Our Colonial Treasurer's Doing.

Evening Post, Volume XLIX, Issue 127, 31 May 1895, Page 2

Our Colonial Treasurer's Doing.

I PRISS ASSOCIATION.! LonijON, 30th May. At the instanco of his Government, Mr. Ward is inviting tenders for the construction of a cable steamer for New Zealand. She is to have a speed of 14 knots, and will be built under the guidanoe of Mr. W. H. Preeoe, the well-known electrician. The vobbol will probably coat £25,000. Mr. Ward states that his Government is willing to Bubmit to arbitration the questions in dispute with the New Plymouth bondholders. Speakine at the banquet given to Lord Brassev, Mr. Ward asked those present for their cordial support in connection with the Pacific cable and the steamer services, urging that the success of these undertakings would afford better proof of ths fooling of England, and do more to unite tho Empire than any number of platitudes. He warned Great Britain that other countries were striving to divert her colonial trade. His experiences in England had made him rejoice to think that he wag a member of the British Empire. Mr. Ward has arranged for the postponement of the New Zealand conversion operations for six months. (Reoeived May 31, 10.45 a.m.) Stdnbt, This Dat. The Sydney Morning Herald, referring to Mr. Ward's Btook conversion scheme being postponed for six months, says it may mean that on reconsideration the prospeot has been found less promising than was at first antioipated, and that the soheme lias been opnveniently postponed, preparatory to being shunted. It may really be intended to oarry out the soheme at the timo mentioned, but nnleßs the market conditions are maoh more favourabU than at present little or nothing will be gained by the change, while the expenses will have to be borne.