SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 12063, 27 January 1902, Page 2

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

SPEECH AT GREYMOUTH. [ny TKLKORArn.] Grbtmouth, Sunday. The largest gathering ever seen in Greymouth took place at the Opora House last evening. The Mayor occupied the chair. A large number of ladies were present, including Lady Ward. Sir Joseph Ward, on rising, was heartily received. He said he f* It it bis duty to deliver an address iu response to the wishes of the people of Greymouth. Since his last visit many changes had taken place, and he regretted that time had worked changes. Ho referred to tho deaths of tho Hons. James Kerr and Conar, who had always taken a prominent part in local politics. Tracing the progress of the colony, tho speaker said, “When you think of the vast growing wealih of New Zealand wo can imagine what a grand future is before tho rising generation. 5 ’ If they left the Coast alone it could oven make up any deficiency that might occur through tho drop

in our wool, &c. Tho purchase of private estates amounted to about •100,000 acres, which had cost something like .£l.B} 1,000. Tho revenue derived was £72,781, tho interest paid being -£50,0130. The profit for tho year ending October, 1001, was £13,092. A farm of 500 acres was not a had area for one man to hold, but whoa you found u man owning I-OU/iuu i.eu-s It wag out nf tho rjnßation. If things hid been allowed to go on they would have found themselves in a like position to what Ireland was. Inferring to the produce exports, he said we could hold our own against any country, oven Denmark and the Argentine, ia the matter of produce. Tho Government had given away last year £138.000 in reductions in Customs duties, and still people said the Government wore increasing taxation. 'The Defence Department had the protection of about £170.000,000 of private property. This department showed a big increase of expenditure, but this was necessary owing to the stand tho colony

had taken in helping Great Britain, and they must take steps to protect their own chorea. Up to 31st December, 1901, increases were shown in all departments. The total receipts were £1.211,012, and for the enmo period tho previous year £1,010,020, an increase of £IBI,OOO. There was still three months to run, aud tho increase would bo a good deal greater, yet people still would say that tho colony was not advancing. The total amount authorised for public works expenditure had been spent in eight mouths, aud it was the duty of the Government to stop works after that vote was spout. He had been told to stop borrowing, but they must borrow to carry on productive works and finish tho railways now in course of construction. For tho past two or three years a wave of Imperialism bad passed over tho colony, and they had given their men and money to uphold the Ibig, and tho people at Homo would see it /loafed over a loyal people. Ho really was convinced that tho position of the colony was perfectly sound. The

way to arrive at the matter was to put receipts and expenditure together and boo the position. No member of the Ministry had ever interfered with the accounts of tho Treasury. Ho felt sure at the close of the year the forecast of tho Colonial Treasurer would bo verified. If tho holm of the colony was carefully handled the people would have assets as valuable es any country in the world. The speech was listened to with great attention, and was punctuated with cheers. A vote of thanks and implicit confidence in the Ministry was carried with cheering. Sir .! Ward goes to Hokitika on Monday, whore ho will be banqueted find stay several days. In the course of his ?pooch at a banquet hero he said Mr fleddon was the greatest man in Australasia,