SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1820, 5 August 1913, Page 6

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

HIS WELCOME,

MEETING IN THE TOWN Hi(LL.

NON-COMMITTAL SPEECH.

Sir Joseph Ward arrived from Auckland by the express train yesterday, after liis trip to England, and his first welcome from Wellington, or rather from Parliamentarians at present assembled in Wellington, was at Palraerston, whither a band of members of the Opposition party went to ineot their erstwhile leader. They travelled down in the train with him, along with two other well-known supportel's of the lato Government. Sir John Findlay and Mr. D. J. Nathan. At tne station a large number of people had assembled, and when the train stopped Sir Joseph Ward was invited by members of the Reception Comiuitteo to speak from a small improvised stage on the station platform. First of all Mr. J. J. M'Grath called for cheers for Sir Joseph Ward and Lidy Ward, and a party of Maoris, led by Te Heu Hcu, the Taupo chief, greeted Sir Joseph Ward in the Native fashion. Mr. J. Eeid, chairman of the Reception Committee, then accorded to Sir Joseph Ward a hearty welcome. Sir Joseph Ward was greeted with cheering again, and more Maori demonstration, when he stood forward to speak. He thanked tho people for their kindness in coming to givo him such a cordial welcome. Ho said ho had had a very good holiday, and had cotae back restored to robust health and in good spirits. Last of all, there were more cheers, and the crowd sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Pleasantries and Compliments. A demonstration of welcome had been arranged to be held in the Town Hall in the evening, the large hall being filled. The platform was occuby members of Sir Joseph Ward's party in Parliament, and other well-known supporters of the party out of Parliament. The Waterside Workers' Band played Sir Joseph Ward to the hall, and kept tho crowd entertained until the speeches commenced by playing a few pieces of music. Tho Mayor of Wellington, Mr. J. P. Luke, presided. Sir Joseph Ward had, he explained, been speaking at wayside stations' down the line at frequent intervals during the night, tho early morning, and the day, so that ho did not feel disposed to mako a long speech. In actual fact he spoke for forty minutes, and his talk was about oddments of information ho had gathered by observation at Home, about the goodness and greatness of New Zealand, and about his own pleasure in returning to it. The Mayor's Welcome. The Mayor, in welcoming. Sir Joseph Ward, said lie thought they were all assembled' to give Sir Joseph Ward a right royal Wellington welcome, lliey wore going to welcoino Sir Joseph Ward because of himself ami his family, and becauso of the great v/ork he had don© for the Dominion. They were that night sinking all political (inferences in their welcome. Mr. Luke went on to refer to tho rise of Sir Joseph Ward, who, starting as a Civil Servant, soon felt that he had within liim tho foundation of a statesman. From tho day Sir Joseph Ward was elected a member of Parliament thero was no looking back for him in his political aspirations. (Applause.) It was not long before it was recognised that Sir Joseph Ward should be amongst the leaders of tho then Government. As Postmaster-General ho laid the foundations of work which had been recognised and copied in many different parts ot the world. As Mayor of the city, Mr. Luke assured Sir Joseph Ward, ho ■ had tho hearts of the people in the welcomo extended to him. iho great question of Imperialism had been advanced by tho utterances of Sir Joseph Ward, who had made for the building and binding of the British Empire. This Imperial idea was demonstrated by the Dreadnought gift. (Applause.) Ihe Mayor concluded by again assuring Sir Jc-seph Ward of tho heartfelt welcome given by-the people of Wellington. What He Had Seen. Sir Joseph Ward was received with loud and prolonged cheering and the singing of "For Bo's a Jolly Good Follow," followed by three cheers. The Maoris also showed their glee in their own way. He thanked the Mayor for the compliments paid to him which, he said, were altogether too eulogistic. He had visited many parts sinoe he had been away from New Zealand, and every where he had found appreciation and a sentiment of admiration for this wonderful little country, and what it had, done for itself and for the Empire. He was proud of his countp - , ana exceedingly proud of the magnificont roe-option accorded him. Ho spoke of his excursion in the aeroplane, which is to bo the property of New Zealand, and his humorous acconnt of the incident raised cheers and laughter. He believed, ho said, that tho aeroplane was one of the triumphs of science that was going to play a great part' in the history of the world. When tho New Zealand machine came out here a skilled man should como out with it to instruct others here. He wished to give his opinion very emphatically against the statement that the British people wore a decadent people. At present they were enjoying an unprecedented era of prosperity. He believed it would be a. glorious thing for all if the interchange of commodities between cur country and the Motherland could bo mado as free as possible. There were men on both sides of politics at Homo who looked forward to a eloper union of the Motherland and the dependencies, with a loose autonomy, in tho hope that a more oerfect system of trade interchange might be consummated. Under this union it would bo impossible for the dependencies to be required to enter with tho Motherland upon a destructive war without first being consulted through a proper authority. Then would the colonials become in firuth citizens of tho grand old British Empire. He hod seen tlie Parliamentarians of the Old Land at work. and lie lwd mentally contrasted them with the men of our Parliament. There wtre great intellects in tho Home Parliament, but it was stiLl true to say that after making proper allowances for'tlie youth of this country our Parliamentarians carried on the debates as well as the men in the Parliament at Westminster. (Applause.) Ho had also been able to observe the industrial and Fecial conditions of the people in England. and they did not compare with those in existence here, The experience had more than ever convinced him that the Ovov?rnm.->nt of this young country should do all that was possible to prevent the occurrence of conditions here approximating to those of tho Old Land. 0 Comparisons in Our Favour. He had been convinced, too, of the nee?cqifv for seDarating functions of the British Parliament which relate to the safotv and preservation of the Empire o'.s a who'le from tho?e connected with the daily requirements of the British Isle*. Such would entail the establishment of an Empire Council, in which the representatives of the Dominions could be heard. He was very proud to be ablo to say that he,, along with others, had on his last visit bflen able to cause people to think udou this very important question. (Applauds.) ■Referring to public life Sir .Tosenh Ward said that the Mayor of Wellington presided over the destinies of a city which was better than four out of five of the cities of the Older Land. The tramway system here was better than in nine out of ten towns in England, while their electrical and lighting appliances were unknown in many of the towns of tho Older Land. A voico: Did you inquire about the price? Sir Joseph AVard: I don t know anything about the price. (Laughter.) I wm not paying for any of it. Proceeding Sir Joseph Ward said that in every part of England lie found New Zeolanders. In his visits to different parts of tho Old Country he found »ront curiosity about the social life of this land, and in particular with reference' to the working of woman's suffrage. He invariably asked to bo excuscd on this subject, but said that all classes here took a grep.t interest in tho politic.il life of the land. Ho wanted those in New Zealand to remember. that far-off fields were not always the greenest. He advised them all to 'stay in this country and improve it.

