SIR JOSEPH WARD’S RETURN.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8836, 12 June 1907, Page 3

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S RETURN.

Interviewed at Perth. Press Association. —Copyright. Peiitii, June 11. Interviewed this morning, ou his return from London, Sir Joseph Ward, asked to state his opinion on the general results of both tho Imperial Conference and the Maritime Conference, stated that in his opinion both conferences had justified tho calling together of tho representatives of the self-governing colonies. In respect to tho Maritime Conference the results affected the Commonwealth more than New Zealand, for the reason that this country already had a Shipping and Seaman’s Act upon the Statute Book that provided for nearly all tho [matters that wore dealt with by the Conference. Some of tho points, however, or general application were dealt with, which were of material interest to New Zealand. The protection of local shipowners, ns well as the officers and seamen, from unfair competition from abroad, together with the assimilation of various rules of practice, where it was possible to give effect to them, were most valuable. He intended to ask the Parliament of New Zealand to legislate in accordance with tho resolutions carried at tho Conference in places where legislation was necessary. It would, in his opinion, have been a good thing had tho Maritime Conference met ten yers ago, for then tiie representative men of England and the colonics might have devised common grounds of action, and so prevented many difficulties that had subsequently arisen. One great good resulting from the Conference follows from the fact that the shipping interests of the United Kingdom and the colonics were brought face to face round a common table where personal discussion and frank interchange of opinion did so much to clear and remove misunderstandings that would inevitably exist where everything was loft to correspondence and despatches. Sir Joseph Ward said the success of the Conference was in no small measure due to tho tact and ability displayed by the Hon. Lloyd George. Where” so many conflicting interests -were concerned the risk of friction was great, and that this did not occur was due not only to the reasonable attitude of the delegates hut equally to the courtesy and judgment of the President. While naturally and properly alive to his enormous responsibilities as the official head of the world wide slapping trade of the United Kingdom, he showed an evident desire to meet the views of the Commonwealth and New Zealand wherever he possibly could. -- _ In reference to tho Imperial Conference, here tho difficulties presenting themselves were in some respects great indeed. It was the first real business conference of representative men from tho oversea dominions that had taken place in England. Former conferences had done good work, but that work was entirely of a preliminary character. Tho practical issues were first dealt with at this conference, tie woulsl _ have greatly liked to have seen preferential trade agreed to by the British representatives. However, he could not shut his eyes to tho position of tho British Government, who were returned by a record majority pledged, among other things, to a continuance of free trade._ In common with other matters of the Conference, Sir Joseph Ward said he had pressed the point that pTefcTeuco was quite distinct from free trade, and could ho given effect to without violating tho principles of that doctrine. The British Govreumcnt, however, were not prepared to accept his view; hence, the most that could be said was that a good deal was douo iu the way of educating public opinion upon that point. The most important step was taken in establishing the Conference as a permanent institution, with the Prime Minister of Great Britain as standing President. The actual constitution of the Conference, its functions, and its machinery for doing its work were left to he settled by a future meeting, and this, iu ins opinion, was a very wise stop. Iu the meantime the machinery would be worked by the Colonial Office. The discussions that took place in couuectiou with the military and naval defences of the Empire pai - ticularly inflation to the colonics—was'of the greatest importance. In respect to naval defence, the views of the Commonwealth differed from those of New Zealand, and Sir Joseph Ward naturally expressed no opinion as to tho course pursued by the Commonwealth, as it was_ a matter entirely for them to decide upon. Now Zealand preferred to continue the existing system under which the whole naval defence is conducted and controlled by the Admiralty, New Zealand contributing upon a money basis. He had explained at tho Conference that they had yet many years for the development of their country to provide for obligations such ns this entailed, and were as much as tho colony was justified in undertaking. He hoped, however, that tho course the Common--wealth proposed to take would turn out to be oue of great success to them.

