NELSON WELCOMES SIR JOSEPH WARD

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6918, 25 May 1929, Page 6

NELSON WELCOMES SIR JOSEPH WARD

FORTY FAMILIES SETTLED. Per Press Association. NELSON, Last Night. The Prime Alinistcr (Sir Joseph Ward) attended a citizens’ banquet in liis honour this evening and addressed cne of tho largest crowds seen in Nelson for a long time. The city streets were gaily illuminated with coloured lights and the preseneo of tho Regimental band and Pipe band enlivened the proceedings. The appearance of Sir Joseph Ward on the balcony of tho Alasonic hotel was the sign for hearty applause . and cheers.

The Premier confined his remarks mainly to the benefits to the district and New Zealand generally which would follow the completion of the line to the West Coast, linking up with tho South Island railway system and from the completion of the South Island main trunk rail wav on the cast coast, also the construction of main lines in ... • „w'i j xsmiiu.

He had been advised that eight properties, on which 1(5 persons were living, had been acquired and would be subdivided to support 40 families. In that way, tho government intended to put more people on the land, to increase production and reduce unemployment. At the conclusion of his remarks, further cheers were given for Sir Joseph and for tho Hon. H. Atmore. member for Nelson. The Premier was escorted through the crowded streets to the banquet by tho two bands.