SIR JOSEPH WARD

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8357, 18 February 1913, Page 7

SIR JOSEPH WARD

HIS WELCOME TO LONDON. Sir Joseph Ward, the ox-Premier of Now Zealand, accompanied by Lady Ward and his son and daughter, arrived at Charing Cross station last night (says the London “ Standard ” of January 9th). The ex-Premier, who looked halo, and was in _ excellent spirits, was met at tho station by tho Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, High Commissioner for Now Zealand; Mr T. E. Donne, Captain R. J. Seddon (son of a former Premier), Mr Cathcart Wason, M.P., Dr Chappie, Mr Palliser, Mr A. M. Marks, Mr T. H. Hamer,' Mr C. T. Boyes, Mr Alfred Pearce, Mr John Holmes, Mr F. J. Lysnar, Mr P. A. Vaile, Mr William Weddell, and many New Zealanders now resident in London f 1 Sir Joseph Ward stated to a representative that his visit is purely a private one. “My hoy,” he explained, “is to remain here for school. He is eleven years of ago, and the name Awarua was given to him at tho wish of tho Maoris. It means the meeting of two rivers behind the fortification on the hill.” Asked to express his views on the all-absorbing subject of Imperial preference, Sir Joseph replied, with remarkable emphasis, "As far as I am concerned, I believe in it, and have done so for years. It would strengthen the bonds of union between the Mother Country and the oversea Dominions. New Zealand went for preference originally, and under tho Customs tariff gave preference to Britain. My views, indeed, are exactly the same as they were last year. _ I am right out on the question of national defence. In the interests of the Empire, I am standing by the British Navy instead of a sectional navy. I was more than delighted to see what had taken place with Canada; that was on the right lines. This question of defence is, in New Zealand, beyond the range of party politics.” ■ '