Sir J. G. Ward Interviewed

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXV, Issue 10019, 9 December 1908, Page 1

Sir J. G. Ward Interviewed

THE FINANCIAL OUTLOOK. (Pee Press Association.) Christ-church, December 8. Sir Joseph Ward and Lady Ward arrived in Christehurch from Wellington this morning, and went on to Invercargill by the first express. »Sir Joseph will attend the Southland show this week, and he and Lady Ward will receive presentations from southern friends. Speaking to a reporter who met him in Lyttelton he said that there were many signs that •the tightness of money which had caused a little anxiety this year was passing away, and that- improved- conditions prevailed. Money was easing, wool was rising, and the outlook was good. Discussing the position of assisted immigrants, he said that he had sent by cable instructions to London that no Government assistance in regard, to passages should be given to any pel's oils except small farmers and domestic helps. He 6aid that fairly large numbers of people were coming to Xew Zealand on their own account. It was desirable that those who came should be gradually absorbed before further assistance was given except to the two classes he had' named l . Speaking of the elections, he reiterated his statements that he was very well satisfied with the result. "I do not know," he said, "whenour party has ever gone to the country under more difficult conditions. There was a tightness in the money market that- was accentuated by the fact that practically all the lending institutions had combined to refuse new business. What business was done with them was at an advanced rate. The one exception to that was the Government Advances to Settlers Department, ■which maintained the old rate of interest-. On the top of that there was the disorganisation of the flax market, and- thfen there was the disturbance of the timber trade, largely caused by a decrease in the rate at which buildings were- being erected in the towns and cities, and also by the tightness of money and the importation of Oregon timber. In addition, there was the fall in wool, and on the top of them all there came the dairy regulations. Many of our members who are farmers have assured me that these regulations were necessary, but I am eorrv to say that information in my possession shows that representations were made in respect to that- matter which are not creditable to those who used them during the recent- contest. I will not, however, deal with that now. It is clear that the conditions under which we went to the country were not favorable to the Government. An Administration is always blamed for conditions which at the time of an election are not satisfactory, while its opponents declare that it is responsible for the country's successes or for general prosperity. When all these points are considered, I feel that we are justified in .being satisfied with the Tesult. We have a splendid majority, and I look forward with hope to being able to carry out a policy of progress, which will ■ help the general development of the country."