OUR MINISTERS AT HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1916, Page 5

OUR MINISTERS AT HOME.

[MR. MASSEY AT THE GUILDHALL. I RECEIVES FREEDOM OF CITYj i Auslralian-N.Z. Cable Association. London, Nov. 6. There was a large assembly in the Guildhall to witness the conferring of the Freedom of the City on Mr. Masspy. A detachment of New Zealanders formed the guard of honor. At the entrance the Lord Mayor and Alderman received Mr. Massey on a dais, on which were all the High Commissioners and overseas agents, Lords Desborough, Lord Balfour of Burleigh, Mr. Bonar Law and Earl Grey. Mr. Adrian hillock, the City Chambcrjliiiu, in presenting the Freedom of the City to Mr. Massey, said he was tho third oversea Premier to receive the honor since the outbreak of the war. Mr. Massey had played a magnificent part in the present crisis, and New Zealand had made heavy sacrifices in the great cause, The corporation offered a warm welcome to the brave soldiers present at the ceremony. They were typical of the splendid fighting force which had upheld New Zealand's honor in Gallipoli, Egypt and France. Mr. Tolloqk quoted General Hamilton's and Sir Douglas Haig's appreciations of their services, and referred to the battlecruiser New Zealand and the brilliant services she had rendered in the battle of Jutland. He handed Mr. Massey the Freedom of the City enclosed in a gold casket. Mr. Massey, replying, said that as r>. citizen of the Empire he gloried in the work New Zealand had been able to accomplish and the brotherhood established between the different parts of the Empire. After the ceremony at the Guildhal! the Lord Mayor entertained a large number of New Zealanders at luncheon at the Mansion House. These included Sir Jci-eph Ward, Sir T. and Lady Mackenzie, and other distinguished guests. The Lord Mayor, in proposing the health of the guests, said that Mr. Massey had thrown the whole of his high ability, great energy and determination into seeing that New Zealand should bear her full share in Empire defence'. Mr. Massey, in reply, said wc were not fighting for aggrandisement, but for the honor of the race to which we belong He paid a tribute to the splendid prowess of the Allien and thanked the women of Britain for the Red Cross work, which had been a great advantage to every part of the Empire. He especially thanked the British women for their kindness to our boys. 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 the City of London on the people of New Zealand. People who live among mountains are generally gifted above others with high national ideals. His recent visit to New Zealand confirmed this theory. Tho Lord Mayor, in returning thanks, said he had visited Salisbury Plain and had been struck with tho magnificent cheerfulness of the Australasian soldiers. MR. MASSEY'S CONFIDENCE, Times Service. London. Nov. *(i. During the conferring of the Freedom of the City of London upon Mr. Massey at the Guildhall, New Zealand soldier*) filled Gie gallery and shouted their warcry. Mr. Massey said the war had reached the mest dangerous phase. He considered that the enemy particularly the infantry, was becoming demoralised and it was unquestionable we were .winning, but it was vital to put our heart, soul and strength into keeping up the reinforcements of men and the supply of munitions. If we fail in cither it will be a blunder worse than a crime, leading to the dragging on of the war indefinitely, and the forcing of an inconclusive peac". He believed the Empire would last to the end of time, and that London would always be the capital.