EMPIRE FIRST.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1922, Page 5

EMPIRE FIRST.

NEW ZEALAND'S POLICY,

NEED FOR STRONG BAIT,

ATTITUDE TOWARDS LEAGUE., I * By Telegraph.—Press Association'. Wellington, Last Night. A deputation from the New Zealand League of Nations Union to-day interviewed the Prime Minister seeking his support in furthering the objects of the League of Nations Union. Dr. Gibb explained that the union represented every section of the community in the Dominion, and came into existence as a result of an appeal by Mr. Lloyd George, who urged that the churches should stand behind the League. In reply Mr. Massey said: “I ask the deputation not to imagine for one moment that the British nation or any part of it is hankering after war. We don’t want war.” War, however, had been very nearly forced upon them, and Mr. Massey went on to refer to the recent trouble in the Near East, and said the dispute between Greece and Turkey could not have been referred to the League of Nations. The trouble came upon the British Empire like a thunderclap. EMPIRE STANDS FOR PEACE.

He agreed that the setting up by the League of a court of international justice was one of the best and most useful things that the League had done. He could not imagine that any rightthinking man would be opposed to the League of Nations in its desire to prevent war. “We are citizens of an Empire which stands for peace” he added. “We are citizens of an Empire that can do more than anything else to ensure the peace of the world. If it had not been for the courage and firmness of the British Empire in the recent trouble in the Near East the world would have been plunged into one .of the worst wars conceivable. I speak as one with inside knowledge, and I know what I am talking about. I am quite sure that the historian writing the history of the trouble in, say, twenty years’ time, with the full facts before him, will come to the conclusions that will bear out what I have said.”

War could not be prevented until human nature was changed, and he did not believe it was possible for them to prevent war. However, he believed that more would be done in that direction if people set out to increase the influence of the British Empire. They could not trust the League of Nations to prevent war. As far as preventing war was concerned, did the deputation suggest that Britain should be undefended? Dr. Gibb: “We should take the lead and let others follow.” NATIONS MUST ACT TOGETHER. The Prime Minister: “Nations must act together.” The armament conference was suggested in London, and the idea was passed over to America. Great Britain had already done a. great deal in the way of disarmament, and had set an example to the world, but the navy must be kept intact. He was not very strong on land defence at the present time, but he did believe in the necessity of maintaining the navy. If it depended on the British Empire there would never be an'- war.

He was quite prepared to do his part in the way of encouraging support for the League of Nations, but he would like them to understand quite plainly that the Empire must come first. He believed that some mistakes had been made in connection with the formation, of the League as a united body. It was a m’slnke, to his mind, to give the Dominions separate representation, and the nine might come when the various units of the Empire would, find themselves divided on a vital issue. If ever the Empire called New Zealand would be prepared, to do its share. Dr. Gibb: “That means the people of New Zealand?” The Prime Minister: “Yes.” Dr. Gibb: “Well, you would have to put it to the people.”; ACT IN AN EMERGENCY. The Prime Minister: “Any Government worthy of its position will act in an emergency and take the consequences afterwards.” What the Government did on the last occasion that trouble threatened it would do again tomorrow if the necessity arose. He would never stand for those who sought to impose indignities on the British Empire.

Just before the deputation withdrew Dr. Gibb asked the Prime Minister whether he would become patron of the union.

The Prime Minister: “Yes, if you will accept me after the views I have expressed.” Mr. Massey added that he would expect to share in the councils of the union.