SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1073, 11 March 1911, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

INTERVIEWED IN SYDNEY. | NEW ZEALAND PROSPERITY. ijy 'I'cleffraph—l'ress Association Copyright* (Rec. March 10, 9:45 p.m.) Sydney, March 10. Sir Joseph Ward arrived by the Victoria this afternoon. On being interviewed, lie stated that he had recently trafe»'.ed from end to end of New Zealand, and had noticed a remarkable revival of trado and prosperity. This was not due to any. boom, but to a general revival. New Zealand was experiencing the finest season it had ever had, notwithstanding that in some places there had been a shortage of rain. Thero was a good, supply of money, in fact an over-supply, resulting in a falling-off in rates. Tho division of large estates was proceeding vigorously, and tho outcome of the increased settlement was'tho increased volume of exports, which last year were a record. • • Sir Joseph Ward looks upon tho forthcoming Imperial Conference as the most important over likely to take place, because it will be the means of establishing the base upon which tho Imperial, structure will be erected in tho future. Thoy will have to consider tho conflicting -elements attached to tho self-governing Dominions, but as hopeful men, shouldering responsibility, they will recognise. that unless they go for cohesion, ' though of a loom nature, it will mean by degrees the disintegration of tho Empire. The Women's Patriotic Club gave a welcome "at home" to Lady Ward, and presented her with pieces of silver. Sir Joseph Ward addressed the club, and urged its members to impress upon their sons the importance of maintaining and adding to the strength of the Empire.

INDETERMINATE SENTENCES. (Rec. March 10, 9.40 p.m.) . Syclnoy, March 10. : Dr. Findlay, Attorrtoy-General for Now Zealand, arrived this afternoon by tho Victoria from Auckland. In a newspaper interview, he .explained New Zealand's system of indeterminate sentences, and said they had been the means of warning young fellows who were steering clear of hard work. There were a hundred fewer persons in prison at present in -the corresponding month of any previous year. Tho deterrent effect of the Act was strikingly noticeable.'