PRESENTATION TO THE HON. J. G. WARD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 63, 15 March 1900, Page 8

PRESENTATION TO THE HON. J. G. WARD.

IMPORTANT SPEECH BY THE

PBEMIER

On. March' 3rd a ceremony :of a very pleasant nature took place at the Star Hotel, the Hon. J. G. Ward, Minister of Railways, being the recipient of a handsome presentaion from the. Liberals of Auckland in celebration of his rejoining the Seddon Ministry. The presentation consisted of a beautifully finished gold medal, with gold sovereign case attached, enclosed in a silver casket.

The medal is a massive gold one, with, two clasps, bearing the dates 1891 and 1899. On one side of the medal is shown locomotives and engine, with the inscription: "Hon. j. G. Ward, Minister of Railways, rejoined Ministry 21st December, 1899."

On the reverse side Is a picture of the Auckland General Post Office and the words:. "Hon. J. G. Ward, Post-master-General, from friends of the Liberal Party." The medal was in a haudsome solid ■silver casket, whioQi was inscribed: "Hon. J. G. Ward, presented March 3rd, 1900."

The design and workmanship reflected great credit on Messrs Stewart Dawson.

The gentlemen present were:—The Premier, Hon.'Jas. Carroll, Hon. W. T. Jennings, M.L.C., Messrs W. J. Napier, M.H.K., J. H. Witheford (Chairman of the Harbour Board), Theo. Cooper, H. Brett, T. W. Leys, Dr. McArthur, J. M. Morran and' Wm. Beehan.

Mr Beehan apologised for the absence of Messrs Jackson Palmer, M.H.R., T. Thompson and A. Myers. He then called upon Mr Napier, senior member for the city, to make the presentation on behalf of the subscribers.

Mr Napier said they had gathered together for the purpose of congratulating Mr Ward on rejoining- the Ministry. The people in Auckland had received the news with feelings of the liveliest satisfaction, because although Ihey had full confidence in the head of the Government, they believed that Mr Ward's re-accession would lend additional strength to and make the Government stronger than it already was. The souvenir .was only a small token of the admiration they felt for Mr Ward in his capacity as a champion of Liberalism, but it had been arranged in a very short time, and had the time been longer he had no doubt that the presentation would have assumed a very different form. (Hear, hear.) It afforded him very much pleasure to make the presentation, and express the wish that the recipient might have long life, and that his re-accession might be fraught with every advantage to Liberalism. (Applause.) .

Mr Ward, in reply, said he was very deeply indebted to the Liberal party for their kindness.in presenting- him with such a beautiful mark of appreciation. It was a very pleasing thingto know that he had the good opinion of such a large and representative body as the Liberals of Auckland. The presentation referred to the years IS9I and 1899. Many changes had taken place in that time, and they had been generally regarded as being beneficial to the people as a whole. There had been.many, able men in the ranks of previous Governments, but it. had fallen to the lot of the Administration that had been presided . over by Mr Seddon to put on record legislation which yas looked upon as being- in the van of progress—(hear, hear)—and in the general interests of the people. That had undoubtedly been the aim and object of the legislation. He could assure them that it had been a source of pleasure to himself to be associated again with his former colleagues, and to know that he had had their goodwill all through the piece. It had been a special pleasure to know that he was asked to rejoin without having requested any of his colleagues that lie should be even considered. He was also gratified to know that his appointment had been made with the approval of the great majority of the people. That which they had done that day would add a link to the .affections that had already existed, and they had put on record for all-time that which he very deeply appreciated. The handsome present would be treasured by his wife and children, and he only hoped that he would justify the esteem which if betokened. (Applause.) The Premier begged to be allowed, as head of the great Liberal party, also to thank the gentlemen present for their consideration and thoughtfulness. He said it was the first presentation that his worthy colleague had received at the hands of the Liberal party, excepting the confidence they bestowed upon him at the general elections. Prior to the elections he (the Premier) had stated in a speech at Tauranga that it was his intention to call Mr Ward to the Ministry again, so that it could not afterwards be said that he was. taken into, the Ministry without, the .people having been cpnBttlt^d. He(the Bremier)', of. course, did not- complain, and thank God he had been blessed with a constitution that could stand almost anything, but he:' Would not like to go through another 12 months similar to. last year. The re-accession of his worthy friend had relieved him (the Premier) of a class of work requiring. a special knowledge which he lacked—such a .duty, for instance, as Chairman of Commerce and Industries. The work of the Ministry was now spread over a wider circle. It was not for him probably to say too much, but he could say that the Ministry was a Ministry of parts, and it was impossible for only one or two men to meet the people in the manner which was incumbent upon Ministers. If it came to a sudden emergency, where a speech affected the body politic, he could always be satisfied if Mr Ward were there. He assured those present that their tboughtfulness would be appreciated, not only by the Liberals here, but by Mr Ward's constituents in Awarua, who were true to him in the darkest. hour. Knowing- all the circumstances, he (Mr Seddon) never lost confidence for a moment, and it now gave him great pleasure to know that there was a general feeling' throughout the colony that the right thing had been done in calling Mr Ward to the Cabinet again. The members of the Ministry-had been unanimous in deciding "upon recalling him, and from the time he left the Ministry till he received an intimation conveying the request that .he would rejoin the ranks, he had never mentioned Ministry to him (the Premier). Under all the circumstances, the present occasion was a very pleasant one indeed, and as head of the party he thanked them. (Applause.) ...

