MR WARD INTERVIEWED.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 117, 28 May 1901, Page 1

MR WARD INTERVIEWED.

|N.Z. Herald Special.]

The Hon. Mr Ward is of opinion that the Commonwealth celebrations were splendidly organised, and die was particularly struck with the orderliness of the enormous crowds, and’ the excellent manner in which they were controlled by the police. In this respect he says the local police were quite on a par with tho London force. Altogether ho thinks the celebrations- were a great event in the history of what is destined to be a very powerful country. Mr Ward very truly says that we cannot hope to in any way approach the splendid decorations and | illuminations of the Victorian capital, but he feels hopeful that we in Now Zealand, where the conditions are essentially different, will nevertheless in our own way T be able to give their Eoyal Highnesses receptions and attentions throughout the colony that will not in any way be to our discredit. Mr Ward also spoke most enthusiasticallj’ of Lord Ilopetoun, tho Go-vernor-General. He is in every way a splendid fellow, a man of character, energy, and ability. Personally, Mr Ward said ho could never forget the kindness and courtesy Lord Hopetoun had shown him. Coming to mattors of political import, Mr Ward said ono could not help being struck with the apparently sudden idea of Australian expansion created by the establishment of the Commonwealth. Here was now a Federal Ministry in Australia, the only one in chargo of a whole continent in this world, so that they had before them a splendid and almost unexplored field for the initiation of practical politics upon the side of purely national interests. The importance of this was realisable when one saw the State Ministers acting side by side with the Federal Ministers. There was a distinctly cut line of cleavage between the respective powers of the States and those of the Federal Administration, but, nevertheless, the feeling permeating all classes of politicians was that the summoning of these different States into ono great concern gave rise to a national feeling that portended a great future for the Commonwealth. There could bo no doubt that a grave trust had been given into the hands of the presen Federal Ministry. JfEW ZEALAND AND THE COMMONWEALTH

In regard to the relations generally between the Commonwealth and New Zealand, the impression prevailed amongst many of the leading politicians that our colony is going to be over-shadowed or dwarfed, owing to the natural growth of the Commonwealth, and that in time we will be forced to join them. Mr Ward does not share this idea, and, though it is difficult to forecaste what the future will bring about, he is of opinion that New J Zealand will never join- the Commonwealth under pressure, and if they did contemplate joining Australia it would be because of the voluntary action of our people. Mr Ward foresees that under the new regime there will be a great development of trade between the different States, and this will result in increased population. The making of a trans-continental railway will be another’factor.in adding to the prosperity and importance of the Commonwealth,

iDIFI-'ICULTInS AHMAD, Mr Ward, however, in common with many other thoughtful men, is of opinion that the Federal Ministry has a very difficult task ahead of it in regard to the matter of finance. It has to return 15s in the £ of the revenue to the respective States. This is what has como to be I known as the Braddon plot, and Mr Ward thinks it is not improbable that some of the States may find the 15s insufficient, especially with a falling revenue in a Department that is purely a State Department. For instance, a largo drop in the railway revenue of West Australia, Tasmania, or Queensland would at once be a disturbing influence, and in having to adjust a Federal tariff with these States now, it is quite obvious that such a tariff cannot bo an excessively protective one. Tho composition of the Federal Parliament alone would render such a course unwise, if not difficult of accomplishment. Another thing that Mr Ward foresees is very keen commercial competition between some of the States, Hitherto Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia have had comparatively no competition from New South Wales. Now they will have strong competition. This competition will be particularly strong at first, because of the hugg stocks that are being cleared duty free in Sydney. Every favoring breeze blows into tho harbor thousands of pounds worth of goods that are “ cleared ” the moment tho vessels arrive. If the surplus should prove too great, no doubt some of the goods may be shipped under bond on to New Zealand, so that it is just possible that our consumers may to some extent reap advantages from federation in its earliest stages.

PENNY POSTAGE. I asked Mr Ward what he had accomplished in the way of getting the Federal Post Office to admit our penny letters into the Commonwealth, This was a matter that received a good deal of attention from oiir postmaster-General. Mr Brake, however, finally stated,that it would bo inadvisable to make any exception in favor of New Zealand letters until the Federal Parliament had adopted penny postage. Both Mr Brake, the Federal PostmasterGeneral, and Mr Barton have expressed themselves in favor of penny postage, and stated that its institution was only a matter of time and financial consideration.' There is, of course, nothing very definite in this, and Mr Ward was surprised to find that letters with the penny postago on them coming from New Zealand were surcharged ponce. This, of course, forces the hand of our Government, and Mr Ward now proposes asking bis colleagues to end this anomaly by getting the Post Office to affix the extra penny stamp before tho letters leave New Zealand. It certainly does seem singularly hard that the Australians tbemselvos should bo punished by their Postal Bepartment to the extent of twopence on letters that anyone in New Zealand can send for a penny. This is not the fault of the Australian people, and Mr Ward was hopeful that such an unjust system would have been ended by the Federal Postmaster-General agreeing to let our letters come in. But for reasons given that has been in the meantime postponed. The New Zealand Government are, however, determined that their people shall have universal penny postage. So far 87 countries have agreed to accept our penny letters, even although a great number of them have not themselves adopted penny postage. This makes the anomaly of our letters being surcharged all the more pointed. New Zealanders, added Mr Ward, arc now sending their letters nearly all over the world for a penny, and from force of habit many of them put only a penny on letters to Australia, which, of course, is the correct rates so far as New Zealand is concerned, so that the only way to remove the anomaly, in Mr Ward's opinion, is in the manner indicated. '