PRESENTATION TO SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7818, 10 June 1909, Page 4

PRESENTATION TO SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 9. The Premier was presented with an illuminated address by the citizens of Wellington to-night at the House of Representatives. The gathering was well atended by both, sexes. Mr D. Nathan, on behalf of the Committee, stated that the address was given m recognition of the Premier's attitude lin connection with the offer of a Dreadnought. Sir Joseph Ward, m reply, expressed his warm thanks for the compliment to himself and his colleagues. The offer of ' the Government had been unanimously approved by the people of the dominion, which was a proof to the rivals of Britain that every part of the Empire had to be reckoned with m making their calculations. He referred to France's new naval programme as a proof of the seriousness of the international situation , and said Britain must have a fleet that could be recognised as unconquerable. (Cheers). We must have a local navy to keep the highway of the seas open for commerce, and it was the veriest rubbish to say that submarines at Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin could do that. We were determined that the British flag should continue to wave over Britain as well as those Islands which they were proud to belong to. (Cheers). The meeting concluded with cheers for Sir Joseph and Lady Ward. The address was a handsome volume, containing an illuminated address and the signatures of 5000 citizens.,,