MR. MASSEY AT WANGANUI.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1919, Page 4

MR. MASSEY AT WANGANUI.

OPENING OF ART GALLERY. THE COAL POSITION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wanganui, Last Night. The Sargent Art Gallery, which hoi just been completed at a cost of £IB,OOO, was opened by Mr. Massey on Saturday afternoon. It is acknowledged to be one of the finest in this hemisphere, and, to mark the opening, an exhibition, extending over two months, is being held Valuable pictures have been loaned from all parts of New Zealand and overseas A unique feature is the collection of originals of famous war cartoon* from American publications. A verv Hun flight of steps, posting over £15(10, is now in course ofj construction. After opening the art gallery, Mr. Massey received eleven deputations,■ami; in the evening, in the presence of a vcrv m large audience, which gave him an crij • thusiastic welcome, he delivered an adi dress ,_ on the Pence Treaty and its re-; lation to the British Empire. He made a stirring appeal to the present genera* tion to safeguard the liberties of pos- / terity by making sure that, Britain pre' ' sorved her strength to prevent ;i criminal onslaught by other nations. He particularly emphasised the value of the British Navy, which was of more importance t;» Britain than anything else . He also made a strong appeal for unity among all sections of the conuiuinilv. A house divided could not stand, neither could a divided nation. Pending ilie development of the League of Nations, the best brains and sanest statesmen were required to make such adjustments ns were rendered necessary by the changing com . ditions. In reply to a question, Mr. Massey saict that the coal position had much improved. It had been hoped to resuuii the normal train services in a fortnight* but if'the miners persisted in their "go slow" policy the trains eould not resume. It all depended on the A T ew Zealand miners.