MR. MASSEY.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 May 1921, Page 5

MR. MASSEY.

WELCOMED IN LONDON. DISCUSSES WORLD PEACE. ANGLO-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP. By Telegraph,—Press Assn.—Copyright London, May 27. Lord Liverpool presided at the Aus-tralian-New Zealand Club’s luncheon to Mr. Massey at the Hotel Cecil. There were 250 present, including Sir James Allen, Mr. Amery, of the Colonial Office, Sir Eric Geddes, General Godley, Sir Henry Galway (ex-Governor of South Australia), Sir William Herries, Lord Islington, the High Commissioners, and Agents-General.

Mr. Massey, replying to the toast of his health, said he was glad to see Australia and New Zealand associated, as their interests were identical.

“If,” said Mr. Massey, “the occasion ever arises and it is necessary to defend ourselves, we stand ox; fall together, but I do not think we shall fall.”

He hoped the relationship between the League of Nations and the Empire would be dealt with at the Imperial Conference. If he had to choose between the League of Nations and the British Commonwealth of Nations he would choose the British every time.

Mr. Massey, in the course of an interview, stated that personally he still hoped Britain and the United* States would combine to keep the peace of the world and prevent war. The best minds of both nations favored a mutual understanding. In that connection he welcomed yesterday’s resolution of the United .States Senate. Though there were difficulties in the way a solution was possible, but the Senate' must recognise the -fact that the Empire’s very existence depended on the maintenance of sea communications.

He reiterated the opinion that the Imperial Conference ought to be held in the Dominions as well as in London in order to give statesmen of the United Kingdom better first-hand knowledge of the Dominions and their aspirations.

SPEECH AT THE WELCOME. EMPHASISES DOMINION’S LOYALTY. PROTEST AT SHIPPING FREIGHTS. Received May 29, 5.5 p.m. London, May 28. ijk. Massey is the first overseas Prime Minister to arrive in London for the Imperial Conference, and to this fact is probably due to some extent the exceptional interest taken in his presence in London. Almost all the principal papers published accounts of his arrival and reception and subsequently interviews on New Zealand affairs.

The greeting tendered to New Zealand’s Premier was most enthusiastic at the luncheon given by the Australian and New Zealand Club, at which there was an attendance of at least three hundred. In addition to the cabled names those present included Generals Sir lan Hamilton, Henderson, Fabian and Ware, and prominent New Zealanders, including Sir Joseph Ward and Sir John Findlay. Mr. Massey, who was greeted with cheers, spoke for three-quarters of an hour on New Zealand and Empire topics. He outlined what had been done by the Repatriation Department. Dealing with finance, he said the Dominion was prosperous—probably more so than any other part of the Empire. He had information that last .year’s surplus was over £*6,000,000 and though Customs and income-tax revenue must be expected to fall he did not anticipate—with economies made, a substantial reserve and carry over—any difficulty in making ends meet. He gave details of hydroelectric undertakings, the progress of railways and works generally, the provision made regarding unemployment, and what had been done for immigrants. Mr. Massey contradicted the ideas prevalent in some quarters that many citizens of the Empire were inclined to separatism or republicanism, of which he could find no signs in Canada or Australia and certainly not in New Zealand, where 99 per cent of ‘the population was enthusiastically loyal. He was proud of his British connection. He laid emphasis on the complaints of Dominion producers being exploited by the high shipping freights,' which, he said, if allowed to continue would lead to trouble. He hoped the Imperial Shipping Board would be able to do all expected of it in this direction. Mr. Massey, who is now in vigorous health, was in his best form. His speech evoked frequent applause and cheers at the conclusion. The Press has given prominence to various portions of the address.—Special to Press Association. MEETINGS OF PREMIERS. PROPOSAL TO CHANGE THE VENUE. Received May 29, 5.5 p.m. London, May 27. The Daily Chronicle, commenting on Mr. Massey’s speech, says there are obvious inconveniences in the suggestion that two out of three meetings of the Imperial Conference should be held overseas, for any Dominion ca-pital would be less central than London for most other members of the Empire, but the proposal that the Conference should be held in the Dominions from time to time is worth consideration. Such visits would be aft instructive to our statesmen as they would be convenient to some Premiers. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.