SIR JOSEPH WARD

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1929, Page 4

SIR JOSEPH WARD

NELSON WELCOME. RAILWAYS PROGRAMME. (J’y Telegraph—Per Press Association.) NELSON, .May 24. The Prime .Minister was accorded a _ most enthusiastic civic reception at Nelson this afternoon, by a crowded attendance, of citizens. Speeches of ; welcome were made by the Mayor (-Mr W. J- Moffatt), Chairman of the Waimea County Council (Mr T. Corder), and others. They stressed the humanitarian legislation for which Sir J. Ward was responsible. Emphasis was also put on the State Advances inaugurated by Sir J. Ward, intense gratification was expressed with the Government’s policy of completing the main trunk railways at an early date, thus promoting the prospects of tho whole Dominion. The Minister of Education (Mr Atmorc), who is member if or Nelson, also received a great ovation.

Replying, Sir J. Ward referred to the fact that it was Empire Day, commemorating the birthday of Queen Victoria, in whose reign the advancement and development of the Empire was so marked, and who herself did so much in that direction. It was right and proper Quit her memory should be commemorated for all time.

Sir J. Ward dealt largely with the railway policy, stating that the-rapid completion of mam lines was placed in the forefront of the Government’s policy last election, and received strong endorsement from the majority of the people. It was the fixed determination of the Government to carry out that policy, thus promoting the welfare of the whole Dominion.

•Sir J. Ward will be entertained at a banquet in the evening. Sir J. Ward said that he hoped to complete the South Island railway in three or four years, the Nelson-West Coast railway in three or four years, and the Gisborne-Nopier line in four or five years. The Taranaki-Auckland line would also he completed at the

same rate. • j . Referring to the South Island railway, connecting Picton with, the South, Sir Joseph Ward said that the Government chose the coastal route, as was done with the Gisborne-Napier line, for several reasons. The route was of less importance than the completion. Settlers could use motors and lorries to connect with the railway. BANQUET FOR PREMIERNELSON, Afay 24. Over three hundred of the public attended Nelson’s banquet tendered to Sir Joseph Ward to-night. The Pre- ‘ mier was greeted with prolonged cheers and applause. Great enthusiasm was garding the Government’s decision to - complete main line railways. Sir Joseph Ward replied on lines similar to addresses given in the district, representing the Government’s h'-'id determination'to finish the' South .Island East Coast Main Trunk, and Auison-WesD Coast railways, together with main lines in the North Island. OPEN-AIR ADDRESSES. ) TO LARGE CROWD. • \ NELSON, May 24. The Prime Alinister is attending. a citizens’ banquet in his honour this evening. Sir Joseph Ward this evening addressed one of the largest crowds seen at Nelson for a leng time. The City streets were gaily illuminated with coloured c-ortric lights, and the presence of the Regimental hand and the Ripe Band enlivened the proceedings. The appearance of Sir Joseph Ward on the balcony of the Masonic Hotel was the sign for hearty clapping, including cheers. Sir Joseph Ward confined 'his remarks mainly to the benefits to the district and to New Zealand generally, which would follow the completion of the railway line to the West Coast, thus linking Nelson up with the fe>outh Island railway system; and also.from the completion of the South Island Main Trunk Railway on the East Coast. He said the construction of the. main . lines on the North Island would also be pushed on. Sir Joseph said that he had been advised that eight properties, on which sixteen persons were at present living, had been acquired by the Government. These would be subdivided,' and they would then support forty settlers. There were forty families that woulcU he put on the land in that way. Tho Government intended to put more people on the land, so as to increase the country’s production and to reduce the unemployment. At tho conclusion of his speech, further cheers were given for Sir Joseph Ward, and also for the Hon. Mr Atmore, the member for Nelson. Jltfj Sir Joseph Ward was then escorted through crowded and illuminated ? streets to the banquet by the two bands.