SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11108, 29 October 1901, Page 6

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

PRESENTATION FROM THE RAILWAY EMPLOYEES. (FBESS ASSOCSATJtOK TBXEGBA2f.) WELLINGTON, October 28. ■There wks a-large gathering of railway men representing Wellington, Napier, and New Plymouth sections, and members of Parliament at Petone on Saturday, the occasion being the presentation of a handsome silver tea and coffee service to Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, as an earnest of tie congratulations of the railway employees to Sir Joseph Ward, on the occasion of his knighthood.

I The Premier said the situation was unique, oecause they had as Premier an ex-railway man, who looked back with pleasure to the time when he was in the service of the Vietwian Government as a railway employee; Experts and distinguished visitors to the colony had told him thafc the constructor work the New Zealand railway employees were doing was equal,to anything aoue.'in the Old Country, and ev>en the Americans had admitted that in carriage building they (the Americans) had something to learnThe public, however, were the best judges, and they would testify that oiir management and administration was equal to anything in any other part of the world. It would be a pleasure for the railway men to know that their services were appreciated. ln«y also felt f-hat they had been honoured through the Minister of Railways, who had received the distinction of K.C.M.G. from the King. Sir Joseph Ward was the first Minister of Railwaws who had been knighted, and he was also the only -.Minister of Railways that was a knigbt. Throughout the colony the feeling expressed v,-as that the honour bestowed on Sir Joseph Ward was in recognition of his great services to the colony and the Empire.

Sir Joseph Ward, who was loudly cheered, said he wished to thank sincerely those who had deemed ham worthy of such ,a handsome present. He fully recognised the responsibilities of the railway men. A Minister would not be doing his duty if he forgot the men and boys, wbo in their various spheres were really making it possible for the Minister to carry out his work.. It would be his pleasure to see that the men received adequate pay, and he was also pleased to be able to say that his experience was that the railway men were always open to acknowledge a fair thing. While the classification of railway servants might not be all they desired, and while.the Government was open to receive suggestions, the employees must remember the Government was surrounded with financial difficulties. Still, reasonable ■recommendations would receive careful consideration. It was pleasant- to him to know that iJie honour conferred' upon him carried with it the goodwill of the people.