CIVIC WELCOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1919, Page 5

CIVIC WELCOME.

TO RETURNING LEADERS. PATRIOTIC NOTES STRUCK* By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last NightMr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward wcra tendered a civie reception to-day. When Mr. Massey arose there waß loud applause, mingled with hooting from a hostile section. The Deputy-Mayor thereupon appealed for order, at which the booing burst out afresh. Mr. Entrican then announced that he would ask the police to remove further Interruptors. (Applause and uproar.) Mr. Massey was then able to make himself heard. He thanked the citizens of Auckland for their hearty welcome. Sir Joseph Ward and himself had just returned from representing New Zealand at the most momentous gathering the world had ever seen. "We have given our best in your interests," he declared, "and not unsuccessfully." The Primp Minister spoke of the pleasure that he and his colleagues felt in being back to share the anxieties of the people and to do their level best to get conditions back to normal. "Our anxieties have been lessen by the coming of peace," he continued, ,! but our responsibilities have not been lessened, and our first duty is to make this peace worthy of what it has cost, worthy .of British citizenship, -worthy of the sacrifices tnado by our soldiers, and' worthy Of the brave men who died for us."

In conclusion, Mr. Massey said he had been working |o put down the enemies pf Britain, and he would not stop now. He believed there were some enemies of the Kinp and Empire in New Zealand, and, atnid a good defil of noise, he indicated that he wouldi give hia attention to the disloyalists.

Sir Joseph Ward was also given a very cordiftl reception. He emphasised the importance of the Peace Conference, and said that, although there were many Varied opinions as to the value of the decisions of tho conference, a vast amount of valuable work had been done, especially considering the different countries represented. In New Zealand, us in all other countries in the world, pe»t after-war problems had arisen. We were now in a different ern, The conditions prevailing five years ago had gone for ever as a result of the war, and the time had arrived when all rightthinking people in the community should assist the. authorities in finding solutions for these post-war probloms and in forming measures for the development of jtlie country's resources, so'that the welfare of the whole community would be assured The people of New Zealand would surely have tlm common sense to recognise the, fact tho.t the problems needing attention were too urgent to permit of petty bickerings. New Zealand should go on from one prosperous condition to another—a home for free men and free women for generations to come.