THE RETURNED MINISTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1917, Page 5

THE RETURNED MINISTERS.

WELCOMED AT WELLINGTON. By Telegraph.—Press .Association. Wellington, June 27. Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph' Ward were accorded a civic reception to-day. Mr. Massey stated that thoy had negotiated with the Imperial Government for the produce it required for the people. They had taken up the position that while the producer? were entitled to a fair profit, (hey did not desire to extract the last farthing from the Imperial Government. They had been able to arrange a fair price for wool and meat. Next in order of importance came the cheese, hides and skins. Referring to his visit to the front, he did not think anything more could be done for our men than was being done at present. They were well fed, well equipped, and well looked after generally. The Im)Vrial Conference had dealt with the subject of preference in regard to the customs tariff. Our products had gone into Britain free, but no had the products of enemy countries. There would be changes in that respect in future. He declared that Germany could not have her colonial possessions restored. Dealing with the accuracy of cabled reports of his speeches, Mr. Massey said he had been criticised for a speech made by General Smuts. Sir Joseph Ward said they were working for the continuance of the British Empire after the war. Before tho war, both parties at ITome were against a standing army, with the result that only 150,000 men could be sent across the Channel to check the Germans, tain had now raised an army of four millions. The enemy had discovered ttat the greatest factor in the war was Britain.