SIR JOSEPH WARD HONOURED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3921, 21 March 1929, Page 3

SIR JOSEPH WARD HONOURED.

GREAT GATHERING AT INVERCARGILL. Invercargill, Last Night. Probably no greater tribute could have been paid to the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward than the welcome accorded Mm this evening when over two thousand people assembled in the Drill hall on the occasion of a monster banquet. The gathering* was representative of the Whole province and in addition there was a notable representation of Cabinet Ministers.

In proposing the toast of “our guest,” Mr. J. ,C. Thoimson, former Liberal member for Wallace, said that considered from the point of view of public service Sir Joseph Ward ,was .the most distinguished Sou till an der that the province had produced in its history. Within its borders there had arisen a statesman gifted with foresight, initiative, wise discernment, quick judgment and prompt action, qualities always associated with greatness, who for over ,34 years had helped to shape the destinies of our rich and beautiful land.

On rising to reply ,to his toast, Sir Joseph^Ward was accorded an enthusiastic reception. In addressing the vast assembly he thanked those through Whose efforts the banquet was organised. “I think I am right in saying that * any man would realise in these circumstances that anything he had attempted was a mere consequence compared with the pouring out of appreciation that was taking place tonight.” He declared that he h'ad been tongue-tied on taking office when questions and criticisms of seine opponents were levelled. He was not aware that the position of the consolidated revenue was not so satisfactory as it should have been especially as this was an era of the country’s greatest prosperity, lie hoped to mike an announcement of the true position of the country’s finance shortly after the end of the financial year. He spoke of the government’s desire to overcome the unemployment difficulty and 'by closer settlement lie believed the country areas could absorb 5,0(10 or 10,000 more people. The Government’s policy was to complete the productive railways and since taking office it had stopped work on one railway which it was believed would not ibe productive.

'Continuing' he 'made reference to the State Advances, stating that the Government, took offijoe on December 10, and since that date to March 15, £1,617,000 had been authorised to settlers and 'workers at low, rates of interest and there 'was approximately in band now available for settlers and workers £l,600,000, so that those wanting money from those branches had only ro comply with the Alct in having their valuations sent into the board to have thelm considered and dealt with, and where valuations warranted favourable consideration no unnecessary delay would take place. The board could not of course make advances beyond the true value, ,but Sir Joseph said it was wonderful what had ibeen done and was being done by the relief and assistance given irrespective of party. The State Advances had been invaluable.. From its inception at a low rate of interest the Department bad advanced to date upwards of £40,000,000 and was at present proriding funds at the rate of between £6,000,000 and £7,000,000 a - year: "If I allude,” continued Sir Joseph "to the fact That 1 was responsible tor the preparation of both the settlers and workers schemes and introduced and piloted the legislation for both through Parliament anyone would be entitled to a feeling of pride that, over ,a very long series of years of effective operation they have in the teeth of some of the most vicious criticism ever directed against a public man 'been completely successful.” Sir Joseph also touched' upon the question of a direct Melbourne to Bluff shipping service and stated that the matter wias in hand. At present negotiations were under way for the establishment of two steamer services running each way. An important announcement followed in connection .with the national accounts, Sir Joseph stating that the revenue would not equal the expenditure at March 31 and the country would face a deficit. This could he safely negotiated in the coining Year, 'but it meant that the Government would have to have the assistance of the people to equalise the position in the coining twelve iinonths. He had no anxiety about it and he merely mentioned it to prepare the country for the position that would be disclosed by the publication of the statement of accounts very shortly. The railways, he said, were not paying and nothing further would be done in extension of short lines. The Government would concentrate on the long lines and main trunk railways. The solution ,of the unemployment problem lay in land settlement and this would be pressed forward without delay as soon as the Government was in possession of all the facts.