MINISTERS AT HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1916, Page 4

MINISTERS AT HOME.

SIR JOSEPH WARD INTERVIEWED. London, Oct. 10. Sir 'Joseph Ward, interviewed, said that the first thing necessary was to win the wur outright, then to bring in improved conditions, especially in trade organisations against unscrupulous competitors. Our business is to gain a powerful defensive and commercial supremacy, preventing a recurrence of a War similar to the present. TO MEET THE KHAKI BOYS, Received Oct. 11, 8 p.m. London, Oct. 11, Mr. Ma-joy and Sir Joseph Ward had a lengthy consultation with the Board of Trade concerning New Zealand meat and other products. Sir Thomas Mackenzie lias arranged for a reception of New Zealand troops in London, to meet Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward at Caxton Hall on Saturday.

The Right Hon. W. F. Masscv, 'Prime Minister, and Sir Joseph Ward left Wellington by the Rotorua on August 17 for England. Mr. Massey was accompanied by Mrs. Massey and Miss Massey, and his private secretary, Mr. Frank Thomson; and Sir Joseph Ward by Lady Ward and his secretary, Mr. H. 0. Browne. The party left without any formal ceremony. Indeed, special steps were taken to keep its movements secret. Mr. Massey's name has continued until the past few days to appear under the communications of the Recruiting Board, of which he is chairman, and it was not till a fortnight had passed that the redistribution of portfolios necessitated by the absence of the two .Ministers uvas made public. Although even in Wellington the departure of the Ministerial party was kept very quiet, a large number of people saw the final scenes on the wharf. The members of the Cabinet, many members of Parliament, and the heads of various Government Departments were present to see the voyagers safely away, and the unwritten rules were broken to the extent of cheering. As is well known, the visit of Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward to Britain has been in contemplation for a considerable time. The Canadian Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence have made several trips to London during the two years of war, and the Prime Minister of the Australian Commonwealth has just returned from a prolonged stay in London, during which he had important consultations with British Ministers and with the Government.