SIR JOSEPH WARD

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13448, 2 June 1914, Page 6

SIR JOSEPH WARD

LARGE MEETING AT THAMES

(Special to "The Colonist.")

Thames, June 1

Despite a torrential downpour of rain, which succeeded a very wet day, Sir Joseph Ward spoke to a crowded meeting at the King's Theatre tonight. There were twelve or thirteen hundred persons present, including a large number of ladies. The Mayor, Mr. H. Lowe, presided. Sir Joseph was received with loud applause when he appeared on the platform. He referred to Mr. Massey's recent speech at Thames, when the Prime Minister had reiterated his statement that when lie took office he found the Treasury chests depleted. Sir Joseph showed, as he has done from the public platfrom again and again, that the Prime Mm* ister's statement was incorrect. He pointed out that the Hon. James Allen, Minister of Finance, had proved this to be the case in" lijs first Budget, while the "Otago Daily Times," a recognised Conservative paper,, had, in a leading article, also upheld him (Sir Joseph) in this very important question, by showing that his (Sir Joseph's) figures, in regard to the finances when he v.ent out of office, were correct and that he had left a balance of £807,276. He went on to quote the prospectus issued by the Massey Government when raising the recent £4,500,000 loan, and said the information it contained was the finest certificate of character he could possibly have received from his opponents.

In regard to the gift Dreadnought, Sir Joseph iv.is.in explained that he- provided for the payment by increasing the tax on bank notes, the lotalisator tax, and mainly by an increase in the death duties. They were the only sources of revenue from which the Dreadnought was being paid for and the electors were deceitfully imposed upon before the last general election, when a card was circulated pointing out that the poor worker, and the poor farmer were paying for the battleship. In reply to an interjection, Sir Joseph said that, of course, Mr. Massey had voted for the gift. "He had to follow me when there was a great lead ,given," added the speaker amidst tremendous applause.

In criticising the Massey Government's toy navy scheme and upholding the old British Navy, Sir Joseph said he believed in' national defence, but he did not believe in the system running away with us. (Applause.) Already the expenditure had gone up from £400,000 per annum, as recommended by Lord Kitchener, to £505,000. Referring to the indications that have been manifested lately, to the I effect that there is to be. a system of proportional representation introduced this year for the cities, Sir Joseph said, the Prime Minister had not made a declaration but that the matter had certainly been suggested in certain quarters. If this were done it would be unfair to the people who were entitled to know what system of voting was to be enforced. How long were the people to be given to adapt themselves to the contemplated change ? What right had (.Continued on pag« 7.)

the Government to prevent tho peoplo of city electorates from selecting can«. didates? Who would bo able to fight for their seats under the group electorates ? It was not in the interests of the people that the Government kept back this information. At tho conclusion of his address, Sir Joseph received a tremendous ovation, the applause lasting some considerable time. On tho motion of Mr. F. H. Claxton, an exMayor, the following resolution was carried unanimously and amid a scene of enthusiasm: "That this meeting of the inhabitants of Thames thanks Sir Joseph Ward for his interesting and instructive address, and expresses its confidence in him as Leader of the Liberal Party in New Zealand, and trusts he will secure a majority at the next election."