SIR JOSEPH WARD

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 24

SIR JOSEPH WARD

i VISIT TO KAWHIA. KAWHIA, February 1. Sir Joseph Ward, who has not been in Kawhia for 10 years, visited the district today, at the invitation of the County Council and the Chamber of Commerce. ' The weather was showery, and a 65-mile motor journey from Hamilton was a little unpleasant owing to tho oar skidding on the unmetalled portions of the roads. Sir Joseph Ward received deputations at Teranamoa and Oparau en route, and was accorded a splendid reception at Kawhia, the whole township turning out to honour him. The Minister was entertained at luncheon by the looal publio bodies, Mr A. W. Babbago (chairman of the County Council) presiding. The proceedings were most enthusiastic. In responding to the toast of ' The National Government, ' Sir Joseph Ward said he did not believe the people realised the necessity for the establishment of a Government'that would be strong enough to do everything required to win the war. —(Applause.) The financial operations alone wero of such &■ character that no single party could have carried them through. When the National Government was formed the needs, of the British Empire required New Zealand to join hands across fire seas for maintaining the highest and best traditions of the British race.—(Applause.) Great problems had to be solved after the war. We had to have increased land settlement and proper provision made lor tho main arterial roads.—(Applause.) During the afternoon the Minister received a number of deputations. In replying 'to representations concerning the postal services, he said he hoped "he would not give them a shock when he-predicted that rn after the termination of the war the ■elopment of air maohines would_ be so quick that the mails would be carried between the principal cities of NeOr Zealand by aeroplanesT and into the back-country districts as welj. He felt positive that this would be so. The development taking place in regard to air services was marvellous. He also spoke of what he had seen of the development of motor lorries in France, where 45,000 lorries were used for transport, etc., at one time. He predicted that that form of transport would be largely developed in New Zealand after the war. Ho suggested a national servioe controlled by the Government, thus linking up the villages and towns with the main railways of the dominion. —(Applause.) In the evening a social function was held* in the Town Hall, Sir Joseph Ward giving an interesting address on the war and what he saw on his visit to England and France. Sir Joseph will leave by motor at 5 o'dook In the morning for Hamilton and Auckland.