SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 15120, 14 August 1913, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

' WELCOME AT TIMARU. A HEARTY RECEPTION. Sir Joseph Ward, ex-Prime Minister of New Zealand, passed through Tiiraru by tho first express for the south yesterday, on his way to Dunedin, and he was given a very hearty reception during the halt of the train at Tin-aru. His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Angland), the Town Clerk (Mr D. W. Virtue), several members of the Borough Council. Mr R. S. Griffiths (secretary to the Timaru Liberal Committee, and a host of Sir Joseph's admirers assembled on the railwty station platform to greet him on this his first appaaranee at Tin.aru since he left for the Homeland, and as the train drew up at the station, the assemblage £ avo three hearty cheers for Sir Joseph, on tho call of iho Mayor. THE MAYOR'S SPEECH. Tho Mayor, in a vigorous speech, assured tho ex-Prime Minister of tho pleasure which it gave the Liberals of 'i'.tnaru and South Canterbury to sse liim back amongst them once nioro (Hear, hear). As Mayor of Timaru, and on behalf of the citizens he extended a cordial welcome back to Sir Joseph. Continu'.ng, the Mayor complimented Sir Joseph on the good work he hud done, for New Zealand while in tho Homeland by advertising our country so we.l as he had. They were all pleased to know that he had enjoyed a good holiday, which he well deserved, and they -were gratified to uot-e, while he was away, the cordial reception that had been everywhere accorded liim by people in high places at Home. (Hear, hear). They wcro pleased also to see him back in the best of health and spirits to take tip his duties as a. Member of Parliament in this important and progressive country.' , Rp assured S:r Joseph that the Liberals of this district were gratified at the ab'e ar.d competent way iu 'which ho had placed before the people ol the Home Laud tiie producing rcscurees, tlie mineral wealth, and the great pOo.;i':ilitics of New Zealand. (Applause). By his speeches and action;- at Home he had raised tho credit of tite Dominion, and they were indeed fortunate iu having an ambassador who could espouse the cause of this fair country so well. (Hear, hear). They were glad to note also that he had materially assisted the Hon. James Allen to raise his 3AmilJion loan at Home — money which was required . to carry on the business of the country. The citizens of Timaru

were delighted to .sue him back, and to know that he would assist in carrying on the business of the country. Through his matured experience- and groat "ability they hoped to se 0 placed on the Statute Book further measures which would redound to the credit and benefit of New Zealand. (Hear, hear). There wero other things he would like to say, but time would not permit, and lie woidd conclude by again assuring Sir. Jcseoh of the pleasure it gave" them to have him back among them. (Applause.) SIR JOSEPH'S REPLY. Sir Joseph Ward, who was received witu applause, thanked the Mayor for his very eulogistic remarks, and for the hearty welcome he had given him on behalf of th 9 people of Timaru. He assured the gathering that ho highly appreciated'' the compliment that had hcou pnid him, and said that it could hoi V>e other than pleasing far any man to hud, on his return from a trip abroad, that ho was so cordially welcomed back. Everywhere ho had been met with the same kindly sentiments ever since ho had landed again in New Zealand. At Home he bad felt it a priv:lege and an honour to do what iie could to further the interests of New Zealand; it was a country to be proud of and one worth standing up for. (.Applause). And any man who had the weliaro of New Zealand at heart would do as he had done. People at Home who knew anything about Now Zealand had a very high opinion of it, and wherever he had an i opportunity of giving information \ conceru'iig tho possibilities of 1 this ! young country of ours he had taken \ full advantage of it.-It was a supreme j pleasure to him on any and every i occasion to speak well of New Zealand. Tho well-being of New Zealand was a | matter of extreme importance to the j humblest as well as to the highest in ; the land, and any individual who spoke ono word against it, was no friend of tho peopHe. He. had been very proud to find in what gnat esteem New Zealand was he'd at Home. So far as he could help to promote legislation for the well-being of the community, and broaden the basis of the i structure on which tin tonal prosperity I wa 3 hliill up, lie Would hrq>._ (Ap- , p'.r.use). There was a wry Ii:o feeing j in other lands towards "this country of ] ours. Years ago, we in New Zealand j were ii.okod upon as ah experimental i country in the matter of advar.ee.l ! legislation ; but our experiments had | turned out so well that older countries. I which should have led the' wero 1 now following us, and enacting legisla- • tion which' they should have had years j ago. This was one of the highest compli- j monts that, could he paid- ns, and jt j showed that a country need not be old ; in order to be progressive. (Hear. hear), j The Federal Government were now sug- | ■ gesting legislation which New Zealand j had had for the past 15 years. (Ap- j plause). .. i Sir Joseph congratulated the mayor j on attaining office as chief magistrate of j the town' —it should be called a city, lie j Said, and a very progressive one. He hoped that Timaru wotdd continue to , prosper, and that the mayor and his coadjutors would find it possible to reduce the rates. (Laughter). He felt almost inclined to make a speech—(laughter)—but his environment must control his desire, especially as the hell ; had already gone, announcing the departure of tho train. Sir Joseph eon--cluded with some little pleasantries about what would happen if lie delayed t!\e train—a thing ho had never done- — anil drew a word picture of what the Government would say if they could blame him for the late arrival of the train at Dunedin that night. As they all knew he had never been one to tako kindly to blame, or responsibility—(laughter)—and he did not want to take . either at that moment at tho risk of losinc his seat. Again he thanked them for the warm welcome which had been extended to him. (Applause). - Cheers were again given as the train steamed out of the station. WELCOMED ATTEMUKA. Sir Joseph Ward, K.C.M.G. Bart., passed through Temitka by tho first' e H ssajdxt* puno'q p.ic.wtjijnos was met on the station by several wellwishers, who briefly expressed their hopes for his future in the political field. AT STUDHOLME. At Studholmo Junction the returned statesman was met by Mr John Black, Mayor of Waimate, who travelled with Sir J.oseph as' far as. Glcnavy, and extended to him a hearty welcomehome on behalf of Waimate" Liberals. AT GLENAYY. At Glenavy Sir Joseph Ward wan : met by another deputation, who also | assured him of their pleasure at havl iug him back amongst them once I more. '