Sir Joseph Ward.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1921, Page 3

Sir Joseph Ward.

LONDON, June 2. At a great mass meeting held in Hyde Park on Empire Day a resolution was passed to the effect that “ London citizens, assembled under the auspices of the Empire Workers’ Council, send fraternal greetings to fellow citizens throughout the Empire; record their conviction that the mainte.nace of the unity of the Mother Country with her Dominions beyond the seas is the surest guarantee for the iipholdftig of world pence, express their belief that Empire unity is based essentially on mutual economic interest, and pledge themselves to work for the closer co-opera-tion between the various parts of the Britannic Commonwealth.”

On the morning of Empire Day it was found that one of the principal speakers at tlie meeting was unable to be present, and Sir Joseph Ward was asked to take his place and to speak on the Empire. Mounted on a vehicle, Sir Joseph spoke for forty minutes to a crowd of 6000 people. TTe seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself He spoke of his experiences in France and Germany, and of what those nations were doing t ; regani their former prosperity, lie ■. cut on the imes that if they were to ensure the peace of the world they -!u ald s*ic!; close to the League of Nations, bet (lie league of Nations would require to be run on practical lines. Finally, be gave bis audience a good idea of the various countries of the Empire, with special reference to New Zealand. Tt was undoubtedly a vigorous speech, nn'd Sir Joseph held h|s audience throughout.