SIR JOSEPH WARD'S RETURN.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1818, 2 August 1913, Page 8

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S RETURN.

LIBEEALS' WELCOME. (By TelograDh.-Prcas Association.) Auckland, August I. Sir Joseph Ward arrived by tho Niagara from Sydney, and was formally welcomed at tho Star llotei by a largo Liberal gathering. Speeches were mado by t'k>3 Hon. G. Powlds, Mr. A. At. Myers, M.l'. and Messrs. T. W. Leys, T. Lowry, A. E. Glover, W. ,T. Napier, and C. J. Nerheny, all extending a cordial welcome, and expressing the hope that Sir Joseph Ward would be long spared to the people in the interests of the Liberal party. Sir Joseph Ward, in the course of n speech, referred to the Dreadnought gift and other matteri Ho remarked that ho had never attempted to take individual credit for the presentation. It was true that no one had suggested that tho gift of a Dreadnought was a desirable way to help tho Empire at the time, but ho did luive knowledgo of circumstances, and tli.it the occasion was 0110 for the outlying Dominions to show to the outsido world that if a hair of the head of the parent was touched tho younger colonies had to bo reckoned, with. (Applause.) It was his firm opinion, however, that tho great subject of defence of the Empire should be kept clear of party politics, but this was not done by his opponents at last election. Tho vast majority of the people, independent of political opinion, believed that solidarity of England meant solidarity of tho British Empire, and from tho standpoint of protection of all interests, small or great, the one and only thing on sea that kept us right was having tho Empire Navy so powerful that no combination of Powers would attempt to attack it. In the Old Country New Zealand stood in tho highest position. He met leading men on all sides of tho great political world, but never discussed either the present Government or dealt with the politics of this country behind anyone's back or out in the open, on tho principle that in New Zealand thoy required to deal with all affairs in a way that the majority of the people desired. In his view, it was not the general desire of the public that men should go abroad to discuss politics for the purpose of gaining any advantage. In the past ho had frequently to keep things "quiet; lie Iliad in consequence met with very liot criticism, but ho believed the occupants of responsible positions would find they were compelled to do the same if they were going to achieve tho best for the country,