SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 29, 31 May 1912, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

(Per Tress Association.) Wellington, May 30. Tin iv was a very big gathering in the Town Hall to-night, when Su Joseph and Lady Ward were the guests of-the citizens of ;\Vfllington. The Mayor (Mr. 1). McLaren), pre sided. Among those on the platform were Sir John Findlay, Sir Jamef Carroll, Horn-, J. A. Hanan } , J. Colv'n, and Dr. Te Rahgihiroa. lh< Prime Minister and nil. the other Ministers who 'a 7 re absent Wellington RenfjjfpbJbgieE and>fcd«! wishes. Mr. H.' '&. JWsley, chairman of tin committee which organised -the gathering, presented Sir Joseph War;. with an illuminated address, expressing approbation cf the .late Prim* Minister's public services and of his merits iwiffccitizen. Lady Ward was presented 1 with a Bijou grand piano. After had spoken, Sir J. Carroll and Mr. Hanan spoke in high tonus of praise regarding the caracter of their late political chief. Sir Joseph Ward had a magu/ficcjit reception. Ho said thai lie would not at the present stain- deal with the political situation in N T ew Zealand. He would, however, take an early opportunity of setting his views and hi: plans*for the future before the public. Referring to the last elections, he

said that at that time he was negotiating for loans amounting to four million pounds. When ho saw the results of the first ballots he hung off the money market, and after the socond ballots lie decided not to go on with the loans. Had those transactions been carried out the present tightness? in the local money market would not have been experienced.