SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 205, 4 October 1909, Page 2

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

WELCOMED ALONG THE LINE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Ohakunc, Saturday. About 500 people assembled at tho railway station to meet thp Premier. An niiilress of welcome was presented I by Mr. Athy, clinvrnian of the Town | Board. Sir Joseph replied expressing I gratification at so many people assemb-., ling at ho early nil hour to Jjfelconic Jtii'u- j self and Lady Ward. Tl]4jßWoiation ! shown was a reward i'orSHabor and was a great The I Hons. Carroll and Mrijar afR spoke, and the train left amidst cheers. j

Feiiding,; Saturday. The Premier was met at railway station at noon, wlion llic Ma.ii Trunk train arrived, and «'iis jycleomed home bv the Mayor, Mr. W. J. U. Trewin, 'nienibers ot the Borough Council, the president (Mr. W. P. Bramwcll) and members of the Chamber 6f Commerce, mid a large, number of townspeople. The Mayor spoke on behalf of the citizens, acknowledging the good work done ;il the Defence Conference Sir Joseph replied, heartily thanking the people for their welcome. He laid stress on the importance of the Conference. ' Lady Ward was presented with a large bouquet and cheers were given for Sil . Joseph and Ludy Ward.

Paliuerston X., Saturday. ■ The Premier was welcomed by a large r crowd of people at the railway station t today when passing through by the , express. Addresses of welcome were dei liveivit bv the Mayor and Mr. 1). Buick, . M.l\. mi 'behalf of the town, and by Mr. „ W. T. Wood on behalf of the Liberal '. Party. Si- Joseph replied in terms out- .. lining the business of the Imperial Con- (. fcrenec. The welcome was a very en .. thiisiastic one, loud cheers being giv.n ,1 for Sir Joseph.

ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME IN WELLINGTON. Wellington, Last Night. Several thousands of persons met the Prime Minister at the railway station yesterday to welcome him back from London. Councillor J. P. Luke represented the Mayor (who is away from Wellington) and was supported by councillors, many members of Parliament, heads of the' Civil Service and prominent representatives of the Maori race. As soon as Sir Joseph and Lady Ward step, ped on the platform, a dance of welcome was led by the chiefs Te Huihu and Tcikino and others. Mr. Luke then welcomed Sir Joseph Ward on behalf of the city. He paid a tribute to the enterprise and patriotism shown by tha Prime Minister in London and felt a tribute was due also to the late Mr. Seddon, who struck the first note of Imperialism when he took up the attitude that New Zealand should not join the Australian Federation, but should work out her own destiny. The people of New Zealand were proud of Sir Joseph Ward because he had kept up the Dominion's traditions, and the outcome

of the Defence Conference would be a. lasting Imperial spirit which would result in benefit to the whole Empire. Sir Joseph Ward's opening remarks were drowned in a wave of cheering, and cheers for himself, Lady Ward, Miss Ward, Mrs. Seddon and the Dreadnought. Sir Joseph thanked them for their welcome. He fully recognised that the late Mr. Seddon had laid the foundation of New Zealand's strong Imperial feeling. The unique mid historical Defence Conference had to lay the base upon which the structure of the future wjis to be erected, of a kind to meet the varying conditions of different portions of the Empire. Considering the complexity of the work, the outcome had been a scheme of Imperial co-operation and adhesion which made for the protection and progress of the Empire. New Zealand was going to help the Motherland to keep up the Navy superior to any other in the world. This Dominion was not going to be stupid ; enough to find fault on small matters of detail. Our duty was to attach ourselves to the most powerful navy the

world had known. It was realised that the Pacific would be a future theatre Of conflict. New Zcnlanders, therefore, ought to be proud that they would have here for the first time a safeguard in the shape of seven ships—two being cruisers pi a class incomparably better than we ever had before. Some people who professed to be on the side of the Empire were not above doing something contemptible to try to stab one who happened to be the leade r of the predominant party In New Zealand. Forty thousand citizens had enthusiastically welcomed him at Auckland, but a miserable, contemptible effort was made bv some creature to try to discount it. All he could say was, "Have pity on him. for his intellect was of aii inferior type."

Sir Joseph Ward was warmly applauded. He and Lady Ward passed through a dense crowd to their carriage, and the Prime Minister had to respond to an appeal for another speech while tlii> was in progress. A handful of individuals made some interruptions, and opposed a wean 'bobhing" to a great cheer which went up as Sir Joseph ami Ladv Ward drove «!nwly through the assemblage into the city.

On Friday the Mayor, Mr. fl. Tisch. telegraphel to (he Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, conveying a hearty welcome hom» and congratulations from New Plymouth, and on Saturday a reply was received expressive of 'the Premier's warm appreciation of the message.