Tliero was room for men of all shades of political feelins to combine to make legislation preventing any of the evils existing in the Old Country from ever existing here. In onp instance in England, said tile speaker, a man with o. family of three was getting 14s. Gd. a week. Ho (Sir Joseph Ward) tried to persuade liim to throw up his job and come to New Zealand, but he stuck to his work. Would they find this in any part of New Zealand? A voice: It would not pay for the rent. Sir Joseph Ward: If they had hero tho system of cottages and homes for the workers that they have in the Homeland it would bo tho better for tho worker. A further inaudible interjection oame from the same quarter of the hall. Sir Joseph Ward: I am glad my friend! tho largo landlord agrees with me. (Laughter.)

Defence and Party Politics, Continuing, Sir Joseph Ward said that he had canio .back convinced that the question of defcnco should bo removed from tho clans of party politics. They Would never get the best system if they were going to make it a party question. Neither would they get the best system in England if they were continually coinc to make it a question of party differences, and appealing to the passions of' the people on the great question of preserving the Empire. Another important matter was tho question of the finance of this Dominion. This should not bo brought down to tlie piano of party politics as it had been for years. (Applause.) It was too essentially important to the daily lives, to the trader, to commerce, and tho merchant princes, and the development of the public utility requirements. To mako this great question a question of political disputes was wrong. Tho two great questions- of defenco and finance should bo raised to a higher plans. We oliglit to have tho most complete confidence of our country, and knowing that there was about .£300,000,000 or more every year set loose for investment, it was a mistake to suppose that wo could not get money in London. There was a tendency now for the market to get easier, for thero was an enormous amount of new money ooming on the market for investment. And tho productive capacity of tho country was such that he thought we could, with confidence, get over the temporary disability many people wero now suffering throughout New Zealand. (Applause.) Still a Private Member? "During tho eight months I have been away from New Zealand," ho said, in conclusion, "I haven't attempted to follow the public lifo of the country closely, becauso I was very happy, and very proud to bo enjoying myself away from the responsibility connected with it for a time. Now, lAen I have come back, I find on all sides smiling faces of men and women ready to help this country. I find tho Parliament actively engaged—and I believe thero are somo differences of opinion —(laughter)—upon what they believe to bo tho legislative requirements of this country. In the course of a' day or two 1 will join tho ranks as a private member—" A voice: As Leader. (Loud applause.) Sir Joseph Ward: "To assist ray brother members as far as one can- —" A voice: tut Massey out. , Sir Joseph Ward : "To help onward and forward this beautiful Dominion under the Southern Cross, which I believe you will all bo content to remain in, and which I am proud to be back, in to join with you in helping .its onward career." (Applause.) The audience roso and sang, "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and tho Maoris gave thoir excellent, demonstration again. A flashlight photograph of the crowd was taken, and then Mr'. J. Reid called f<yr cheers for Lady Ward, who was still in England. Sir Joseph Ward acknowledged the compliment paid to Lady Ward, and also he thanked tho members of tho Waterside Workers' Band for having played him to tho hall. Ho asked tho audience to endorse this by acclamation, and tho acclamation was forthcoming. ' After the meeting at tho Town Hall Sir Joseph Ward, in company with tho members of the Liberal party, returned to the Parliament Buildings where a party gathering took place in the Opposition Whips' room. It is understood that attempts were modo during tho journey from Palmerston yesterday by the Liberal members to induce Sir Joseph Ward to indicate his ■ intentions ' regarding tho leadership of tho party. Neither then nor since his arrival here, however,' has lio said any more than lie said in Auckland on this subject. Sir Joseph .Ward will probably pay a visit to his constituents shortly, and it is stated that it is unlikely that ho will make any dofinite reply regarding the leadership until after that visit.