members of both branches of the and was characterised by cordiality of feeling, both hearty and spontaneous. The chair was occupied by Sir Francis Bell, who was supported on his right by Mr Massey, Sir F. Lang, Sir W. Fraser, and the Hons., Nosworthy, Coates, Lee andSir R. Heaton Rhodes, and„dn his left by the Hon. Carncross, Sir W. 11. Ilerries, Hons. Guthrie, Pomare, Parr, Stewart and Sir Walter Buchanan. The toasts were “The King” and “Welcome to Mr Massey,” proposed by the chairman. Sir Francis Bell, in proposing Mr Massey’s health, said it was as fellow members of Parliament that they had met to greet the great Parliamentarian. Mr Massey’s personal popularity was such that they could all join in wishing him Well, and that popularity had increased as the years went on. It was now nearly 30 years since he first came into Parliament. Speaking without any party or political relation, he thought they all had reason to be proud of the place Mr Massey had made for himself and the Dominion at the Imperial Conference. Mr Wilford t as Leader of the Opposition, welcomed Mr Massey back as the envoy of the Dominion, in doing so making it clear that there was no difference between the Liberals and the Reform members when it came to matters of loyalty and welfare of the Empire. Personally, he was perfectly satisfied Mr Massey had worthily upheld our interests at (he Imperial Conference, and he was perfectly prepared to accept the decisions come to by Mr Massey as the result of hearing the deliberations and counsel of the keenest minds of the Empire. Mr Massey was loudly cheered on rising to reply. He said his first duty lay to Parliament, and he therefore did not intend to touch upon the great Imperial cpiestions discussed at (he conference. He would give an account of his stewardship later on, when he would be pleased to discuss even the smallest details if the House, so desired. He expressed satisfaction at the manner in which the public * affairs of the Dominion had been carried on in his absence. He looked with confidence to the future; pessimism was never

any good to the individual or the nation, and if the people only faced their difficulties cheerfully and courageously there was not the slightest doubt that ere long the Dominion could be brought back as nearly as possible to normal conditions. Speaking of his experiences in Britain, Mr Massey declared that his reception everywhere was the most cordial because he went as, and was regarded as, the representative of a Dominion which was universally regarded as second to none in loyalty to the Throne and fidelity to the Empire. Everywhere he went he preached “Unity of the Empire” —that was the message he carried from New Zealand, and he was pleased to find that sentiment so readily responded to by the people of the Old Country. He strongly appealed for encouragement and propagation of this sentiment, which would enable (he Empire to speak with one undivided voice. At the conclusion of bis speech, Mr Massey was accorded a great ovation.