A PUBLIC WELCOME.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8234, 11 September 1906, Page 6

A PUBLIC WELCOME.

THE PREMIER AND NEW MINISTERS ENTERTAINED. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, September 10. The Town fiall was crowded, tonight, when the citizens of Wellington tendered a public welcome to Sir Joseph Ward and the new members of the'XJabinet (Messrs Millar, MoNab and Fowldsl. The Ministers received a great ovation on entering the building. Sir Joseph Ward, in the course of a speech, said be and his colleagues claimed that they had "nailed their colours to the maßt" and would keep them flying. The historian of the future would describe the policy of the Government as bold, wide, liberal, and magnetic, , intended for the good of all classes. Touching upon the chief matters of the policy disclosed iu the Budget, Sir Joseph said, the principle of removing some of the public debt had never before been [laced befure the people in a practical form, though it had been talked about on many occasions. Native lands would be brought into occupation in the interests of the Maori owners and of the people generally. The Government wuh trying to limit the area of large estates for the reason that the country was only a small one and the area of Crown lauds was limited. They did not desire that tboße thines which hart been such a blot on t.ie annals and on the records of ether lands should exist in this country, it would not be necessary to go to London next year for public money. The colony could now choose its market. Speeches were made by the other Ministers and were warmly received, the proceedings being cordial throughout.