MR. WARD AT THE POSTAL CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9020, 5 February 1895, Page 4

MR. WARD AT THE POSTAL CONFERENCE.

We are unfeignedly glad to be abfe to congratulate the Honourable Mr. Ward on the excellent impression he appears to have made on the members of the Postal Conference, and on the results he has achieved by his tact and business capacity. To some extent he had to play, as it were a "lone hand; " for there was evidently a-disposition on the part of the other colonies to regard New Zealand as something of an outsider. The arrangement with the Eastern Extension Company, which gives us the advantage of the present comparatively low rates, was threatened by the determination of Victoria to "Withdraw from the guarantee; and the representatives of other colonies were confessedly inclined to sympathise with Victoria's attitude till they heard Mr. Ward on the question.' It was admittedly his personal influence, exerted at /once with tact and. astuteness that saved the present guarantee arrangement from collapse, and enabled him to carry a proposal for an offer of renewal to the Eastern Extension, which, if, accepted, will-be. as , he claims—" the" , best arrangement yet entered into by the colonies." The New Sduth Wales representative, Mr. Cobs, "congratulated Mr. Ward on his ness in having struck a good bargain ovep the New Zealand cable "■; • while Mr. Fysh, of Tasmania, "took occasion' to refer to the business-like manner in which Mij. Ward conducted matters in which he took an interest." It is certainly gratifying to 'find New Zealand so ably and adequately represented in her intercolonial relations; and are proud of ( the excellent figure Mr. Ward cut at the Conference, and cordially endorse the well-deserved compliments bis. colleagues paid him. We probably differ from Mr. Wabd on more points than we- agree with him, and he has probably had to submit to more severe criticism in our columns than in those of any other paper in the colony i but while fault-finding is sometimes a duty, it is to us, at least, never a pleasure; and we. hope the many points of difference between the Treasurer and ourselves will never blind us to merit when we discern it. In our relations with other colonies party issues may stand aside ;< and we feel sure politicians and journalists of both sides share our satisfaction at the creditable way in which Mr. Wabd has represented us and safe-guarded our interests at'the Postal Conference.