NEW ZEALAND'S FUTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1919, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND'S FUTURE.

PREMIER OPTIMISTIC. INCREASED PRODUCTION NECESSARY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. London, June 14. Sir Thomas Mackenzie presided at a dinner in Connaught Rooms farewelling the New Zealanders.

Mr- Massey said that New Zealanders preferred Britain to take over Samoa. This was impossible. Circumstances were forcing New Zealanders to become great navigators. He believed that New Zealand must be heard of as the most important British island group in the Pacific, making her voice heard amongst the nations of the British Commonw.ealth.

Sir Joseph Ward said the only escape from the Empire's unparalleled financial position was an increase of production. The leaders a,t PaVis were determined not to lose the war by making a bad peace, and fully intended marching to Berlin if necessary. The Times, in a leader, pays a tribute to the work of Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward in the drab, monotonous conditions at Paris, and adds:—"They are casting,, anxious eyes towards ,the political situation developing at home. Patriotic men throughout the Empire are appalled at the idea of a general return to the pre-war divisions. Whether the influence of ex-soldiers will permit the old politiciS landmarks to be washed away by the great wave of war remains to be seen."