SIR JOSEPH WARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11874, 28 January 1902, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

[by ,TELEGRAPH. ASSOCIATION'.] > Hokitika, Monday. "■'■■ Sir Joseph Ward, accompanied by LadyWard, arrived at half-past six. from Greymouth, having travelled via Kumara, Goldsborough, and Stafford. There was a large assemblage at the railway station, and they lustily cheered the Minister.

■ * - THE BANQUET. To-night - the visitors were entertained at a banquet by the Borough Council. There was a numerous attendance, including it large number of ladies, and the function was a brilliant success, . .' .. ' A feature was made of the toast of " The Empire's Forces." The Mayor, in an eloquent speech, proposed the toast, which was received with the greatest- enthusiasm. His loyal remarks were received with demonstrations of approval, and the mention of Mr. Chamberlain's name provoked the heartiest applause. ' Sir J. Ward, in the course of his reply, to the toast of his health, thanked the people for the splendid reception accorded him. He regretted that his time was too short to visit all parts of Westland. . He spoke of the good work done by the member for the district, the Right Hon. Mr. Seddon,

and said he was pleased to note how well the Premier had been spoken of throughout the whole elect-orate. Referring to politics, he said the present Administration were in the happy position of living long enough to see the results of their legislation. He thought that it was generally agreed thatmuch of the legislation passed under derision had now come to be appreciated where it was first derided. He spoke of the manner in which the present Government had directed the welfare of the various industries to the benefit of the people, and went on to refer to the cutting up of large estates, pointing out how settlement had advanced. Speaking of the outcry against State-owned coal mines, he instanced that the State was already running railways, telegraphs, insurance, Public Trust, advances to settlers, all of which were State institutions. He said the coal system of the colony was not satisfactory. The Government would not flinch from doing that which they believed to be right, and would work a State mine to the benefit of the colony. He realised that the time was not far distant when the Midland line would be completed. He recognised that trade and tourist traffic would accrue from the line. He affirmed a strong belief that in 10 or 15 years the West Coast would be better than it ever had been. Land settlement would be an immense advantage. There was good dairying land on the West Coast, and it must reap benefit. He went on to speak of the nation-making era of the colony, comparing the present-day facilities enjoyed by 800,000 of a population with older countries. He referred optimistically to the general outlook before the country, and spoke of the commercial necessity of quick steamers and cheap freight to enable the colony to com-' pete in.the markets of the world. He predicted a trade alliance within 25 years between England, the colonies, and America. He expected this would not be brought about before'' commercial war forced the position. Kruger's action in attempting to drive the British into the sea had been the cause of bringing the Empire into closer touch, which prepared the way for the test to come in the future. He referred to the unity of the nation, and the value of the alliance before the world. He impressed upon his audience the necessity for being hopeful. The speech was enthusiastically received, the speaker being repeatedly applauded.