SIR J. G. WARD IN SYDNEY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 12 September 1924, Page 9

SIR J. G. WARD IN SYDNEY.

VIEWS ON POLITICAL SITUATION

Sir Joseph Ward, interviewed on his arrival in, Sydney, said that a wave of prosperity was passing over New Zealand. The Dominion, however, had not been immune from the political confusion which seemed to be permeating the greater portion of the British pos” sesions. The position in New Zealand uas very much akin to that existing in England at the present time. The Government of the day had not got a majority of its own following in the House of Representatives but there was a small section of the Liberal 1 arty which had voted with the Government to keep them in nowef. It could not be regarded a s a healthy condition. A Government to curry out effectively its policy should be in an independent position. Present indications were that the Government would be able to carry through the present session, and possibly to the. next general elections — in eighteen months’ time. In political ate, however, the unexpected not intrequentiy happened, and nobodv could definitely say what the outcome' of the, present political “closeness” would be. Sn Joseph *\\ ard said he was still as keen and sincere in his advocacy of the establishment of a, naval base at Singapore ds he was when the idea was first n -°i te< u' Ts7 ° bocl V wbo liad had the insight he had into what war meant would hesitate to do everything in his power to prevent a renewal of warfare Although he believed in. the limitation* of armaments on land and sea, it would be sheer madness to neglect making the necessary provision for the construction and maintenance of super cruisers and battleships to protect outposts of the' Empire like Australia and New Zealand Judging from the evidence Of the think] ers of the Rritisli Admiraltv Singapore was geographically, best situated for such a base, and he thought that sooner or later one would have to he established there.