SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1917, Page 4

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

VISIT TO HIS ELECTORATE. W INTO Nov 10 Sir Joseph AVard, who is on a visit to Southland, arrived at Invercargill on Saturday afternoon, and was accorded a very hearty welcome home. He was met at the railway station by the Mayor and Councillors, and congratulatory speeches were given and reference made by the Mayor to the valuable services Sir Joseph Ward had rendered, not only to New Zealand, but to tire Empire as a whole. Yesterday Sir Joseph AVard paid an unofficial visit to lllviff, and this evening he visited AA r inton. where he received a hearty welcome, the Town Band turning out and playing him to the hall. In proposing Sir Joseph Ward's health at a dinner given by the Mayor and Councillors, the Mayor (Mr T. j AValker) said they welcomed him not only as the member for Avvarua, a constituency he had represented faithfully and well for 30 years, but they welcomed him also as a Minister of the Crown and joint head of the National Government; and as one of the first to represent the Dominion on the Imperial War Cabinet. He had made a reputation throughout the Empire, not only as a great Imperialist, but as a great and farseeing statesman. In the course of his reply, Sir Jbseph Ward referred to the supreme sacrifices that had been made throughout the Empire. Whatever the future had in store, they were not prepared to relax their efforts to win the war in the interests, not only of those of the present generation, but for all those who were to follow. This was not the time when statesmen could give up actual war work to lay the foundation-stone for build ing np the future structure of Enipire, but there was no reason why they should not all think about the important and far-reaching subjects concerning the future relationship between the oversea countries and the Motherland. Our duty was to think Imperially, but at tne same time not to foi’get the ordinary requirements anrl interests of our own people. Problems of a most difficult nature had to be settled and New Zealand would have to apply itself with great determination and fixity of purpose when the war was over to ensure the future prosperity of the country, and there would have to bo co-operation on a sensible basis between capital and labour to produce the best results, He paid a tribute to the statesmen of Great Britain. They had a gigantic task to perform, and enormous problems to unravel.

A public meeting was held in Moore’s Hall later. It was a wit night, but the building was crowded. The Mayor presided. Sir Joseph Ward said the present was not a time suitable for a political address from the standpoint of party politicians, whether they were in the ranks or in a. position of leadership. All they were concerned in was winning the war, so that the freedom of the world and civilisation might he preserved. (Applanse). That was why the National Government had been formed. Referring to the shipping problem, Sir Joseph said it was well known at Home that New Zealand could not live unless she could get Iter products away. He could not give away any figures, but we bad in sight a good number of steamers, and he did not think those in control of the shipping at Home would allow New Zealand to become endangered by uot having- a proportion of steamers to carry away the products of the soil. (Applause.) By the end of March next New Zealand would have raised internally over 50 millions sterling. In regard to the cost of living, New Zealand was the bpst off of the whole Empire. There had been criticism, but-when men and women had been invited to show how things could be improved, they bad not a single practical proposition to bring forward. New Zealand had only a white population of 1,100,000, and, yet if the war were to finish -within” the next twelve months, we would be financially the strongest portion of the British Empire, and w T e would then be able to relax the high taxation the war had made necessary. He and the other members of the Ministry recognised it to be their duty to keep the farms occupied and at work, and would do everything in their power to carry this out. (Applause.) Sir Joseph Ward was accorded a hearty vote of thanks by acclamation, followed by cheers for himself and Lady Ward. The meeting concluded with the singing of the National' Anthem.