SIR JOSEPH WARD AT HOME

Grey River Argus, 26 April 1911, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT HOME

iNTERVEiWED ON IMPERIAL DEFENCE. ' WHAT BRITISH TAXPAYERS HAVE DONE. ■ -■■■ " *''•■' •■'«•■ MARVELLOUS GROWTH OVERSEAS. ;By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.) (Reed 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, April 25. bir Joseph Ward arrived in London to-day. •• . - : y He was interviewed on the question of Imperial Defence. He endeavoured to emphasise that it is the desire of all portions of the Empire to do their part towards the defence •f tMe Empire. There was an impression in some quarters that his suggestion might in some way weaken tEe local autonomy of the various •parts of the Empire. But. he strong ly opposed the lessening of the local powers of any portion... Indeed; he favored increasing ratßerthan dimin ishing tHeir powers. He was riot oblivious of the extraordinary protection all the overseas dominions had received/ through the British taxpay er in the maintenance of a spowerful navy. At the same time he could not shut his eyes to the fact of the marvellous growth ' and yearly increasing national value of the Various portions pi the Empire, and which necesitated a review of the whole system of control and organisation with the view of 'improving and strengthening it beyond its present position.

fßecd 1 9.30 p.m.)

LONDON, April 25.

Sir Joseph Ward continuing said he emphasised that' the future will prove the vast British • interests developing in the Pacific would require tar more attention from :he naval standpoint than 'appears necessary at present. The New Zealanders were level headed and practi:al and in nowise jingoistic, but they shared the desire of all within ;iie Kiupire to ensure the perpetuation of peace. To that end the Motherland and the oversea dominions reo.uued to be made so powerful that should any military spirit arise elsewhere the due recogntion of the supreme power of the navy would make for peace. ; :

This would be incomparably of great er financial value to tke .yhole vcild tQan the result of trying conclu , ions agamsi cLe Empire's navy. The full development of the Empire's L«vy is to create such an admittedly si uid position. It must encouater many " difficultes, but at the conference wheh had been summoned the difficulties equally with the advantages may fully and freely .be discussed. He was convinced that (he advantages largely predominate. What was wanted was some ultimate system to increase the strength up lo a point at which to ensure that the growing interests of the scattered Empire would fc'e peacefully conserved, and in the event of war that the outcome would be placed . beyond all doubt. He paid a tribute to the keen ness of New Zealanders for their Imperial sentiment of their love of •the Motherland.

LONDON, April 26.

Sir Joseph Ward continued

He hoped that the difficulties in the, way of Sir Wilfrid Laudier attending the conference would be over" come, as his absence would be a calamity. He dwelt upon the gratify" ing 1 increase of New Zealand's trade, and added that New Zealand stands for trie old flag and a white country, an invincible Imperial navy, with ;.n adequate share •of responsibility,' the extensoh of trade within the Empire, and representation on an Imperial Council. - r