SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 68, 20 March 1903, Page 3

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

PEK PBBSS ASSOCIATION. Sydney, March 19. At a dinner given to Sir Joseph Ward by the Premier of New South Wales, Sir John See, the Utter said that it appeared a most important duty for public mm to do all possible to bring about a closer union of the interJests of the people of Australia and jNew Zealand in the South Pacific generally. The assistance Sir Joseph I Ward had rendered towards the consummation of the Pacific cablo wea a most important and far reaching work. Sir John See paid a tribute to Mr Seddon's work for the Empire. Sir Joseph Ward, in replying, said that the question of tho Empire's trade was a growing one. His opinion was that the war of the future would be a commercial war. He hop=d that any chauges in the control of tbe Pacific Islands would be in the direction of j making tbem self-governing. He was most anxious to s3e them preserved to the Bfitish fiig and had no desire to witness anything like a repetition of the Stm'MD difficulty close to the borders of Australia and New Zoalatsd. He deprecated the recent attacks made by the London Press on the stability of the colonies. j

Sir Edmund Barton, in proposing Sir John See's he»ltb, denied that the tendency of legislation in Australasia and Canada was rcpidly becoming Socialistic. In regard to the Pacific Islands, he echoed the sentiments of Sir Joseph Ward. He believed that the future of tbe island* lay entirely with thos9 who exercieei authority at this end of the world. Troubles like that in Satnoi would not recur while his Government remained in power, or , while hi reMinoi any power cf rtsistancp. The people of Australia and New Zealand mug l ; ultimately became masters of the Sou'hern Pacific snd must be prepared to take the responsibility thereby imp'ied. His Government intended to jealously guard Australia!! interests in the New Hebrides. In the matter of navigatioj law?, ha was pleased to find that New Zealand was practically of the same opinion as the Commonwealth, that foreign Powers in shipping matters would have to be met in the same spirit as they treated British ships. Let Britain and her colonies deal with the shipping of other nations in precisely the same manner as they treated hers.

Sir Edmund Barton hoped to have an opportunity before long of seeing New Zealand, if posdbl", in compiny with Sir John See.

Sir Joseph and Lady Ward were entertained by the naval authorities at luncheon on Garden Island.