Southland’s Distinguished Son

Evening Star, Issue 20130, 21 March 1929, Page 6

Southland’s Distinguished Son

— ; — * . Banquet to Sir Joseph Ward A Wonderful Welcome Over 2,000 Present [Special to tub ‘ Stas.’] INVERCARGILL, March 20.

Probably no greater tribute could have been paid to the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) than the welcome accorded him tin's evening, when over two thousand people assembled in the Drill Hall on the occasion of a mon- | ster banquet in Ins honour. The decorations and lighting were the most I ambitious undertaking of tho kind in Southland, and were representative of 1 tho whole province.

A crowd of a thousand had eongicgated in front of Sir Joseph AVard's hotel, and ho was given a rousing reo ception as he entered his car, winch, preceded by the Pipe Bund and followed by a long procession of cars, proceeded to the hall. The route was lined by largo crowds. | In a brilliantly decorated hall, gay with coloured lights and bunting and crowded to its utmost capacity, 2,01)0 Southlandcrs paid tribute to Sir Joseph [ Ward in one of the greatest non-poli-tical gatherings ever held in New Zealand. The enthusiasm, held in cheek by Sir Joseph Ward's non-arrival on Tuesday evening owing to the Hoods, fairly burst bounds to-day, when the Premier was greeted by a large crowd at the railway station on arrival in the afternoon and again this evening, when he was cheered to the echo on entering the hall, and greeted with “ Eor he’s a jolly good fellow,” During the ■evening there were bursts of applause at every mention of his name, and prolonged cheers. Tho banquet brought together admirers from all parts of the province, including an old lady of 1)2 who knew liim as a youth, and had expressed her determination to attend if it was her last journey on this earth. The guests included six members ol the Cabinet —Messrs Do la Pcrrcllc, Taverner, Veitch, Willord, At mo re, Sicley—Mr Harry Lauder, also M.P.s from as far north as Marsclen. Mr J. C. Thomson, a ivcll-known oxparliamentarian, was accorded an ovation on rising to propose the health of Sir Joseph’Ward, whom he characterised as a distinguished statesman and a renowned Imperialist. Ho traversed Sir Joseph’s career, commencing as Mayor ol Campbclltowu and chair- 1 man of the Bluff Harbour Board lortyseven years ago. die had entered Parliament in IBS7, joining the Cabinet four years later, and filling distinguished posts, including that of Premier, with credit to himself and advantage to the country. Tho most distinguished son Southland had sent lorth during its seventy-three yea is’ existence was Sir Joseph Ward, who had proved himself optimistic, enterprising, far-seeing, generous, and sociable. He referred to one of Sir Joseph’s greatest services to Southland as putting the port of Bluff on the map, and to the • bold and fearless way in which he did so, thus demonstrating completely his deep faith in the province and its prospects. Sir Joseph Ward had chartered tho steamer Triumph and paid all expenses (including insurance), loaded it with produce, and sent it Homo to London, taking all the risks. Tho shipment proved a wonderful success, and showed for all time that tho port ol Bluff was safe for deep-sea vessels to i enter. Ho concluded by comparing j Sir Joseph Ward in tho length and dis- < tinelion of his service to Gladstone, j with particular reference to the later I years of his life. j Tho popularity of tho Premier was I continually in evidence throughout J Mr Thomson’s address, in the ontj bursts of applause, at the mention of 1 his name and the frequent loud | cheers. A tribute was also paid to him by Mr David MADougall, M.P. for Mataura, and Mayor of Gore, wlio said he first came into contact with him a quarter of a century ago, when building his stores at Bluff. Sir Joseph Ward was the first man to introduce the milk separator into Southland and to pay fanners for corn sacks. He had been deeply moved by hearing Sir Joseph Ward speak, and

liis lifelong admiration for the man had beeii strengthened. “ J liavo supported him for years, and I’ll support him while there a kick in old David,” concluded the speaker amid laughter. His remarks were supported by Mr L. A. Niederer, chairman of the County Council, who expressed his appreciation of what Sir Joseph Ward had done for the province and for New Zealand. On rising to reply Sir Joseph Ward was greeted with tremendous cheering. When the tumult ceased at last Sir Joseph Ward expressed his heartfelt appreciation of the honour which the people of the province _of Southland had done him in tendering a banquet probably unequalled in the history of the dominion, and doubly honoured in that so many colleagues had chosen to honour him by their presence, and also members of til* House of Representatives. While characterising his speech as non-political in character, he referred to the stopping by the Government of work on the RotoruaTaupo line, stating that the policy was not to continue work on short-distance railways, which would not pay, particularly in this instance, when the line “ would not pay for axle grease.” Such traffic could bettor be served by motors. Ho announced the appointment of Mr J. S. Hunter as Commissioner of Road Transport, which was important and must be regulated. MV Hunter had had considerable experience as assistant to the Railway General Manager. Ho announced that ho had not been asleep concerning the Bhiff-Melbourne-Dnnedin service, and said: “We will have a steamer service. A tender the Government received is not satisfactory, but the matter is being pursued. Ju the past, when the drift of population was from north to south, the southern members held out their hand to the north, and made no effort to deny the necessary public utilities.” He was satisfied that the northern members would recognise the justice of the claim, and would assist as the southern members bad in the past, despite the North Island v. South Island ciy, which certain people might endeavour to raise for their own ends. The largest banquet ewer tendered a public man iu Southland concluded at an early hour iu the morning with combined cheers for the guest of honour, who was followed to his ear by a large and excited throng.

