OUR PREMIER AT HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 29 April 1907, Page 2

OUR PREMIER AT HOME.

o SPEECH AT COLOXIAI, iNSTITCTE DINNER. DJ:i-'i:>.X'iC AND IM.MIdRATION QUESTION'S. CHEAPER UAIJUXI! AND EASTER I KUU'PLNU ADVOCATED. ; Per Press Asoeiation. c Wellington, April ■>!. The following is supplied to the Press i Association by tile Government: In the course of his speech at the Royal Colonial Institute dinner Sir .). '.;. Ward said the delibcKiiionu on defence nutters at the Conference were nio.-t important and th" prospects of a workable scheme for the interchange of Imperial liritish olliccrs and units for education purposes would prove valuable. He strongly favored the liritish Navy belli/,' under the entire coiurol of the Admiralty in London. New Zealand preferred to support ilie liritish Navy by way of subsidy, and ,if necessary, by an increased subsidy. j.le thought it quite possible that the ships in New Zealand waters could iie manned entire ly liy New Zealand crews and so avoid two's-.s of wages being pai'd lirilisll ami colonial crews, and (bus a source of irritation and friction would be ienioved. New Zealand could not object to her subsidy being devo.ed entirely lo providing crews if the Admiralty so o••sired. He strongly favored an active policy to biing the Xavy at Home and abroad to the highest point of stivnglh ami perfection in times of peace, so as to be .fully equipped for any unexpected 1 emergency. At the uilonial Conference he was glad to hear the views of Lord Twc.edinoul.il re docks and coaling stations. New Zealand in that reaped • would not he behind, ami with the co

nitration of 'the Homo authorities excellent facilities in butli ihcse matters could lie provided. Already llic Calliope dock nt Auckland was available! for ships of war, and if the Admiralty desire to have further docks in future foi strategic use. lie suggested the desirability of stating what length and size ilie ships in future in New Zealand waters ivould be, and that, the harbor authorities who control the docks should have. this information furnished them, and lie. had no doubt that if circumstances required tiiey woulu co-operate wi"b the Admiralty in making provision for the future. Coal amongst Hie finest qualities in the world was available at she mines at GreymonOi and Wcstpon. The country recognised the importance iif coal development and had become responsible for about £400,000 of funds for development of these .ports. Exl en- • ions and expansions would be provided for. It was entirely a matter of money to make provisions for any warships t:; coal at these harbors, and he would be glad to confer with the First Lord of the Admiralty upon this or any other matter calculated to improve the position of ships patrolling these seas. He recognised that a maritime struggle for Empire, if one ever occurred, would he most likely near England, and the vie-

Tory, wherever it took place, was vital to ail parts of the Empire. He thought they ought to help as far as possible to strengthen the 'outlying portions of the groat Empire. New Zealand was not prepared to enter upon a policy of building battleships or sailing its own navy. It had to he remembered that the colony was youry, that there was still a great internal development policy necessary for years to come for providing, not alone for the people at present in New Zealand, but for a large increase in population as the years went on. Settlement and development of the country was as important to England as to New Zealand, and even if he favored such a policy, which he did not, there was a Hmitation to the powers of a country like New Zealand, which is incurring heavy financial responsibility. Within the limit of their means they would do their part, but for some years to come it must be In the direction of helping and supporting the British lion. As for any ambitious local scheme, Australia was entitled to give effect to such a policy as they considered best, and his ■friend Mr DeaUin would have his support in what they desired to do, although he could not see his way to make it apply to New Zealand. ' -

In reference to the Army proposals Sir Joseph considered that uniformity of system, guns, ;m,l munitions of war was most desirable, so that the same weapons and ammunition could lie made use of in times of action. He

expressed approval of the work so far done at the Conference, though important matters had still to be dealt with. He urged in addition that side efforts uhouhl be made in practical directions to bring the Motherland and her sons beyond the seas closer together. He

suggested the importance of Australia and New Zealand having some say on Hie Board of Control of the Suez Canal. There was a growing trade through it from both countries. It was part of the world's highway, and those portions of the Empire who used it should have gome say in the management and con J trol. He did not ask for nominal representation, but they should be allowed to purchase a portion of the Suez shares to entitle them to representation on the Board. He urged tnat Great Britain. Canada, Australia and New Zealand should set earnestly to work to provide faster steamers acrosn Ulo Atlantic and Pacific and so bring Australia and New Zealand to within twenty days of London. This was quite possible—four davs to Canada, four days across the Continent, and twelve days across the Pacilic to New Zealand. Provided they went for stenniers of modern size, build am] speed, it was capable of being performed. One of the greatest trouble of the colonies was the distance from the Old Land. If it were possible for both ends of the world to have the opportunity of doing the journey in Hire* weeks thousands would travel where hundreds do so now. The benefits that would ensue on a knowledge of the country that must follow would be invaluable. Then again lo bring us closer together we want cheaper eaMe communication. He declared his belief that it would pay England, India, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zetland, if even they could not own all the cables between their respective countries to have rates reduced to. one shilling or even sixpence a word, and to guarantee the present returns that were accruing from the business passing over the linos. He included the Pacific «al>le in any Suggested guarantee, and his opinion was that though a loss at first would occur, reduced rates would mean such an enormous increase of traffic that the guar- 1 antee. of the Motherland and other portions of the Empire to which he referred would soon be a nominal one. They could not get such enormous advantages over a world-wide Empire without, some sacrifice, ami he believed that with the power and prestige the course he suggested would involve comparatively little sacrifice.