PRIME MINISTER AND ANTI-MILITARISTS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14290, 28 February 1912, Page 4

PRIME MINISTER AND ANTI-MILITARISTS.

STATEMENT BY SIR JOSEPH

WARD

(special to "thr press")

WELLINGTON, February 27

A denial was given by Sir Joseph Ward in the House of Representatives this afiernoon to a statement which had been made by "Comrade" F. Cooke at a Socialist meeting in Christchurch, and reported in a l'ress Association telegram. Mr Cooke had said that the Premier received an anti-militarist depu* tatioa and gave it a sympathetic reply, but exacted a pledge of secrecy. "That statement," said the Premier, "is absolutely untrue. I was asked by a member, of tho House if I would receive a deputation, .naming some of tho people who wished to bo present. 1 informed him that during the no-eonfidenco debate I had declined —and rightly RO-7--to receive deputations on. public business, and that I was not prepared to receivo any deputation on a matter that might be tho subject of reference during the debate. ; At his request, however, I finally agreed to receive them privately, and I save them the reason why. under tho circumstances, the usual course could not bo followed. The suggestion that anything in tho shape of secrecy was imposed or asked for or insisted on by mc, is absolutely contrary to fact. I told the.half-dozen ■people, who were present that it would have to be regarded as prh'ato for tho reason fjiyen, but there was no reason .why their speeches .and my remarks could not havo been published from end to end of New Zealand. I protest against this distorted and garbled version of what was aaid. Ido not propose to go into the matter of tho Defence Act at present, as my views are perfectly well known." Mr 6. Laurenson explained that a deputation had come from the Peace Society in Christchurch, and was anxious to see tho Prime Minister. Tho latter stated that he objected to receiving deputations while a motion of no-confidence was being discussed. Hβ, however, agreed to see them in his room, and they could talk over matters, but he did not wish tho Press to be present. He received tho deputation purely in an informal manner, and there was no pledge of secrecy asked for. Mr Robertson endorsed what Mr Lauronson, had said. He did not know under what circumstances the deputation had .been arranged, hut nothing was said that micht not have been published under ordinary circumstances.

Mr Payno also gave testimony to the accuracy of tho Prime Minister's statement. No mention of secrecy, he said, was made.