WELCOME TO MINISTERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1857, 11 September 1906, Page 2

WELCOME TO MINISTERS.

SPEECH BY PBEMIEB.

PRESS ASSOCIATION Wellington, last night, lee town hall was crowded to-night, when tho oiliEons of Wellington tendered a ’ public welcome to Sir Joseph Ward and the new members of the Cabinet, Messrs Millar, MoNab, and Fowlds. Ministers rcoeiyed a great ovation on entering the building. Sir Joseph Ward, in the course

of a speeoh, said that he and his colleagues claimedjrhat they had nailed their colors to the mast, aud would keep them flying, The historian of the future would describe the policy of the Government as bojid, wide, liberal, and magnetio, intended for the good of all classes. Before the people had an opportunity of judging that pplioy it was somewhat premature of some of their old friends—and he would sooner have an open enemy than a false friend to pass judgment upon it.

Touching upon the chief matters of 0 P? 1 ' 0 ? in the Budget, Sir Joseph Ward said the principle of removing some 5 portions of the public debt had never before been placed before the people in a practical form, though it had been talked [ at) out on many oocasions. Native lands would be brought into occupation in the interests or the Maori owners and of the people generally. Government was tryini? to limit the area of large estates, for the reason that the oouhtry was only a small one and the area of Grown lands m a limited. They did not desire that thosf things which had been such a blot on fJJ annais and records of other lands should exist in this country. It would not be necessary to go to London next year fnr public money. The oolony oonld choose its markets. “ now Speeohes were made by other Ministers and were warmly received, the p ocS A ugs being very ooraial throughout, ” | ” MONDAY, SEP. id,” 1908,