SIR JOSEPH WARD

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1928, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD

ARRIVAL AT CHRISTCHURCH

STJHiCH AT RAILWAY STATION

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

( UR IST( 11 PRC! I, November (5

Looking remarkably fresh and vigorous. Sir .Joseph Ward spoke to an appreciate audience on Christchurch railway station this morning for nearly three-quarters *f an hour. He delivered a strong, extemporaneous speech, "Inch was lreqiiently interrupted with cheers, applause, and cries o'f " You’ll be Prime .Minister.”

When the train arrived. Sir .Joseph was met by the Christchurch executive of the United Party, United candidates lor Parliament and a number of .supporters totalling about fifty. As soon as he commenced to speak a crowd assembled, over two hundred being pres-

in his address, Sir .Joseph scathingly criticised the policy of the Reform Government in respect to land settlement and put forward his own plan on the subject. Loud cheering marked the end of the speech, followed by the singing of

“ E"r lie’s a .Jolly flood Fellow,” and requests that he deliver an address in Christchurch before the election.

“ J’ll he back again.” lie said, “ I want to say not good-bye, just an re voir.”

Referring to his proposed loan of seventy millions, Sir Joseph said his opponents had raised the cry that the money could not be obtained. He had obtained it thirty years ago, and the Domininon had been obtaining it ever since. Now they had the consummate audacity to say that the money-lenders did not like lending money to be relmd in the nominion.

” Human beings make the country,” added .Sir Joseph. “AVliat is the use of standing by knowing that next year we will have thirty or forty thousand men unemployed. Are we going to tolerate a system which denies work to these.men. who want work not charity. They want work at the current rate o f pay. In the policy I have laid down, and which has been supported by my Party, these men will have homes and thev will have work. They will be on land.”

In describing the details ol his land settlement scheme, Sir .Joseph said that he would set aside blocks ol 25 acres not far from the railways. lie would make it possible (for settlers to obtain the needed money at a low rate of interest.

•• 1 Hack to the land ’ should be the cry.” declared the speaker amid applause. “They should be settled on smaller areas than ever before. They would be able to support themselves and families and have their own homes. The oilier people would not require assistance and they should not complain because his scheme would not cost them anything. Unemployment would be stopped and the productivity of the country would be increased. If another 50.000 people went on the land the increase in productivity would bo great.