PUBLIC RECEPTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13940, 27 June 1907, Page 7

PUBLIC RECEPTION.

MESSAGE FROM THE KING,

SPEECH BY. SIR J. WARD.

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Jnno 26. A public reception to tho Primo Minister took placo in tho Town Hall this evening. Though tho weather was not very favourable tho building was crowded, and when Sir Joseph, with Lady Ward and daughter, appeared to tho strains of "Homo sweet home," accompanied l by tho other Ministers, he received an enthusiastic welcome, which was renewed later on when ha roso to speak. After a 6hort musical programme, tho Mayor (Hon. T. W. Hislop), who presided, referred to Sir Joseph Ward's ablo services to New Zealand and_ the Empire. Any person taking part in such a conference as tho' Primo Minister had returned from must feel that he had great responsibilities on his shoulders. He cordially welcomed' Sir Joseph Ward and Lady Ward on behaJf of the citizens of Wellington. (Applause.) Tho Primo Minister, on rising to speak, was loudly applauded, the 'audienco giving three cheers. Ho prefaced his remarks by thanking them for the enthusiastic welcome. Tho Toception they wero honouring' him with would do credit, to people in any part of tho world. Ho rcforrfld with enthusiasm to the reception lie met with in Australia, which was an honour to Now Zealand, Ho read tho following message from tho King: — Greetings. I desiro to express my deep interest in tho welfare and pleasuro at the rapid strides New Zealand is making in industrial and social progress. I wish New Zealand and her people all prosperity and happiness. Referring to tho Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Sir Joseph Ward said ho regretted his illhealth. It had been dccidcd that ho ehoulil tako a holiday for six months, which would bo given by tho people of Now Zealand witli tho greatest good feeling. Ho hoped Mr Hall-oJncs wpuld return restored to health. Ho referred with regret to the death of Mr E. M. Smith, tho Hon. W. M. Bolt, tho Hon. Lancelot Walker, and Sir John Hall. Ho would probably arrango tho business of tho Houso so as to adjourn until Tuesday next to enable members to attend tho funeral of Sir John Hall. He also referred to tho death of two prominent public servants, Mr Gray and Mr Hay. Touching on municipal aflairß, he said he considered tho title of Lord Mayor should bo conferred oil the mayors of tho four chicf cities of New Zealand. Sir Joseph Ward also touched ou matters connected with tho Navigation Conference on the linos of reports already cabled, and referred 1 to the Imperial Conference. He said lio had maintained that New Zealand should enact its own laws as regards its being a whito man's land, and the conference had carried this. He also briefly referred to tho preference ' debate at- Iho Imperial Conference, and explained that no resolutions could bo worth anything unices they were unanimous, a point which was not generally understood. Therefore, if any ono representative stood out it was useless to go to a division. If carried, it could have no effect. Under theso circumstances, as tho British Government considered it Intd, and in effect did have, a .mandate in favour o' Frectrade, it was evident from the beginning that preference could not bo carried. It was true nil the Premiers but Mr Botha supported it, but in the face of the attitude of the Government it could not lie forccd on it and a resolution would liavo been valueless He took pride in the fact that the whole of the resolutions submitted by New Zealand at the conference wero carried. Sir Joseph Ward &a.id that at a gathering like the present, and with Parliament meeting to-morrow, he oould not touch on political maters, but he would say that when they read the Governor's Speech to-morrow t.liey would find in it. ono item that, would bo a matter of von' great pleasure jto every political clas6 in New Zealand. More' than that ho could not say just. then. Referring to the other colonies—Canada, Australia, ■ etc., —!io said, though tlnse were larger than Now Zealand, the latter carried more shepp to the acre end produced better commodities. He eulogiwd the advertising practices adopted by Canada throughout Great Britain. New Zealand would have to adopt tho same measures. Speaking of tho attitude he adopted towards Australia's proposal of an independent navy, t.ho Prime Minister strongly deprecated the' idea of Now Zealand cutting loose from the protection it afforded, and spoke trenchantly of the inadvisability of attempting to depend on tho local marine forces and seeing the British ships removed to Singapore or Borne Eastern station. In concluding his address, which was punctuated with applause throughout, Sir Joseph Ward said he dosired to thank his private secretary (Mr Hislop) and Dr Fitehett for the great assistance, they had rendered him. and also to New Zealand members of I he Maritime Conference. He also mentioned that a tablet in memory of the late Mr Scddon would Iks erected in tho crypt of St. Paul's by tlia New Zealanders at Home, sido by side with the memorial to that other distinguished New Zealander, Sir (Iconic Grov. At the conclusion of the gathering flashlight photograph; wero taken of the great audience, which numbered nearly 3000.