MR. MASSEY AND SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Taihape Daily Times, 17 June 1919, Page 3

MR. MASSEY AND SIR JOSEPH WARD.

FAREWELL SPEECHES. LONDON, June 14. M 1». Massey and Sir Joseph Ward were entertained at luncheon by the ‘High Commissioner prior to their impending departure for New Zealand. A very large number of New Zealanders and others Were FY9511”. Mn Massey’S health was proposed by Mr. Cathcart Watson, member of Parliament, formerly of New Zealand, and sir Joseph Ward’s health was proposed by Mr. Pember Reeves. Referring to the work of the Peace Conference, Mr. Massey said that. unfortunately many diverse issues were dealt with in the early stages, thus causing many delays, but nificli important. work had been done. It had to be remembered that World-wide alterations and the settlement of -the varied claims of over a score of nations could not be accomplished. quickly and give coniplete satisfaction_ A stage of important developments had been reached and within a few days the German delegates would be compelled either to sign or refusedefinitely and accept the consequences. He felt certain that in any case _the people throughout the Empire would courageously do the right thiiig in any circunistances. As regards ‘Samoa, New Zealand would have preferred the British Governmenf to have taken -ocntrol, but this was impossible under the manclafory system. Therefore the next. best thing was for New Zealand, he felt sure, accepted the responsibility without hesitation, and would do its best to make the islands prsperous and the inhabitants contented. He believed in the future, New Zealand, with its dependcncies, would become a strong British community in the South Pacific. He had no fear for the future so far as New Zealand was concerned, and he felt confident the people would do their share in any crisis that miglft arise. British people everywhere must take up energetically the "policy-r of *=°”J~“«:aw%L

dvelopinent fior their most important requirements. ' Sir Joseph Ward said the Empire. had to meet an unparalleled position as regards finance_ Only two things would help the taxpayer to carryi the burden. "Thgre were (1) enormously increased production; (2) dctermina. tion to save in directions not hitherto contemplated. It was to ibe regretted that some of the great men at the Peace Conference were Very often misunderstood as to what they were really doing in extraordinary difficu]ties. The general feeling was that we were not going to lose the war by having a bad peace.