SIR JOSEPH WARD'S WORK.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8810, 11 May 1907, Page 2

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S WORK.

A' Proper w^jection.

Press) Association. Wellington, May 10. The following is supplied by Government ! ..:.■ .. ... Londos. May 9. Speaking at the Conference to-day on the motion of Mr Gladstone for uniformity of naturalisation, Sir Joseph Ward said so long as legislation proposed by the Imperial Government did not take away the right of New Zealand to control naturalisation he would not oppose it, but he would not agree to any legislation that would admit of aliens after five years' residence in England being admitted to New Zealand without the New Zealand Government having full ooutrol, He did not wish to reflect on any nationality or race, but New Zealand was a white man's country and he was de.termined to d"> all in his power to keep it so. Ho foresaw that coloured races obtaining naturalisation in England may be admitted in numbers in England and this was a most objectionable feature. He would not consent under any circumstances to suoh a policy. He said New Zealand contained a population of Europeans and Maoris living under the best conditions and circumstances possible, and it was essential for children of European population that they should be kept free from intermarriage with alien races and from contamination of the future race.

The Pacific Question

Speaking on the questien of the British Government guarding the Pacific, Sir Josoph Ward declared that New Zealand is under the shadow of a groat country, the United States, that did not fly the British flag. Though ho was cosmopolitan and had no objection to them as a country, but on the contrary felt most friendly disposed, still future development in the Pacific, the opening of the Panama Canal, and increased traffic betwoen Canada and Australia and New Zealand rendered it essential that the British Government shouicl not delay its efforts to keep a point of vantage in the Pacific Islands. He deprecated the loss of Samoa, which possessed a splendid harbor controlled by another nation. New Zealand had control of a number of tho Pacific Minds, and Britain's policy should be to ensure tho acquisition of the remainder.

The New Hebrides. He urged all matters and conventions being submitted to Australia and New Zealand before settlement by the Imperial Government. He referred to the New Hebrides, and was certain that if the colonies had beon first consulted the position would be entirely different. .

Universal Penny Postage. Sir Joseph Ward's resolution relating to universal penny post was carried after discussion. He urged the British Post-master-General to progress on wider lines and said it was ridiculous that letters cost 2jd across the channel to France, a distance o£ 21 miles, while between England and New Zealand either way it cost

a penny. Sir Powell Buxton agreed with the resolution conditionally that England should not be pressed as to timo of bringing it into> operation and his sympathies were with the proposal. Recent concessions in England had amounted to £190,000, and universal penny post would cause a further reduction of .£450,000. Ho referred to the work of the Postal Congress at JBome in complimentary terms. He hoped Australia would come into line with other portions of the Empire. „

Sir Joseph Ward replied that it was undesirable that the Post Office should be regarded as a taxing machine. Ho was satisfied that recovery of the loss would occur similar to that in Canada and New ' Zealand when both' adopted penny postage.

Differs from Deakin. Referring to Mr Deakin's resolution for surtax of one per cent on all imports into the Empire, Sir Joseph Ward expressed doubts as to the wisdom of such a policy, and preferred the necessaryamount being voted byj Parliament onthe Estimates. To commence with a surtax of one per cent meant increasing it considerably within a limited period, as one per cent would produce only £20,000 a year, and if called npon to join with England and Canada for the purpose of mail services development, reduction of cables, and concessions in canal chaiges, it (would mean 2-J or even 5 per cent. He disliked the system which had, in his opinion, many disadvantages.

The Mintage Question. Sir Joseph Ward supported the proposal of Australia for a mint in Australia for silver coinage, and asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to allow New Zealand to follow the same course if it thought it desirable. He did not think New Zealand was likely to undertake it at present, bvit it wanted the same conditions as Australia. The Chancellor of the Exchequer concurred and said he was willing to concede to Australia and New Zealand independent action if they so elected.