GOING HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1915, Page 4

GOING HOME.

It is reported that Mr. Massey has received many letters and telegrams protesting against liis leaving New Zealand si the present tim*. The eommunica-

tions, it is added, have come from political friend and foe alike. The anxiety oi these people can well be understood, There never was a time in the history of New Zealand when its leading public men were more required here than now. The keeping up of our reinforcements and attending to the hundred and one things arising from our participation in the war are problems in themselves calling for the closest attention of the Prime Minister and Ms lollcagucs. If Mr. Massey or Sir Joseph Ward, or any-1 one else, could do any material good by I going Home at present, we could let our domestic affairs lake their chance and facilitate the departure of our Ministers, but nothing yet has been vouchsafed the public that would justify their leaving. Our Prime Minister, or any other colonial Minister, is not in a position to give any practical help to the Home Government in regard to its conduct of ihe war, The Imperial Government has undertaken to consult the overseas dominions in connection with questions arising out of the war, in which it is considered they should be consulted, and we might well let the matter rest at that. We have as High Commissioner an able man who is as capable of representing us as is Mr. Massey or Sir' Joseph Ward; perhaps he is more capable, for he is in closer touch with what is going on at Home than the Ministers can possibly be, and with the ideas and intentions of the New Zealand Government he can keep the Imperial- Government in touch. It has been suggested that both Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward should make the trip. This to our mind is quite unnecessary. If anyone is to go, then let the Prime Minister represent us, but we believe he can serve the Empire best, and this small part of it particularly, by staying here and devoting his talents and time to helping to solve the difficult problems that are constantly arising. With the end of the war in sight, he can take his place with the other colonial Prime Ministers at the Imperial Cabinet table.