SIR JOSEPH WARD AT FEILDING.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 28, 2 August 1906, Page 4

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT FEILDING.

A representative of this journal had a chat with Sir Joseph and Lady Ward at the Feilding station yesterday while the train waited. The future Premier and his wife were both in excellent health, and expressed their pleasure at beiug at home again. In the course of conversation, Sir Joseph, in reply to a question, said the newspaper interviewers in the States treated him very fairly, only one notable inaccuracy striking him. That was in reference to a reciprocity treaty. It was stated that Sir Joseph had arranged the details, and had left instructions at the British Embassy for the treaty to be concluded. " They do not seem to realise," added Sir Joseph, "that the colony is independent of the Home Country in these matters, but imagine that every little detail is controlled by the Imperial Government." Sir Joseph said that something the same idea seemed to prevail at the Postal Conference amongst the delegates of foreign governments. Asked whether he could recall any amusing incidents at the Postal Conference, Sir Joseph smiled and said that he was rather amused at the attitude of one British delegate, who waxed sarcastic over New Zealand's advocacy of the universal penny postage. Speaking in French, tho delegate suggested that perhaps Sir Joseph looked upon himself as the New Zealander who was gazing on tho ruins of St. Paul's ! H< got his reply in, however, for when th< opportunity came our PostmasterGeneral rubbed it in in characteristic fashion. At this moment, the coming Premier espied the Post representative (Mr Tom. L. Mills) waiting for an interview. "Ah, Mr Mills, I heard about you in America," was the first greeting. " From a policeman, I sup pose," returned the imperturbablt Mills. " No," returned Sir Joseph, " 1 think it was through Mr McMurran. He's quite somebody amongst the journalists over there" — " One wouldn't have thought so," soliloquised the Wellingtonian. " And he talked a good deal abont the characteristic men he met." At this moment the bell rang and wo had to postpone further interesting details for another occasion. v Good luck to the Feilding Stab, and prosperity to its proprietors," was the coming Premier's hearty parting injunction.