SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8462, 12 June 1907, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

INTERVIEWED AT PERTH. ' Received June 12, 1.3 a.m. PERTH, Ji.ne 11. Interviewed this morning on his return from London, Sir J. G. Ward asked to state his opinion on the general results of both the I—pe-'ial Conference and the Maritime (.■; - ference. stated that in his opinion both conferences had justified the calling together of representatives of the self-governing colonies. In respect to the Maritime Conference the results affected the Commonwealth more than New Zealand, for the reason that his country already had a Shipping and Seamen's Act upon the Statute Book that provided for nearly all matters that were dealt with by the conference. Some points, however, of general application were dealt with which were of material interest to New Zealand. The protection of local shipowners as well as officers and seamen from unfair competition from abroad, together with the assimilation of various rules of practice, where it was possible to give effect to them, were most valuable. He intended to ask the Parliament of New Zealand to legislate . in accordance with the resolutions | carried at ;the conference in placer, where legislation was necessary. It would, in his opinion, have been a good thing had the Maritime Conference met ten years ago for then the representative men of England and the colonies might have devised a common ground of action, and so prevented many difficulties that subsequently had arisen. One great good resulting from the conference follows from the* fact that the shipping interests of the United Kingdom and the colonies were brought face to face round a common table, where personal discussion and frank interchange of opinion did so much?.to clear and remove misunderstandings that inevitably exist where everything is left to correspondence and despatches. Sir J. G. Ward said that the success of the conference was in.no small measure due to the tact and ability displayed by Mr Lloyd-George. Where so many conflicting interests were concerned the risk of friction was groat, and that this did not occur was due not only to the reasonable attitude of the delegates, but equally to the courtesy and judgment of the President. While naturally and properly alive to his enormous responsibilities as the official head of the world vide shipping trade of the United Kingdom, he showed an evident desire to meet the views of the Commonwealth and New Zealand wherever he possibly could. In refeience to the Imperial Conference here the difficulties presenting themselves were in some respects very great. Indeed it was the first real business conference of representative men from oversea Dominions that had taken place in England. The former conferences had done good work, but that work was entirely of a preliminary character. Practical issues were first dealt with at this conference. He would have greatly liked to . have seen preferential trade agreed to by the British representatives. However, they could not shut their eyes to the position of the British Government, who were returned with a record majority pledged among other things to a continuance of freetrade. Sir J. G. Ward pressed the point that preference was quite distinct from Freetrade, and could be given effect to without violating the principles of that doctrine. The British Government, however, were j not prepared to accept this view, hence the most that could be said was that a good deal was'done in the way of educating public opinion upon that point. A most important step was taken in the establishing of the Conference as a permanent institution with the Prime Minister of Great Britain as the standing President. The actual constitution of the Conference, its functions and machinery for doing its work, were left to be settled at a future meeting, and this, in his opinion, .was a, very wise step. In the meatime the machinery would be worked by the Colonial Office. The discussion that took place in connection with the military and naval defences of the Empire, particularly in relation to the colonies, was of the greatest importance. In respect to naval defence,. the views of the Commonwealth differed from those of New Zealand, and Sir Joseph naturally expressed no opinion as to the course pursued by the Commonalth, aa it was a matter entirely for them to decide upon. New Zealand preferred to continue the existing system under which the whole naval defence is conducted and controlled by the Admiralty, New Zealand contributing upon a money basis. He had explained at the Conference that they had yet many years of development of their <tmntry to provide for, and the obligations thus entailed were as much as the colony was justified in undertaking. He hoped, however, that the course the Commonwealth proposed to take would turn out to be one of great success to them. Sir Joseph further expressed satisfaction that his suggestions in favour of the cheapening of postal and cable rates and quickening mail communications, together with the establishment of commercial delegates representing the British Government in the British colonies, had met with a favourable reception. He hoped that practical results Would follow. In reply to an enquiry as to the attitude of the British Government at the Conference, he expressed himself in high terms uf the courtesy and consideration extended to all the by Lord Elgin, who most capably presided. Asked as to his impressions of London, he said that the hospitality and kindness that he and hi 3 party had received from all sections of the British people from the day of their arrival would never be forgotten by them. The pressure of work daily outside the Conference itself had given him an exceedingly busyjtime, but he was returning to New Zealand with delightful remembrances of his visit. These were enhanced from the fact that a great link in the chain of Imperial brotherhood had been strengthened] throughout the memorable Conference of 1907.

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