SIR JOSEPH WARD.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 355, 26 April 1911, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

ARRIVES IN LONDON. j INTERVIEWED ON IMPERIAL QUESTIONS. tiy Te'.cirnirih.— Pres- Association.—Copyright Received April 25, 8.10 p.m. London, Yesterday. Sir Joseph Ward has arrived in i London. Interviewed on the question ; of Imperial Defence, he emphasised the desire of ail portions of the ! Empire to do their part. It was the i impression in some quarters that his I suggestion might in some way weaken ! local autonomy in various parts of the • Empire. He strongly opposed lessenI ing local powers in any portion; I indeed he favoured increasing, rather i than diminishing them. He wa3 not : oblivious to the extraordinary protec- ; tion all the overseas dominions had ; received, through the British tax- | payer in maintenance of a powerful | navy. At the same time, he could | not shut his eyes to the fact of the | marvellous growth and yearly increasi ing national value of various portions j of the Empire, which necessitated a ; review of the whole system of control j and organisation with a view to I improving and strengthening it be- | yond its present position. Sir Joseph | emphasised that the future will prove that the vast British interests developing in the Pacific .require far more attention, from a naval standpoint, than appears necessary at present. New Zealanders were levelheaded, practical, and nowise jingoitic, and showed a desire that all within the Empire should insure the perpetuation of peace. To that end the Motherland and the oversea dominions required to be made so powerful, should any military split arise elsewhere. Due recognition of the supreme power of the navy would make for peace. Thi3 would be of incomparably greater financial value to the whole world than the result of trying conclusion against the Empire's navy. A full development of the Empire' navy to create such an admittedly splendid position must encounter many difficulties, but it was at a conference such as had been sunsmoned that difficulties, equally with advantages, may be fully and freely discussed. lie was convinced the advantages largely predominate. What was wanted was some ultimate system of increased strength up to a point which would ensure that the growing interests of their scattered Empire should be peacefully conserved, and in the event of war, the outcome placed beyond all doubt. He paid a tribute to the keenness of New Zealand's imperial sentiment, and love of the Motherland. He hoped any difficulties in the way of Sir Wilfrid Laurier attending the conference would be overcome. His absence would be a calamity. He dwelt upon the gratifying increase in New Zealand's trade, and added that New Zealand stands for the old flag, a white country, and an invincible imperial navy, with an adequate share of responsibility and an extension of trade within the Empire and representation on an Imperial Council.