SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143451, 11 March 1911, Page 3

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

THE VANCOUVER SERVICE. RECIPROCAL TRADE AGREEMENT. By El««tri» Telegraph.—Copyright. (Received March 11, 9.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, Mar«h 11. Sir Joseph Ward, interviewed, said that New Zealand was quite friendly in tho matter of the Vancouver service, and would gladly work in conjunction with the Commonwealth in order to have a suitable service for both. Regarding the prospects of reciprocity between the Commonwealth and New Zealand, ho would be quite ready to l; ritor into a reciprocal treaty on lines lair and reasonable to both countries. It scorned a pity that two sister countries growing together could not arrange a tariff and add to tho trade development of both. Ho recognised difficulties and that manufacturing industries could not be interfered with, but thero wae ample room for a practical and effective treaty that would help to cement tho ties of kinship. Ho had not had tho chance of discussing tho matter with the Commonwealth Government, Imt ho would bo glad to do so when tho opportunity presented itself.

WAVES THE FERN-LEAF. SYDNEY, March 10. Sir Joseph Ward, interviewed, said ho had recently travelled from end to end of New Zealand, ami had noticed a remarkable revival in trade. Tho prosi>ority was not duo to any boom, but was a general revival. New Zealand, he said, was experiencing the finest season she over ha(i, notwithstanding that in ;omo places there was a shortage of rain. Thoro was a good supply of money —in fact, an over-supply—resulting irom tho falling-off in rates. Tho division of largo estatoa was proceeding rigorously, and as the outcome of increased settlement there was an increased volume of exports, which last year were a record. He looked upon the lorthcoming Imperial Conference us tho most important over likely to take place, 1 icon use it meant establishing a base upon which a structure would he erected in tho future. The conference would have to consider the conflicting elements attached to the .self-governing dominions, hut ho was hopeful that the men shouldering the responsibility would recognise that unless they went for cohesion, though of a loose nature, it meant by degrees the disintegration of the Empire. At the Women’s Patriotic Club welcome “at home” Lady Ward was presented with pieces of silver. Sir Joseph Ward addressed tho club and nrgiai i hem to impress upon- their sons the importance of maintaining and adding so the strength of‘the Empire.