SIR JOSEPH WARD

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12806, 2 June 1914, Page 8

SIR JOSEPH WARD

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION AT THAMES. Press Association—By Telegraph. THAMES, June 1. Sir Joseph Ward addressed a crowded meeting in the King's Theatre to-night despite the fact that rain fell hard all the evening. The Mayor presided. The speaker received a splendid reception, his remarks being constantly punctuated with applause. His speech was on the lines of others he has delivered in different parts of the country. In referring to the. suggested electoral reform for cities, he said the people should know at once what was proposed. How long were the people to be given to adapt themselves to the change? Referring to finance, he again repudiated Mr Massey's statement that the Treasury chests were depleted when the Reform Party came into office. He showed that there was a balance of £807,270 to credit, and this had been shown to be so by the Hon. Jas. Allen in his first Budget, and upheld by the Otago Daily Times. At the conclusion of his speech Sir Joseph received an ovation, the applause lasting for some considerable time. On the motion of Mr F. H. Claxton, ex-Mayor, the following resolution was carried by acclamation amid a scene of enthusiasm: —"That this meeting of the inhabitants of Thames thanks Sir Jos. Ward for his interesting and instructive address, and expresses its confidence in him as Leader of the Liberal Party, and trusts that he will secure a majority at next election.'*