SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 196, 18 August 1913, Page 6

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

OVATBD AT THE BLUFF. (By Telegraph.— Press Association.) INYERCARGILL. Sunday. Sir Joseph Ward viisited the BluQ' on .Saturday, and was accorded an enthusiastic reception, being escorted to his residence by a large crowd. In the evening -lie was entertained at a civic reception. The Mayor (Mr. W. flinekey), in the course of his inHvn-.s. complained of what he termed the shabby treatment of Otago and Southland in regard to the visit of the battleship New Zealand, 'i'h'' authorities should have paid Sir Joseph the compliment of allowing tbe biifllrsirip to he p.t least two days at the Bluff. Sir Joseph Ward, in the course of his reply, referred to this mailer. He s:tKl tha.t the visit ol" tho battleship to the different parts of the Empire was regarded afi a marvellous object lesson for .pence, showing the-world that Britain was fully equipped i:i the event of war with any other Dower. ITc was very sorry that .there bad been any trouble over the v'wit of the .battleship to this part of the country. The battleship should have stayed at the Bluff fur t.wn or three days. He wanted to sny. speaking quite impartially as a public man. that he did no I think ;i;it whoever was responsible had shown proper consideration t r. l-h's perl of the country. A longer time might have teen allowed, even in the oilip.rc. in Otago and '.he Rluff. He had ;w-ked ' when dealinc* with the affairs o" the battleship io Err_!aii<! that it should he srni out to New Zealand not for personal glorification, but in the firm belief that "l would prove one of the finest things for the Empire in that the people of New Zealand would bo able to see their free gift for the protection of tbe Fmoire. It was an object lesson for the whole Empire. It '*V'_s the people's right to .have every opportunity of seeing the battleship when it came to these waters, and as the matter had been rpferrcd to by the Mayor he deemed it necessary to say something concerning the treatment of Otago anrl Southland. After the reception sSi r Joseph Ward was entertained nt supper by the. member* - of the Borough Council and liis Bluff committee.