PRESENTATION TO SIR JOSEPH AND LADY WARD.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 29 October 1901, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO SIR JOSEPH AND LADY WARD.

[PEE PBEBB ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Oct 28.

Thora w.i6 a large gathering of railway men representing the Wellington, Napier, and New Plymouth sections and members of Parliament at Petone on Satur. day, the occasion being the presentation of a handsome silver tea and coffee service to Sir Joseph and Lady Ward as an earnest of congratulations of the railway employees with Ward on the occasion of his knighthood.

The Premier said the situation was unique, because they had as Piemier an ex-railway mm |who looked back with pleasure' io the time when he was in the service of the Victorian Government, as a railway employee. Experts and distinguished visitors to the colony had told him that the constructive work which the New Zealand railway employees were doing, was equal to anything done in the Old Country, aud e>rcn Americans had admitted that in carriage building they (the Americans) had something to learn. The public were however the best judges and they would testify that our management and administration was equal to anything in any other part of the world. It wouUl bo a pleasure for railway mon to know that their services were appreciated. They also felt that they had been honored, through the Minister of Railways who had received the distinction of K.C.M.G. from the King. Sir Joseph Ward was the first Minister of Railways who was a knight throughout the Colony. The feeling expressed was that the honour bestowed on Sir Joseph Ward in recognition of his great services to the colony and the empire.

Sir Joseph Ward, who was loudly cheered, said he wished to thank sincerely those who had deemed him worthy of such a handsome present. He fully recognised the responsibilities of railway men, and as Minister he would not be doing his duty if he forgot the men and boys who in their various spheres were really making it possible for the Minister to carry out his work. It would be his pleasure to see that the men received adequate pay, and he was also pleased to

be able to say that his experience was that the railway men ■were always open to acknowledge a fair thing. While the classification of railway servants might * not be all they desired, and while the

Government was open to receive suggcstions from the employees, they must remember the Government was surrounded with financial difficulties. Still reasonable recommendations would* receive consideration. It was pleasant to know that the honour conferred upon him carried with it the good will of the people.