SIR JOSEPH WARD

Southland Times, Issue 19898, 17 June 1926, Page 8

SIR JOSEPH WARD

RETURN TO PARLIAMENT ENTRY CAUSES A STIR GREETED BY OLD COLLEAGUES. (From Our Special Reporter.) Wellington, June 16. Perhaps the most interesting feature of to-day’s opening of Parliament, usually a most uninteresting affair, was the appearance of Sir Joseph Ward in the House after an absence of seven years. Up till the last moment there was some doubt whether he would be present as he had just arrived in Auckland by the Ulimaroa from Sydney on Tuesday. However, after the majority of members had taken their places in the House he was seen to slip in unostentatiously from the left and take his place. His entry, however, caused quite a stir and several of his old colleagues immediately left their seats and pressed forI ward to shake the former Premier by the ' hand. Sir Joseph and the veteran Reformer, the Hon. R. A. Wright, were among the last to be sworn in, and as Sir Joseph was returning to his place the Prime Minister went over and greeted him and the two conversed for quite a considerable period. Sir Joseph was in a happy mood, laughing apd joking with everyone. He appears to be in fine health after his trip in Australia. When the usually dull and formal business of electing the Speaker began, Sir Joseph enlivened the proceedings with a speech which sent repeated ripples of laughter round the House. “I rise for the purpose of supporting the election of Mr. Statham to the position of Speaker” said Sir Joseph, “because Parliament is representative of all sections of the community and in an important matter such as this it is right that others besides members of the Government should speak. On my last appearance in this House I led the Opposition. Now Ihm a complete party in myself. lam in the happy position of being responsible to no one in Parliament. I select my own Whips and I hold no caucus on this occasion, therefore, I can speak with complete independence. I know that Mr. Statham will not be swayed by the utterances of Mr. Dickson and Sir George Hunter but he will remember my utterances as coming from the only strong and independent party in this House. I have sat. under some great speakers in this House, including Sir Maurice O’Rourke, Sir Arthur Guiness and Sir Frederick Lang. Perhaps I gave them a little trouble at times but I can in all sincerity say that they were men of fine judgment and great impartiality. I have not sat under Mr. Statham, but from what I have heard of him I feel confident that he will live up to the precedent established by his great predecessors.” Sir Joseph added that New Zealand Parliaments had always been particularly fortunate in the choice of men to fill this very important office. “I do not think” he said, “that there has ever been a resolution passed in this House condemning the action of the Speaker.” Sir Joseph has secured a good position in the House, being in the front bench on the left of the Speaker next the aisle, an admirable spot for catching the Speaker’s eye. Seated with him is a member with an equally remarkable, if less distinguished political career, Mr. H. Atmore. Sir Joseph has also been fortunate in securing for himself a commodious room in the old wooden wing of the buildings, which was formerly Government House. The room was formerly for the use of Independent members. “It is now the headquarters of the Liberal Party” said Sir Joseph with a smile. LOOKING WELL. ARRIVAL IN WELLINGTON. INTERESTING COMMENTS ON AUSTRALIA. (From Our Special Reporter). Wellington, June 16. Looking in the best of health after his trip to Australia, Sir Joseph Ward arrived in Wellington yesterday to attend the Parliamentary session. Sir Joseph is a keen admirer of Australian people and he has many interesting ! comments to make on the progress that has taken 'place in their country during recent years and the problems that lie . before them. “Most New Zealanders,” said Sir Joseph, “get from their newspapers an impression that Australia is the land of strikes. They too often fail to realise the remarkable prosperity and progressiveness of their neighbours across the Tasman. These strikes are no doubt regrettable and costly but they do not hinder the industrial development of the country to the extent that is generally imagined.” Sir Joseph said he was particularly impressed with the manner in which Australians, both the general public and influential business men, supported their secondary industries and the extensive use that was made of protective duties. He quoted the case of one steel concern which he visited. It had been established only four years ago, yet the assets were now £550,000 and the liabilities under £60,00. The mushroom growth of the cities impressed Sir Joseph, very great changes having taken place since his last visit 14 months ago. In Sydney a marked American influence was at work. The city was cramped for space and the tendency towards “skyscraper” architecture was very noticeable. The founders of Sydney had never anticipated when they laid out the town that it would one day have a population of over 1,000,000 inhabitants and as a result they have to face some grave problems. Traffic congestion has been particularly severe in Sydney for some years past and even the “one-way” system of regulation has failed to cope with the situation. They are now constructing a big system of underground railways which, in the opinion of Sir Joseph, will ultimately supplant tramways entirely. The construction of the harbour bridge, at present the most spectacular undertaking in Sydney, said Sir Joseph, had been affected bv the introduction of the 44-hour week in Australia, something like £1,000,000 having been added to the cost. This addition would have to be borne by the Government as the contractors were protected against such eventualities. It was expected that the bridge would be completed in about five years’ time. “In New Zealand, as in Australia,” continued Sir Joseph, “the greatest difficulty in the way of industrial development is the lack of population but this is a problem that will have to be tackled cautiously. ! The rushing in of immigrants is no solution because it is liable to interfere with industry and upset labour. The marked development of industry and of immigration should proceed side ’by side. Particular caution should be exercised in winter when unemployment is always liable to increase. The latest trade figures for Australia showed that the value of her exports was falling off just as was the case in New Zealand, but in Australia the falling off in value of imports was also noticeable and this might avert any serious disturbance in the money market. A fact to be remembered was that as long as export and import values moved together very little harm could be done. It was when they showed a wide divergence that the country suffered.” Sir Joseph concluded by appealing strongly for the encouragement of trade between Australia and New Zealand on a reciprocal basis.