PRIME MINISTER'S RETURN.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 195, 30 September 1909, Page 5

PRIME MINISTER'S RETURN.

Sir Joseph Ward is expected to arrive land at Auckland to-day. He arrived by the s.s. Makura. on Monday at Suva, at which place he was to be met by H.M.S. Challenger, and brought to Aucktand. Special preparations have been made to receive the Prime Minister at Auckland, and the public welcome will have the effect of imparting to the function something after the nature of a triumphal return. When interviewed at Suva regarding the Defence Conference Sir Joseph said: "This is the first time any definite scheme for the defence of th* Pacific has been arrived at. and quite aside from the work done at the Conference, the bulk of th*> representatives from Britain and overseas, meeting for the first time on purely defence matters, have arranged a sound basis upon which a naval defence structure can from tim** to time be erected.

The autonomy of the various selfgoverning colonies is necessarily protected, and each will have the right to give effect to its own policy for protective purposes. —Land Defence.In addition to the naval defence work done the reorganising of the land defence system has been very great. The goal aimed at was uniformity in all the self-governing dominions Subject to the ratification of the different Governments a very important scheme of defence was evolved. Speaking generally, the worf« done at the Conference was exceedingly valuable, and when the different Parliaments deal with the matter I look forward to seeing a very much stronger Imperial position *han ever before attained anl established as the outcome of this conference. --Imperial Wirelses.— Regarding the 'Times* * scheme for an Imperial Wireless System. I feel confident that we are approaching wonderful developments in th«* matter of wireless communication. In fact. I know- but probably that is confidential. At any rate the 'Times' * scheme of stations placed in such a position as to make the worlds communication possible, is quite practical and could fee established. - Postal Communication. — 1 moved a resolution for Universal penny postage at Rome. The resolution was defeated, though not by a majority of the people represented. However, it was agreed that written agreements could be made by any countries in the Postal Union, and since then Germany, France, and America have availed themselves. This is the beginning and other countries will do the same. I espresed my belief, and am pleased that my prophesy ha* been already fulfilled by two important countries. No country can afford to stand out of the cheapest means of postal communication.which means an advantage commercially and socially. —Cables.--I am enthusiastic for State-owned cables. Wireless wilt never replace them, unless some genius invents a system to operate by land or sea. The Pacific cable has done a great service, but what is wanted is a complete State-owned route for communication with all parts of the Empire. I wit! endeavour to arrive at Auckland at one o'clock on Thursday afternoon. Lady and Miss Ward and Miss Seddon are well. The Challenger leaves at noon for Auckland."