THE COLONIAL TREASURER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1264, 21 May 1896, Page 34

THE COLONIAL TREASURER.

Notwithstanding a perfect deluge of rain all day,tho Stratford Town Hall was crowded on May 14 to hear the I lon J. G . Ward’s political address. Mr Monkhouse, chairman of the County Council, presided. Mr Ward’s address was similar to that in other towns, and ho fully explained the finances of the Colony and controverted the charges of the Opposition. He defended at length the policy of the present Government, and contrasted by tho latest returns tho figures showing tho prosperity and progress of this district with ti e condition of things under the previous Administration. lie spoke of the settlement of the difficulties of tho cooperative motion the East road, and said that in future those on earthwork of a difficult nature would bo paid at rates equal to 8s per clay.

Tho large audience frequently applauded Mr Ward, and there was not a single unfavourable interruption. At the conclusion of his address Mr Walter Syines proposed a vote of thanks and confidence in t he present Government. 4 his was seconded by Mr W. A. Ellis, and carried unanimously. Mr Ward was later on entertained at a banquet by the principal townspeople and sol t lers of the district.

At. Eltliam Mr Ward spoke in the afternoon to a large ni'etiug, and a very enthusiastic vote of thanks and confidence in tho Government was passed. Mr Ward received a number of deputations at Stratford and Eltliam. The Hon J. G. Ward addressed a large meeting at Hawora last week, speaking for two hours and a half. Tho mooting was a magnificent success, and a hearty vote of thanks and confidence was carried almost unanimously.

Tho Colonial Treasurer addressed on Friday one of tho largest audiences over assembled to hear a political speech at W anganui, tho hall being packed to its capacity, and largo numbers being unablo to gain admission long before tho Mayor took tho chair. Mr Ward defended himself and the Government against tho charges of the Opposition, and carried tho meeting with him from start to finish. Ho dealt trenchantly with tho misrepresentations made by his opponents of his actions in connection with his visit to England, the bank legislation, and the financial condition cf tho Colony. Ho was repeatedly vociferously applauded throughout the speech, which lasted two hours, and at its close lie received an all but unanimous vote of thanks for his address and of confidence in the Government, tho solitary

“No” coining from a jocular elector who put in his negative as a joke. The speech was listened to with close attention throughout, and had a marked effect on many who have hitherto believed that there must have been some truth in the charges made against himself and his colleagues, but who on hearing his defence heartily joined in the applause which the meeting accorded him when tho vote of thanks and confidence was carried.