SIR JOSEPH WARD

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8737, 20 May 1914, Page 7

SIR JOSEPH WARD

SPEECH AT HASTINGS NOTABLE SCENES OF ENTHUSIASM. Special to the "Times.” NAPIER, May 19. Tremendous enthusiasm was evinced at Hastings to-day on the occasion of tho visit of Sir Joseph Yard. Although It was raining in torrents, and had been pouring all day, the Princess Theatre was crowded at a little after 7 o’clock, and when Sir Joseph and Lady Ward arrived at 8 o’clock people were going away, not able to get room even on the stage, which was crowded. The Mayor (Mr Hart) presided. Sir Joseph was received with prolonged applause and cheers, and had an exceptionally good hearing, the audience being entirely in sympathy witn him throughout. His speech vas on lines similar to the on© delivered at Napier the previous evening. The sneaker held the floor for two hours, and when he resumed his seat ho was accorded an ovation. A vote of thanks and confidence was moved by Mr. G. S. Clapham, the resolution congratulating Sir Joseph Ward on his able leadership and pledging the meeting to support the selected candidate of the party. This was carried unanimously amidst a scene of tremendous enthusiasm, and the meeting closed with loud and prolonged cheers for Sir Joseph and Lady Ward. Before the meeting Sir Joseph Ward was entertained at dinner hy the Hastings branch of the Liberal League. The Mayor presided, and there was a very large attendance. The gathering concluded with cheers for the Liberal leader.

WHY MONEY WAS DEAR. Press Association. NAPIER, May 19. Sir Joseph Ward addressed an audience of between 800 and 900 electors at the Princess Theatre, Hastings, this evening. The heavy experienced during the last three or four days still continued, yet notwithstanding this every seat in tho theatre was occupied, and standing room had to bo refused to lato-comers. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward wore accorded a great reception on arrival, and the applause was renewed when Sir Joseph arose to speak. Although suffering from a cold ho spoke strongly for two hours. There were no interjections, and the applause which punctuated his address showed that he had tho meeting with him. (Sir Joseph spoke mainly on tho lines of his open-air meeting at Christchurch on May 4th, and broke very little ground. Speaking concerning tho Prime Minister’s statements that when the Reform Government came into power they foun'd the Treasury chests depleted. Sir Joseph stated that the Premier did not tell tho people the real truth as to the cause of the tightness of money that he experienced after ho attained office. He did not tell them the scarcity of money was due to the fact that deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank had fallen very considerably during their first year of office. Sir Joseph repeated his previous remarks regarding the naval policy of New Zealand, and added . that he would use every means in his power between now and the election to induce the people to protest against a local navy being established. Dealing with advances to workers and cheap money ho stated he had received letters from all parts of the country telling him of the difficulties facing borrowers in obtaining loans, and complaining of the high rate of interest asked. Since he had come to Hawke’s Bay he had received two such letters from persons who paid 8 per cent, and procuration fees of 1J per cent. Referring to tho watersiders’ strike ho believed in every man and woman having the right to strike, though he did not consider the strike the best method of obtaining what they considered themselves entitled to. He repeated the assertion that tho strike could have been settled in two days. There were two Acts on the statute book which could have been put into operation and prevented the strike from spreading. He did not believe in syndicalism, and prior to last election ho- had told candidates standing in the interest of the party now known as "Red Feds” that he could not subscribe to their policy. The result "'as that at the second ballot they voted for Reform Oandidates.

Referring; to the Hawke’s Bay seat, he' said thit during the last few weeks meetings had been hold with a view to crystallizing the opinion of tho electors in the matter of the selection of a Liberal candidate. Delegates from all parts of Hawke's Bay had assembled to-day and had unanimously selected Mr Robert McNab (loud cheers) —who, they considered, had the best chance of winning the seat. Five concessions had been made by other aspirants for selection who were entitled to consideration, and who by standing aside had set a worthy example to those in other electorates. They had displayed a fine spirit which would help tho Liberal cause. The following resolution was carried unanimously and with loud cheers;— “That this meeting conveys a hearty vote of thanks to Sir Joseph Ward for his address, expresses confidence in his party, and congratulates him on his able leadership and pledges itself to support the selected candidate at tho coming election.”