SIR JOSEPH WARD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 11, 7 July 1911, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD

A DREADNOUGHT SPEECH.

By Cable.—Presß Association.—Copyright Received 6, 11.30 p.m. London, July C.

The Freedom of the Leather Sellers Company has been conferred on Sir J. G. Ward, Bart., in recognition of his services to the Empire; also that of the Commemoration Company's Association of the late Sir John Hall.

After the ceremonial Sir Joseph was banquetted. Lord Addington, Sir Edward Montague Nelson, Mr. Morris (Newfoundland), Mr. Percival Kidd and Judge Palmer were present. Mr. Warden Pullman, in proposing the health of Sir Joseph Ward, said that Englishmen never forget that New Zealand, prompted by Sir Joseph, offered a Dreadnought to the Empire when a cloud of danger threatened the Motherland.

Sir J. G. Ward, in responding, said it was only natural when the horizon was clouded that the people of New Zealand would show the outside world that the Motherland had their w"nole-souled support. The outcome of the Conference would go a long way to draw the Empire closer. He looked forward to the time when the overseas dominions and the Motherland would share the burdens of the Empire proportionally to their populations. He always urged that there should be one great navy under the one set of brains in one place. What was the use of talking about local navies. The trouble would be' over before they could act. They would be no earthly use if the Motherland was overwhelmed. New Zealand's action was prompted by a desire to make the people of Britain recognise that the younger offshoots were not ungrateful for past support.