Mr yVitheford • said he had seen Mr

Ward in different parts of the world acting on behalf of the colony, and he had been very pleased at. the tact and ability he had shown. The company then drank Mr Ward's health in champagne with great enthusiasm.

The Hon. Mr Ward heartily thanked Mr Seddon for his kind expressions towards him; and referred to the great assistance Mr Seddon had rendered to him in the past. He was very grateful to Mr Seddon, and he would always give, him most loyal support in the. future. Mr Ward also heartily thanked Mr J. H. Witheford for his very kind remarks. He had met Mr Witheford in other parts of the world, and"he could bear testimony to his ability and his energy in promoting the interests of New Zealand. Mr Witheford was what Americans would call a real "g-oer." He considered Mr Witheford had done really good service to the colony.

iVtr J. H. Witheford proposed the toast of "The Ministry," coupled with the name of the Eight Hon. the Premier. Mr Witheford said he had attended all the big- banquets when the Premier was in England, and he could say Mr Seddon more than held his own agaiust the other Premiers.

Mr Seddon said their opponents whispered that the finance of the Government was not strong, but he would now take (he earliest opportunity of proving- that it was right. They would notice from the "Star" of Friday evening that at the present time the increased railway revenue was £325.000 over and above what was anticipated last year, but it took 33 per cent, of expenses to meet the returns. If the returns went up to £125,000, it was impossible to do the work with the same staff and expenditure as before; consequently the outgoings had increased in the ratio he had mentioned. At the same time, after making- provision for that increase, for the. old age pension requirements (which were heavy, but within the Government's calculation), and also for the extra amounts required in connection with the contingents, there would still be £300,000 to the good. (Applause.) That was an answer to those who were croaking about the finances of the colony. Some people would say, why if that'were so did not the Government bear the cost of all the contingents? In the case of the Third Contingent there was a general wish that the people should take an exceptional course to prove their loyajty and devotion to the Mother Country by fully equipping a contingent by voluntary contributions. As there was that general wish he. was gratified to give the people an opportunity to prove that New Zealand's loyalty was not a lip loyalty. Why should he say no, and offer to pay it out of unauthorised expenditure? People seemed oblivious to the. fact that the unauthorised expenditure was limited to ,€IOO,OOO, and already large draws had been made in connection with the contingents. He would not have mentioned these matters'had not remarks been made about them. There was another statement he wished to make while on the subject of finance. Nearly four months ago they saw there was going to be trouble, and that money was going to be dear, so he made arrangements for finance in connection with public works for 10 months ahead, or in other words, for about £1,000,000. In respect of money for the purchase of land, they had obtained £300,000 at IOOg. The great colony of New South Wales had at the panifi peri<3d offered its -Tper cent, loan, which was done at 0!)4. That was an answer to those who talked about New Zealand finances not being safe. Subsequent events had proved' that the Government, were, justified in the cOTjrse they took. It was weak finance that wrecked the Atkinson and Grey Governments. He made those explanations with a view of removing all feelings of uneasiness. In regard to both defence and finance there was no ground whatever for the slightest fear. (Applause.)

The Premier .said the Third Contingent would land without expense to the country or South Africa. The people in. this colony had found the cost of sending the third Contingent out of their ou-n pocket. Auckland had decided on re-mounts only, but the question was reconsidered" and they decided to send a Fourth Contingent. The outcome was a contingent was to be sent on Monday by the people of Auckland.

Mr Seddon said with regard to Mr Witheford's remarks as to how well he. had represented New Zealand at the .Jubilee period, he might say the man that was natural was accepted with all his imperfections. He found that when he returned to this country that statements he made, and not believed, had been verified by events that had' taken pi nee. • The Hon. .James Carroll said Ministers thought the colony was destined to become a great one, and they were prepared to help it. He contributed his little share. He thought the Hon. Mr Ward fully deserved all the nice things said about him that day. The Government must keep abrenst of public- opinion or fall.

The Hon. J. G. Ward also made brief remarks.

Mr Win. Bee.han, Dr.- McArthur and Dr. Darby also spoke.