MR. MASSEY AT HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1921, Page 5

MR. MASSEY AT HOME.

TOUR OF THE MIDLANDS. EMPIRE TOPICS DISCUSSED. THE TREATY WITH JAPAN. By Telegraph.—Pfmi Assn.—Copyright. Received August 21, 5.5 p.m. London, August 19. Mr. W. F. Massey was presented with the Freedom of Sheffield to-day after a ceremony in the Council Chamber, at which the Lord Mayor presided. Mr. Massey emphasised the value of Imperial Conferences. He said Mr. Lloyd George and his colleagues had done everything possible to meet the Dominions’ wishes, and there was nothing about which we were united and could reasonably ask for which was not granted. Justifying the continuance of the Japanese Treaty, Mr. Massey said Japan was not compelled to assist us, but came to our aid, especially in the Pacific. It would not be in the British character to turn our backs upon those who were loyal in our greatest danger. He would like to see a triplicate arrangement between Britain, the United States and Japan, as he believed it would be for the good of the world. He regretted that the idea of a consultation preliminary to the Washington Conference regarding the Pacific had been turned down.

Mr. Massey was also entertained at lunch by Messrs. Vickers, Ltd., and inspected their works. Speaking at the luncheon, he said it was necessary to strengthen the bonds of Empire. New Zealanders had not failed in this direction in the past, and would not fail in the future. He hoped British industrial supremacy would soon be restored, but he could see lots of competition coming along, and the Empire must put in lots of energy. As regards Imperal preference, Britain was receiving Dominion goods without charging a penny, whereas other countries blocked us by Customs duties. He trusted Britain was not going to open her doors to those who closed theirs against her in order that they might flood Britain with dumped goods. Later Mr. Massey visited Y’ork and thence went to Darlington.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

VISIT TO DARLINGTON. SPEECH ON IMMIGRATION. UNITY OF THE EMPIRE. Received August 21, 5.5 p.m. London, August 20. At Darlington, Mr. Massey received the freedom of the city. In accepting the honor, Mr. Massey declared that the immigration laws of New Zealand were the most drastic in the Empire, because New Zealand did not allow people to come from any country, except Britain, without obtaining the permission of the New Zealand Government. The effect would be that in years to come the people of New Zealand would be more of British stock than any colony in the Empire. Mr. Massey ‘ said New Zealanders were passionate in their demand for the unity of the Empire, and looked upon themselves as British citizens from now to the day of judgment. The Empire must jealously guard its sea power; if connections with the Pacific went the Empire would be at an end.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.