THE PREMIER'S REPLY DEFICIT FOR YEAR [Pi; it United Press Association.] JNVEIICARGJLL, -March :M. On rising to reply to the toast of his health) Sir Joseph was accorded an enthusiastic reception. , ilu addressing the vast assembly lie thanked those through whose efforts the banquet was organised. “1 think 1 am right in saying that any man would realise in these circumstances that anything ho had attempted was of little consequence compared with the pouring out of appreciation that has taken place tonight.” lie realised the requirements of his position, and he did not appreciate the expressions of those who had been sympathetically inclined towards him. He was afraid that the wish was father to the thought, and there were some who would be glad to have him out of the arena in which both -were engaged. Ho wished to say that all over the Empire, in trying to gain positions, politicians should be above sacrificing the best interests of the people. Ho declared that lie had been tongue-tied on taking office when the questions and criticism of some of his opponents were levelled. Ho was: not aware that the position of the revenue was not so satisfactory as it should have been, especially as this was an era of the country’s greatest prosperity. He Imped to make an announcement of the true position of the country’s finance shortly after the end of the financial year. Ho spoke of the Government's desire to overcome the unemployment difficulty, and by closer settlement ho believed the country areas could absorb 5,01)0 or 10,000 more people. The Government’s policy was to complete productive railways, and since taking office he had stopped work on one railway it was believed would not prove productive. Continuing, he made reference to State Advances, statin® that the Government took office on December 10, and since that date, to March 15, £i ,- 617,000 had been authorised to settlers and workers at low rates of interest, and there was approximately in hand and now available for settlers and workers £1,600,000; so that those wanting money from those branches had only to comply with the Act (in having their valuations sent in to the bpard) to have them considered and dealt with; and where the valuations warranted, favourable consideration and no unnecessary delay took place. The board could not, of course, make advances beyond true value, but it was wonderful what had been done, and was being done, by_ it. The relief and assistance given irrespective of party had been invaluable. From its inception, at a low rate of interest,, the department had advanced to date upwards of £40,000,000, and was at present providing funds at the rate of between £6,000,000 and £7,000,000 a year. “ If 1 allude,” continued the Premier, “ to the fact that I was responsible for the preparation of both the settlers’ and the workers’ scheme, and introduced and piloted_ the legislation for both through Parliament, anyone ’would be entitled to a feeling of pride that, over a very long series of years of effective operation, they have, in the teeth of some of the most vicious criticism ever directed against a public man, been completely successful.” Sir Joseph Ward also" touched upon the question of a direct MelbourneBluff shipping service, and stated' that the matter was in hand. At present

negotiations were under way for Iho establishment of two .steamer services; running each way. The Premier's last important ananoinicciuont was in connection with the national account, Sir Joseph stating that revenue would not equal expenditure at March , and the conntry would face a deficit. This could bo safely negotiated in the coming year, but it meant that the Government would'have to have the assistance of the .people to equalise the position in the coming twelve month-.. Ho had no anxiety about it, and he merely ivcntioned it to prepare the country outlie position that would bo disclosed by the publication of tho .statement of account, 1 ; very shortly. Short railway lines, ho said, were not paying, and nothing further would be done in the extension of short lines. Tho Government would concent rate on tho long linos, and main trunk railways. The solution of the unemployment problem lay in land settlement, and this would be pressed forward without delay as soon as the. Government was in possession of all the facts. Other speakers were Iho chairman (Air W. Alexander, president of the Southland League), who made the introductory remarks, Messrs .1). APDongail, ALP. (Mayor of Gore), and Air L. A. Ncidcrcr (chairman of the Southland County Council), who supported the toast of ‘‘Our Guest,” HieMayor of Invercargill (Air John Miller) , who proposed the toast of “ Parliament of New Zealand,” and the Hon. H., Atmorc (Alinister of Education), and Air Adam Hamilton, ALP., who replied; Air J. A. Broom (Mayor of Wi nton), who proposed tho toast of “Tiio Army, Navy, and Air Force,"' and Captain Lionel A r . Wells and Major H- D. APHugh, who replied. tourist and Health Resorts ” was proposed by Sir Harry Lauder, and replied to lly tho Hon, J. A. iiannn, Af.L.C. the speeches were ranch longer than wn.s anticipated, and the baiiquct, instead of concluding at J I did not terminate till well after midnight.