SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 69, 21 March 1903, Page 3

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

OOMMEROIAL RBLITIONB. ] Per) Press Association. ! Stbhr, March 20. j Sir Joseph Ward was entertained by i a large number of representatives of business and commercial interea's to take a farewell of Sir Jebn See. Messrs O'SaHivan and Kidd were present, but Sir E. Barton was unavoidably absent. Sir Joseph Ward, in proposing the toast of New South Wales, acknowledged t}i > extreme kindness extended to him daring his visit, and assured them of the sincere interest New Zealand bad in the welfare and of New South Walec. Sir John S >e, in responding, expres sed his appreciation of Sir Joseph Ward's visit, and desired bia to convey to his colony the warmest expressions of friendship. He referred to the steps taken in London to inqu'ra into food supplies daring war tim r ,and said that Australia would do her part in the time of need to help the Motherland, both with men and food supplies. Mr O'Sullivan proposed Sir Joseph Ward's health. The latter, in replying, Slid tint Sir John Sae's remarks about food supplies emphasized the necessity for those in authority throughout the British dominions putting their he<ids together to consolidate British commerce. Some measures were needed to conserve trade within the Empire, as foreign nations, with Government assistance, were doing their utmost to extend their commercial relations. New Zealand had asserted her desire to foster Imperial trade by pron- uncing in favour of preferential 're»tm n*. The whole qu»*tion of commercial relations »■ aid soin demmd the best at--tentiou of s'ate-men.

Sir J ignph Ward leaves for Melbourne by the Japanese miil steamer •to-morrow.