THE PRIME MINISTER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 10, 28 August 1911, Page 5

THE PRIME MINISTER.

A COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET. (Per Press Association .] Wellington, August 27. Sir Joseph Ward, Bart., and Sir John Findlay wore tendered a complimentary banquet last night by the citizens of Wellington to welcome them back home. The members of the Ministry were present, also Sir Arthur Guinness and Major-General Godley. The Mayor, Mr T. M. Wilford, presided. In responding to the toast of “The Returning Guests,” Sir Joseph Ward, who was enthusiastically received, said their first duty at Home had been to carry out the duties imposed upon them, and no greater work had ever been accomplished than that at the Imperial Conference. He could not go as fully into what had been done as lie would like, but next week resolutions would lie submitted to the representatives of the people, and he would deal fully with the whole of them. Everything that was proposed at the Conference was subject to ratification by the people of the country before being finally passed. The Imperial Council resolution moved by him was opposed by all the other Premiers. But for the discussion on that resolution they would not have been taken into partnership. Two-thirds of the resolutions submitted by New Zealand had been carried. They would find, in due course, that very valuable work had been done. A system of defence was necessary in order to make the Empire so impregnable that others would find that we were masters, and the peace of the world would bo assured. Who was to say what would bo the outcome of a great combination against England ? Could wc be handed over to a foreign Power without having a say in the matter? The development which had taken place in the past ten years had quite altered the whole aspect of the affairs of the Empire. There had been enormous changes in the east and west in the navies and armies, and England could not afford to take any chances. Ho had urged upon the people of the Old Country the absolute necessity for representation in the English Parliament. This had been recognised by men of all parties. That each of the outside countries should he represented in the English Parliament had been recognised by Irish, Welsh and Scotch. Then why should a free country like New Zealand not have representation? He did not think his proposal would ho carried, but ho wanted it put on record. With regard to the defence of the Empire, ho said if England went to war, New Zealand, Canada, Australia and d e others must go too. It was useless t.i say one part of the Empire c add . o at war without the other pm is join-

iag ,m. We wanted a navy in New Zealand, with dockyards. He was sure that this generation and future generations would want to do a fair thing for the Empire, and this could not bo doim without fair representation at Home. Dr. Findlay had been recognised as being right in the forefront. In connoction with the Declaration of London, members of the Conference were unanimously of opinion that the Declaration should be confirmed. He noticed a great gulf between rich and poor at Home. He was setting his heart on closing the gulf between the two classes. He had loft the Old Country feeling that we were more closely related now than ever before.

Sir John Findlay said that one of the things at Home that impressed him more than any others was the general exodus of the people. Mr John Burns had stated that 51,000 people had either loft or would be leaving during this year and the next two years. Scotland was bleeding to death. Twenty thousand would leave this year. There were five thousand more people leaving annually than were born. He mentioned the great increase in German population of recent years, and laid stress on the fact that they had to go somewhere, and must eventually come into contact with England. Germany had eighteen millions engaged on the land. England had 980,000. The solution of England’s internal difficulties lay in the land question, and nothing could l)e done until local autonomy was granted to Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Then the time would come for the true Imperial spirit. SIR JOHN FINDLAY. Sir John Findlay, who was very warmly received, began by remarking that the smile of welcome which had wreathed Sir James Carroll’s face was in itself sufficient to dissolve any feeling ho might have had respecting the criticism which had been referred to. A more welcome, genial, kmaly facbad never beamed upon bun. “Mv leader lias intimated to you,” he went on to say, “that I intend to make an important departure in my public life, and I take the first opportunity to say that the position I now hold I obtained without solicitation, but for such merit as I possessed. I have been told that I do not possess the confidence of the people of this country. I do not wish to bo in public life one hour longer than the people desire me to be. Wo who arc in public life have motives just as high and pure as those claimed for themselves by our critics. We are told that we get a great deal out of office, but my reply to that is that we get less than our critics would get. We have the good of the country at heart, and wo do not desire to remain in public life an hour longer than the people want us to be there. (Apshall go back to private life or J plauso.) So, at the next election, 1 shall take my place alongside my leader in the Lower House. (Applause.) If I am wanted there I shall go; if not, I shall cheerfully return to the profession I left five years ago. (Renewed applause.) It is very good of you to come out hero to meet us to-

night. I feel that in the reception you have given us we have the host answer to much of the carping, mean, contemptible criticism that has decorated some of the journals of this country. It is easy to be offensive m people who are not present. Perhaps mow wo are hack here wo shall have less of that kind of criticism.” Sir John added that he and Lady Findlay were very glad to get back to their own country (for they were both New Zealanders horn), and were hoping to do their very best for the land they loved. (Applause.)