DOMINION MINISTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 October 1916, Page 4

DOMINION MINISTERS.

WELCOMED AT HOME. » TIIEIR SERVIOES EULOGISED, NEW ZEALAND FLAYS HER PAfIT, I3y Cabie.—Press Association.—Copyright, London, Oct. IS. Lord* Brassey, Islington, Plunkrt, Devonshire and Emott, the four High Commissioners, the Agents-General, Sir James Carroll, Dr. Xewmin, and many members of Parliament were nresent at the luncheon to Mr. Massry and Sir Joseph Ward. When Mr. Sonar Law wag welcoming Mr. Massey and Sir Josapn Ward, he paid a tribute to the services both had rendered to thj Empire, Xho servlceMi rendered by the overseas dominions conlk not be exaggerated. It was not only a question of moral support. They had sent somewhere about three-quarter* of % million troops. But numbers were not the chief characteristic. They had also placed their assets of every kind at the disposal of the Motherland. The war had taught England that in our dealings with the dominion? it was not merely a question of profit or loss, but whatever would add to their strength would add to the strength of the Empire. New Zealand had played her part. Tr. I proportion to her population she had [sent and kept up a strength not in'erioi to that of other dominions, and up to now without compulsion. They knew what she had done at Uallipoli. (Cheers.) Her men not nwrely received their baptism of fire, but with their Australian comrades, proved themselves as good as any troops in history. What they had done would be handed down in history. Referring to Britain's unpreparedncs*, Mr. lionar Law said that she started badly, as she had done in everj war. When history came to be written, the marvel would he the way in which the Umpire had organised itsel!. She had more than equalled the ei;p.my in war ■naterin), and had always heat, hijn in the quality of her men. T.'ie end was not in sight, but the tide had turned and the result was not in doubt. Mr. lionar Law, in his welcome to Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward, concluded by quoting the words nsed in the Anzac service at Westminster Abbey; "We are resolved that our sons and brothers shall not have laid down tliojj lives in vain.' 1 ■ > m. MASSErs sPKEra; Mr. Massey, replying, said that the events of the war had proved to the world and to our enemies that the citizens of the Empire were intensely loyal, and were prepared to prove it by the severest tests. He and Sir Joseph Ward had not come to ventilate grievances. They realised that those entrusted with Imperial affairs were carrying the heaviest responsibilities ever placed on the shoulders of British statesmen. Therefore the proper thing for all was to present a determined and united front) to the enemy, and then, after the war, they could si'ttle any difficulties they might have for the mutual benefit of the community. They had a solemn duty to civilisation and to posterity to see that the blood shed was not in vain. Germany, with her inhuman methods, was not entitled to any consideration. We must go on until the enemy wa* crushed and broken and acknowledged his defeat. Britain was not a decadent nation, as the Central Powers had de*; luded themselves into believing. There were many important matters for post-war consideration. Our industry, energy and ability must be encouraged as never before. Every deserving man must be given a chance to share (he good things of life. After the war something more than mere ties of blood, kinship and tradition would assuredly be required to unite the Empire. Any new ties must leave the Dominions free to manage their own affairs. The ties, must be capable of meeting the changing conditions of the various parts of the: Empire. The Dominions had taken up the burden of Empire and intended to carry it, believing it the right thing, so with wise and statesmanlike, management the units of the Empire would stand loyal to the ideals of the Empire, which must appeal to the most unimaginative.

Mr. Mnssey stated that be agreed with the findings of the Paris Conference, and the sooner we were, prepared to meet the German economic contest the better. He was sure the present generation in New Zealand would not purchase any enemy goods obtainable within the Empire, but it was possi'ble to give preference to each othei and also to open our door to the Allies. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S VIEWS, Sir Joseph iVard Raid lie bad full con» 'fidence in our deteimination to win. The overseas Dominions, by tljeir enormous sacrifices and willingness to give the last man and the last shilling, had a right to look forward to a future place at the Council table. What was required was that the outlying units of the Empire should be merged and placed in a position of advantage, so that they would bo ready to take their part and have their say before the Empire wrc involved in any war. New Zealand strongly approved of the decision of tho Imperial Government To take the Doniinions into consultation when peace was declared and w'hen the terms were discussed. There were many questions affecting the Dominions, and it was only right that the countries contiguous io the possessions captured from Germany should have a voice in their disposition. He congratulated Britain on what had been done to develop the trade policy of Now Zealand after the war, and to impose a . r >o per cent, duty on enemy importations. He was prepared to increase that duty to a hundred per cent, if necessary.

Sir Joseph paid n tribute to the navy's work in protecting the trade routes. The navy, lie said, had saved ns, and though the resources of the Empire had been strain-eu to the utmost, the great sacrifice demanded had been made unmurmuringly. The wai had steadied public life In Now Zealand and strengthened her national character. Sew Zealand's raising a ten million loan wns testimony to the confidence felt by the country and faicli in the ultimate issue. The .war hud brought the ideal of a consolidated Empire much nearer, and lie believed that as soon as practicable it would be inaugurati^- . 'S