NEW ZEALAND DELEGATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1919, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND DELEGATES.

HONORED IN LONDON. VIEWS ON THTS PEACE TREATY. ' By Teleeraph.—Preu Assn.—CoDyrleht Received June 15. 10 p.m. London, .Tune 14. Mr. Mabsey and Sir Joseph Ward were entertained at luncheon by the High Commissioner, prior to ■kheir impending departure for New Zealand There was a very large number of New Zealandera and others present. Mr. Massey's health was proposed by Sir Cathcart Wason, M p , formerly of New Zealand, and Sir Joseph Ward's by the Hon. Pember Reeves Referring to the work of the Peace Conference, Mr. Massey said that unfortunately many diverge issues were dealt with in the early stages, thus causing many delays, but much important work had been done. It had to be remembered that world-wide alterations of boundaries and settlement of varied claims of over a score of nations could not be accomplished quickly and give complete satisfaction. A stage of inn portant developments had been reached, and within a few days the German delegates would be compelled either to sign or refuse definitely and accept the cpneequences. He felt certain that in any case the people throughout the Empire would courageously do tie right thing in any circumstances. .Ab regards Samoa, New Zealand would have preferred the British Government to have taken control, but this was impossible under the mandatory system. Therefore, the next best thing was for Zealand to accept control and make sure that Samoa would never again be jucder a foreign power. New Zealand, h> felt sure, accepted the responsibility without Imitation, and would do its best to imK the islands prosperous and the inhabitants contented. He believed in the future of New Zealand, and, with its dependencies, it 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 felt confident that the people would do their share in any crisis that might arise. British people everywhere must take up energetically the policy of development and become independent of other nations for 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 carry the burden. These were: (1) Enormously increased production; (2) the determination to ntJf £ rectionß ,not hitherto contentplated. It was to be regretted that some oi the great men at the Peace Conference were very often misunderstood as U> what they were really doing in extraordinary difficulties The general feeline was that we were not going to lo«e the war by having a bad peace —Official.