PUBLIC WELCOME TO THE NEW MINISTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81844, 11 September 1906, Page 3

PUBLIC WELCOME TO THE NEW MINISTRY.

Per Press Association. Wellington. September 10. The Town llall was crowded to night, when the duz' ::s of Wel-'ing. •on tendered a pub.ic welcome 10 Sir Joseph Ward and the new members of the Cabinet, Messrs Millar, Mc N'ab. and Fowlds. The Ministers leceived a great ovation on entering the building. Sir Joseph Ward, in the course of his speech, said he and his colleagues claimed thai tliev had nailed their colours to the mast, and would kr-p them living. The his torian of the future would describe the policy of the Government a> bo:d, wide, liberal, and magnetic, intended lor the good of all classes. Before the people had the opportunity of judging that policy, it was somewhat premature of seme of their old triends—and he would sooner have an open enemy than a false friend —to pass judgment upon it. Touch ing upon the chief matters of the pol icy disclosed in the Budget, Sir Joseph said the principle of removing aome portions of public debt had never before been placed before the people in practical form, though it had been talked about 011 many occa sions. Native lands would be brought into occupation in the in teresis of Maori owners and of the people generally. The Government was trying to limit the area of large for the reason that the coun try was only a small one, and the area of Crown lands was limited. They did not desire that those things which had been such a blot on the annals and records of other lands should exist in this country. It would not be necessary to go to London next year for public money. The colony could now clmose its market. Speeches were made by the other Ministers, and were warmly receivd, the pro< ceding; being very cordial throughout.