SPEECH BY SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10957, 27 April 1907, Page 2

SPEECH BY SIR JOSEPH WARD.

DEFENCE' AND IMMIGRATION,

FASTER MAIL SERVICE. WELLINGTON, tliis day. The following has been supplied to tlie Press Association by the Government: "Iri the course of Jiis speech at the Royal Colonial Institute dinner, Sir Joseph Ward said the - deliberations on defence matters at -the Conference were most important, and the prospects of a workable scheme for the interchange of Imperial British officers and units for education purposes would "prove valuuble. He strongly favored the British navy being under the entire control of the Admiralty at London i New Zealand to support the British navy by way of subsidy, and if necessary increased subsidy. He thought it quite possible the ships m New 7*eakuia waters pou.w be manned entirely Dy New Zealand crews, and so tliey wotild avoid two sets of wages being paid to" British and colonial crewß, and thus a source of irritation and friction would be removed. New Zealand would not object to tlie subsidy; being devoted entirely to providing crews if the Admiralty so desired. He strongly favored ah active policy to bring the navy at Home and abroad to the highest point of strength and perfection m times of peace, so as to be fully equipped tor any expected emergency. At the Colonial Conference he was glad to hear the views of Lord Tweedmouth re docks and coaling stations. New Zealand iri that respect would not be behind; and with the co-operation . of the Home authorities excellent facilities m both these matters could be provided. Already the Gilliope dock at Auckland was available for ships of war, and if the Admiralty desired to have further docks m future for strategic use he suggested the desirability of stating what the length and size of ships m future m New Zealand waters would be, and tlmt the harbor authorities who control the docks should have this information furnished to them, and he had no doubt that if circumstances required they would co-operate_ with the Admiralty m making . provision for the future. Coal amongst the finest- qualities m the world was available at the mines at Greymouth and Westport. The country recognised the importance of coal development, and had pecome responsible for about four hundred thousand pounds of funds for the development of these ports. Extensions and expansions would be pror videdfor. It was entirely a matter of money to make provision for arty warships to coal at these harbors, and he would be glad to confer with the First Lord of the Admiralty upon tliis or any other matter calculated to improve the. position of the siiips patrolling, these seas. He recognised tlie maritime struggle for empire, if one ever occurred, would be most likely near Ehgland, and the victory, whenever it took place, would be vital to all parts of the Empire. He thought they ought to help as far as possible to strengthen - the outlyijjg portions of tlie great Empire. New Zealand was not . prepared to enter upon a policy of building battleships or sailing its own navy. It had to be remembered the colony was young : that a great internal development policy was necessary for years to come, for providing not alone for the people at present m New Zealand, but for a large increase, m popu. latum as the years went on and settlement developed the country. This was as important to England as New Zealand, and even if he favored such a policy, H'hicli he did not, there was a limitation to the powers of a country like New Zealand m incurring heavy financial responsibilies. Within limited means they would do their part, but for some years, to come it must be m the direction of helping and supporting the British navy as against any ambitions, of a local navy scheme. Australia was entitled to give effect to such a policy as they considered best, and his friend Mr Deakin would have his support m what they desired to dp, although he could not see bis way to make it apply to New Zealand. . In reference to the army proposals, Sir Josepli Ward considered that a uniform scheme of guns, ammunition, and war material was most desirable, so .-that the same weapons and ammunition could be made nse of m times of aclion. He expressed approval of the work so far done at the Con.ei.noc, though important matters were still to be dealt with. He urged that m addition to the sentimental side, efforts should be made m a- practical direction to bring the Motherland and its sons beyond the seas closer tog.tll'.T. . He suggested the import- • ance of' Australia, and New Zealand having some 6ay iri the Board of Control of the Suez Canal. There was growing an increasing trade through it from both countries. It was part of tlie world's highway.' arid those portions of the Empire that used it should have some say m its management and control, tic did not ask for nominal representation, but they sliould. be allowed to purchase a portion of the Suez shares to entitle them to representation on the Board of Control. He urged that Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand should set earnestly to work to provide faster steamers a cross the Atlantic and Pacific, and to bring Australia and New Zealand to within twenty days of . London. This was quite possible — four days to Canada, four days across the Continent, and twelve days across the Pacific to New Zealand. Provided they went for steamers of modern size, tuuld, and speed, it was capable of. being performed. One of the greatest troubles of the colonies was tbe distance from the Old. 'Land. . If it were possible to. have the opportunity of doing the . journey ■ m three weeks 'thousands would travel -.-where hundreds do so now. The benefits of trade that would ensue, the knowledge of the -.country fliat must follow visits of our respective peoplewould be invaluable. Then again, to bring us closer together -.we .wanted cheaper cable communication. He 'declared his belief that it would pay " England, India, Canada, South Africa. Australia, and New Zealand if even they could not own all the cables betwpen their respective countries, to have the rates reduced to Is, or even [ sixpence a- word, and to guarantee the present returns' that were accruing from busi. ness passing over tho lines. He included the Pacific cable m any suggested guarantee, and his opinion was that though a loss at first would occur, the reduced rates would mean such- an enormous increase of traffic that the- guarantee of the Motherland and othe<- portions of the Empire to which he referred would soon be a nominal :one. They could not get such enormous advantages over a world-wide Empire without some sacrifice, and he believed tliat "with their power and prestige the course suggested would involve comparatively little sacrifice. Speaking' on emigration to New Zealand at the Conference, Sir Joseph Ward isaid that to entertain indiscriminate emigration, would not be approved m New Zealand, and though he was' a believer m helping to obtain a steady increase of population from Great Britain, they had to be careful lo guard against unsuitable people being sent to the country . it was as much

m the interests of Great Britain to retain the best clas*. of her people as to simicl them abroad, and upon the assumption they desired to send a class the majority of whom wet* not the best suited to remain m England, he could not agree to any selection of people for New Zealand excepting -under responsible supervision and control of the High Commissioner for New Zealand and his staff. He thought that was New Zealand's best way to proceed. New Zealand wag glad to receive people from Britain if they were of a suitable class and had some capital. In two years 6600 people had received passages at reduced rates, and had taken capital into £few Zealand amounting to £276,000, and they had m addition, with, out assistance, also drawn ' upwards of 50,000 to the colony from British possessions. He did not advocate any indiscriminate sending out of unskilled labor who had neither means nor vocation, and wlio would merely flood the labor market. There was an opening for farmers and others with capital, also for domestic ser. vants, and if the system of control and supervision now carried out as well as the nominated p.-actice which had been m operation for some years were maintained, lie thought tliey could meet the reasonable requirement of the colonies. H preferred that the expansion of the colony should go on on steady lines without upheavals or the possibility of turning back.