Sir Joseph Ward further expressed satisfaction that his suggestions m favour of the cheapening of postal and cable rates, and the quickening of mail communications, together with the establishment of commercial delegates representing _ the British Government in the British colonies were well received "not only by representatives in the Conference, but also by the British Government, and lie hoped Jthat practical results would follow. Sir Joseph Ward, iu reply to au inquiry as to tho attitude of the British Government _ at the Conference, expressed himself in high terms as to the courtesy aud consideration extended to all tho delegates by Lord Elgin who most capably presided.

.Time 13. Sir Joseph Ward says: “It is uucu niable that there is great want ot knowledge concerning the _ position of the self-governing dominions, and the development that is taking place in them. I must say that Canada, to some extent, should he excepted for the reason that she lias made advertising an art. She advertises wherever her representatives are to found, and makes a display oi what Canada lias to offer in the way of land and the attractions of employment for workers in a manner which is extremely h oi instance, I visited the Dublin Exhibition, where Canada had a separate court, which was filled up in such a wav that visitors had before them a realistic presentation of wheat fields and dairying lands with cattle grazing on the farm. As the outcome of Canada’s pushfnlncss I saw three or four steamers laden with human freight leave England and Scotland for Canada. The Dominion is better known m England than any other of the scitgovoruing colonics Its comparative nearness to England is also a factor in keeping it before the eyes of the British people. Although 1 must, in justice to our representatives sav they spare no pains to keep" their countries before the public, yet our expenditure in advertising is very small indeed compared with that of Canada. The British people fear that preference woiild raise the price of commodities to the consumer, but in my opinion the rivalry between the colonies tor tne Home market would keep prices at a fair level. Our difficulty in the wav of preference is the belief that Canada, Australia , and * Now .Zealand could not supply sufficient whftit to take the place of that at present imported into Groat Britain from Russia. America, and otnei countries. But I belie.vo Canada ana Australia alone could m a short time, if.thoy had the certainty or the market,’ more tliau supply tlio requiremeut. However, under the circumstances, it was impossible to carry our preferential proposals ,at the recent Conference, but we can hope for better tilings from the next. With reference to the mail service, I advocated an Improved AtlauticParcific service, across Canada to I Now Zealand JJand Australia. My I view was that we should aim at a 20 days’ service between New Zealand I and Loudon—four days across the Atlantic?, four days across Canada, and 13 days across the Pacific to New Zealand. It is quite a common thing for a steamer to travel between London and America at 21 or 23 knots, and I hold that the same speed could be maintained between Vancouver, New Zealand, and Australia, provided the countries concerned were prepared to _ pay a subsidy large enough to induce owners of the class of steamers mentioned to take up the trade. £ would necessitate a subsidy of about £400,000 a year. Although that is*a large sum it could he borne if it ' was divided proportionately between the countries concerned.

Asked - whether would not interfere with the Suez canal service, Sir Joseph plied : “My opinion is thfc it would not. The service I advocate would cause an increase of traffic. Wherever great steamer’ facilities for traffic have been provided they resulted iu such an cJJorinqus mcrta.o of trade that instead of injuring existing lines they have caused the establishment of additional lines to cope with tho traffic. This has been the experience in tlie At^n^ lc rn of course, there is a largo population at the end of the line \Ve and Australia ifinst look forward to a large increase m population in the years to come, and by establishing a most up-to-date. Passenger service wo would be doing much to attract immigrants to our So far as New Zealand is Concerned, we will leave nothing undone to establish such a service. At both ine Imperial and Navigation Conference I advocated the reduction of hu6Z canal dues. The present [high rates have handicapped the .development of colonial trade, caupug the bulk of imports and exports to be Carried round the Cape. It seems to me, ! continued Sir Joseph, monSt?GUSi that tho rates should be so high tug-, ordinary cargo [steamers are almost prohibited from using tho canal. It is possible iu view of the speeches made by the Australian representatives that some alteration Will be made in the near future.”