SPEECH BY SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1916, Page 3

SPEECH BY SIR JOSEPH WARD.

CUAUIS FOR A BIG NAVY.

Australian ami X Z. Cable Association. LONDON, November 29. Sir Joseph Ward addressed a large meeting of members of the Insurance Institute, at Gresham College, London. The Lord Mayor of London and many prominent city men were present. Sir Joseph Ward urged that in the future reconstruction of the Empire there could not bo any interference with local autonomy. Although an Imperial Parliament might be a long way off they might now work for some effective Imperial Council or Defence Council before an organic Parliament was possible. There must be devolution in Britain to pave the way for a federal legislature. The overseas Dominions had a right to a voice as lo whether the nation should go to war or what the peace terms should be. Sir Joseph quoted a speech delivered by Mr Asquith at the Imperial Conference held in 1911, in which the Prime Minister stated that an Imperial Parliament would impair the authority of the British Parliament. Sir Joseph Ward added that since then a great evolution in opinion on the subject had taken place. Mr Bonar Law had declared that as a result of the war the time was coming when the overseas Dominions would share in the Government of the Empire with Britain. It was to be hoped that before the war ended some modus vivendi would be established. Sir Joseph Ward advocated the creation of a great Imperial Navy. While ho was proinl of what Australia had done, he considered that none o£ the overseas Doininons could bear the cost or separate navies! The new territories in the Pacific demanded a greater fleet there *in the future. Dealing , with economics, Sir Joseph Ward said there must, be great industrial changes. Tlie colossal debt which every part of the Empire bad to bear made it the boimden duty of each to* help the others. Mr Lloyd George's financial scheme had early in the war proved that it was practicable to have Empire* partnership when the war was over. The heart of the Chancellor of the Exchequer should be softened on the question of the double income tax. He should not compel a man who paid a tax in one part of the Empire to pay another. ■Sir Joseph Ward urged consideration or" an emigration scheme to keep the people within the Empire.