SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2135, 29 April 1914, Page 9

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

SPEECH AT QUEENSTOWN, (By Telegraph.—Prese Association.) Dunedin, April 28. Sir Joseph Ward addressed about 400 people at Queeustown last evening. Ho said he was responsible for the introduction of the whole of tho Territorial Act, and bo was satisfied it was in tho interfcst' of the people as a whole. He was told by some people' that New Zealand should form the nucleus of a local navy and co-operate. with Australia. Ho stated that tho Australian Commonwealth was paying more per head for defence, that the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Italy, United States, or Japan, and emphasised tho importance- of continuing the contribution to tho Imperial .Navy. It was ridiculous to think a navy, could consist of one Bristol cruiser. He asked what the New Zealand "toy" navy would do if the British Navy was smashed? AVhcn ho was in Sydney, Mr. Allen contradicted the statement of Sir Joseph Ward as to the cost of Australian defence, but it was Mr. Allen who was wrong. Admiral Henderson advised the Commonwealth Government that tho' estimated cost would be £25,295,000, while depreciation would amoiyit to £1,240,000, and there were replacements totalling £34,135,000. ■ . If Now Zealand went in for a local navy it must bo efficient. This would moan an enormous cost. The Government was being directly opposed by' all expert opinion. 'Five years from now tho country would bo paying £1,500,000 yearly in connection with navy and land defence. This was more than the whole vote for education, and moro than one-half of the expenditure on railways, "and," . asked Sir Joseph "Ward, "whero is thp money coming from?" Dealing with tho advances to settlers mid workers' schemes established by him, ho said over fourteen millions had been lent to settlers and workers, and loss than £1000 had been lost. Tho "Reformers" were going round the country stating that during their two years in office they had advanced £1,000,000, while in'the past five years he was in offico he had advanced £7.100,000 in loans for settlers, at -I.V Her cent., and £1,700,000' in loaiis to workers. At the conclusion .of the address, in which ho touched on various other political matters, Sir Joseph Ward was accorded a vote expressing thanks fnr his. excellent and highly educative address and pleasure that ho had seen his wny to accept tho leadership ol' the Liberal Party.