Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 85, 7 November 1916, Page 2

Great Britain

RIGHT HON. W. F. MASSEY, P.C.

THE FREEDOM OF LONDON.

“OUR BILL” STRIKES LOYAL NOTE.

Press Association —Copyright. Published in “The Times.” (Received 12.20 p.m.) London, November G,

During the ceremony of conferring the Freedom of London on Mr Massey at the Guildhall, a company of New Zealand soldiers filled the gallery and shouted their war cry.

Mr Massey said the war had reached its most dangerous phase. He considered the enemy, particularly their infantry, were becoming demoralised. It was unquestionable that we were winning, but it was vital that we should put our heart and soul and strength into keeping up the reinforcements in men and munitions. If w -e fail in either, it would bo a blunder worse than a crime, leading to the dragging on of the war indefinitely and to the forcing of an inconclusive peace. He believed the Empire would last to the end of time, ana that London would always be the capital.

A NOTABLE GATHERING.

NEW ZEALAND HONORED.

Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 1 p.m.) London, November 0. There was a large assembly at the Guildhall.

A detachment of New Zealanders formed the guard of honour at the entrance.

The Lord Mayor and Aldermen received Mr Massey on a dais, on which had assembled all the High Commissioners and Overseas Agents-General. together with Lord Desborougli, laird Balfour of Burleigh, Mr Bonar Law, and Earl Grey.

Mr Adrian D. W. Pollock (City Chamberlain), in presenting the freedom to Mr Massey, said he "as the third Oversea Premier who had received the honour since the outbreak of the war. <{l Mr Massey, in reply, < referred pp. the magnificent part in the present crisis which New Zealand had made and to her heavy sacrifices for the •great cause. The Corporation offered a warm welcome to her brave soldiers; -those at the present ceremony were typical of the splendid fighting force which had upheld New Zealand’s honour at Gallipoli, in Egypt, and in France.

Mr Pollock quoted Sir lan Hamilton’s and General Sir Douglas Haig’s appreciations of their services, and referred to the cruiser New Zealand and her brilliant services- at the Battle of Jutland. He handed Mr Massey the Freedom of the City enclosed iu a gold casket. Mr Massey, replying, said that as an Empire citizen, he gloried in the work New Zealand had been able to accomplish, and the Brotherhood which had been established between the different parts o.h the Empire.,, .

DIGEST OF THE SPEECHES,, , After the ceremony, the Lord Mayo.jentertained a large number of New Zealanders at luncheon in the Mansion House, when there were present: Sir Joseph Ward, Sir Thomas Mackenzie, and other distinguished guests. • The Lord Mayor, proposing the recipient’s health, said Mr Massey had thrown the whole of his high ability, great energy and determination into his work. New Zealand should bear the full share of Empire defence. Mr Massey, in reply, said they were not lighting for aggrandisement, but for the honour of the race to which they belonged. He paid a tribute % the splendid prowess of the Allies, and thanked the women of Britain for their Red Cross work, which had been carried out with great advantage to every part of the Empire. He especially thanked the British women for their kindness to our boys, and assured them it would never be forgotten. Earl Grey, in proposing the health of the Lord Mayor, said he was proud to be associated with what was practically the conferment of the Freedom of London on the people of Now Zealand. People who live among mountains are generally gifted above others in high national ideals, and his recent visit to New Zealand coiifhmed that theory. The Lord Mayor, in returning thanks, said that when he visited Salisbury Plain, he was struck - with the magnificent cheerfulness of the Australasian soldiers.