SIR JOSEPH WARD AT THAMES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14983, 2 June 1914, Page 7

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT THAMES.

(r&ESS ASSOCIATION' T_I.ECR.iK.) THAMES, June 1. Sir Joseph Ward addressed a crowded." meeting in the King's Theatre to-night, despite tho fact thnt rain fell steadily all the evening. Tho Mayor (Mr H. • Ixowe) presided. The Leader of tho Opposition received a splendid hearing, his remarks being constantly punctuated with -ipp.au.so. His speech was on ' tho lines of others he has delivered ifi different parts oi tho country. In referring to the suggested 'electoral reform lor tho cities, lie said tho people should know at once what was proposed, and how long they wero to bo given to adapt themselves to the change. Referring to finance. Sir Joseph again repudiated Mr Massey \s statement that the Treasury chestswero depicted when the Reform Government camo into office. He stated that there was a balance of £807,276 lacredit. This had been shown to be so by .Mr Allen in his first Budget, and. had been upheld by tho -'Otago Daily Time.s."

At the conclusion of the speech Sir Joseph Ward received an ovation, the applause lasting for some considerable time. On the motion of Mr F. 11. Ciaxton (ex-Mayor), tho following resolution was carried by acclamation, amidst a scene of enthusiasm.:—•"That this meeting of inhabitants of Thames thanks Sir .Joseph Ward for his interesting arid inst motive address, and oxpresses its confidence in him as Leader of the Liberal Party in New Zealand, and trusts lie will secure a majority at next election. '■