PRIME MINISTER IN SOUTHLAND

Evening Star, Issue 14496, 22 February 1911, Page 3

PRIME MINISTER IN SOUTHLAND

EAREWELLED AT BLUFF. Last evening Sir Joseph AVard was entertained at a publio conversazione, and was presented with an autograph album containing tho names of all those present. His recaption was enthusiastic, and the speeches made eonvcyc-d tho pride of tho electors in their representative and full confidence in tho Administration led by him, also confidence in his ability to worthily uphold tho honor of the Dominion at the Imperial Conference. Tho Prime .Minister said ho was not in a position to discuss tho resolutions which ho semo time ago gave notice to move at the Imperial Conference, as it would scarcely bo fair to tho other members of tho Conference. Ho sincerely hoped the Conference proceedings would bo open to the Press, as that was tho only way to get publio attention fixed on particular matters, and the only way to get a practical issue from the discussions. Tho question would doubtless bo decided by a majority vote. Of course. / thero wercsomo matters', such as Defence, on which tho Conference would go into committee, and tho discussion would bo regarded as confidential. There would ho a great deal for tho Conference to do in the way of providing machinery for Imperial organisation in times of ditUculty or of peace that would work effectually. Referring to New Zealand's Dreadnought contribution, Fir Joseph said that a sinking fund had been provided, bo that tho vessel would ho completely paid for in fifteen years, and the annual cost in tho meantime of interest and .sinking hind was under £99 000. In reply to his critics, ho emphasised the gieat moral effect of tho contribution, and pointed out that tho oniy alfcAJomtlvc lo hearing a share of tho cost, of the British Navy and ensuring its protection was to build a navy of our own. Tho erst of that would 1.0 ruinous, as wo would have to make an inW.al provision £10,000,000, and would then have to pay' £1.000,000 in maintenance, and. further, in from fifteen to twenty' roans tho vc.-se!r. would he obsolete, and' lie would have to l*gin He dwelt on the unique notation of Neu Zealand as a country of purely' European population, and on the question of the preservation of rare- purity, which would ho one, of particular importance at the Imperial Confeiencc. At this Conference and at the next one (four years hence) valuable work could bo done in the direction of preserving the European countries (outside parts of the Empire, such as India) from an invasion of the Eastern races. A motion of unabated confidence in Fir J. G. AVard as Awanta’s representative and as the head of the Govornmert was unanimously and enthusiastically carried.