SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16566, 2 June 1914, Page 8

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

SPEECH AT THAMES,

A HEARTY RECEPTION. [From Our Correspondent.] THAMES, June 1

Despite a torrential downpour of rain, which succeeded a very wet day, Sir Joseph Ward spoke to a crowded meeting at tho King's Theatre to-night. There were twelve or thirteen hundred persons present, including a large number of ladies. The Mayor, Mr H. Lowe, presided. Sir Joseph was received with loud applause when he appeared on tho platform. He referred to Mr Massey s recent speech at Thames, when tho Prime Minister had reiterated his statement that when he took* office ho found the Treasury chest depleted. Sir Joseph showed, as he had done from the public platform again and again, that the Prime Minister’s statement was incorrect. He pointed out that tho Hon J. Allen, tho -Minister of Finance, had proved this to lie the case in his first budget, while the “Otago Daily Times,” a recognised Conservative paper, had in a leading article also upheld Sir Joseph in this very important question by showing that his figures in regard to the finances when lie went out of office wero correct, and that he had loft a balance of £807,276. Sir Joseph then went on to refer to • tho prospectus issued by tho Massey Government when raising the recent £4.500,000 loan and quoted the information it contained as the finest certificate of character ho could possibly have received from his opponents. In regard to tho gift Dreadnought Sir JToseph again explained that lie provided for tlie payment by increasing tho tax on bank notes, the totalisator tax, and mainly by an increase in the death duties. They were the only sources of revenue from which the Dreadnought was being paid and the electors were deceitfully imposed upon before the last general election when a card was circulated declaring? that the poor worker and the poor farmer were paying for the battleship. In reply to an interjection Sir Joseph said that of course Mr Massey had voted foy the gift. “He had to follow me when there was a great lead given,” added tho speaker amidst tremendous applause. In criticising the Massey Government's toy navy scheme, Sir Joseph said ho believed in internal defence, but he did not believe in the system running away with us. (Applause.) Already the expenditure had gone up from £400,000 per annum, as recommended by Lord Kitchener, to £505,000 Referring to recent indications that there is to be a system of proportional representation introduced this year for the cities, Sir Joseph said the Prime Minister had not made a declaration, but the matter had certainly been suggested in certain quarters. The people wore entitled to know what system of voting was to he enforced. How long were the people to be given to adapt themselves io the contemplated change? What right had the Government to prevent the people in city electorates from selecting candidates who would be able to fight for the seats under the grouping of electorates? It was not in the interests of the people that the Government kept back this information. At the conclusion of his address Sir Joseph received a tremendous ovation, tho applause lasting some considerable time. , „ „ On the motion of Mr F. H. Claxton, ex-Mayor, the following resolution was carried unanimously, and amid a scene of much enthusiasm, “That this meeting of inhabitants of Thames thanks Sir Joseph Ward for his interesting and instructive address, expresses confidence in him as leader of the Liberal Party in New Zealand, and trusts he will secure a majority at next election.”