SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11093, 2 June 1914, Page 2

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

SPEECH AT THAMES, A HEARTY RECEPTION. THE TOY NAVY SCHEME. (Special to the " Star.") THAMES, June 1. Despite a torrential downpour of rain, which succeeded a very wet day. Sir Joseph Ward spoke to a crowded meeting at tho King's Theatre to-night. There were twelvo or thirteen hundred persons present, including a large number of ladies. The Mayor, Mr H. Lowo, presided.

Sir Joseph was received with loud applause when be appeared on the platform. Ho referred to Mr Massey's recent speech at Thames, when the Prime Minister had reiterated his statement that when ho took office ho found the Treasury chest depleted. Sir Joseph showed, as he had done from the public platform again and again, that the Prime Minister's statement was incorrect. He pointed out that the Hon J. Allen, the Minister of Finance, had proved this to be the case in his first budget, while the " Otago Daily Times," a recognised Conservative paper, had in a leading article also upheld Sir Joseph in this very important question by showing that his figures in regard to the finances when he went out of office were correct, and that he had left a balance of £807,276. Sir Joseph then went on to refer to the prospectus issued by the Massey Government when raising the recent £4,500,000 loan and quoted the information it contained as the finest certificate oft. character be could possibly have received from his opponents. In regard to the gift Dreadnought Sir Joseph again explained that he provided for the payment by increasing tht tax on bank notes, the 'totalisator tax, and mainly by an increase in tlm death duties. They were the only sources of revenue from which the Dreadnought was being paid and the electors were' deceitfully imposed upon before the last general election when a card was circulated declaring 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 tho Massey Government's, toy navy scheme, Sir Joseph said he believed in internal 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 recent indications that there is to be a system of proportional representation introduced this year for tho cities, Sir Joseph said the Trirae Minister had not made a declaration, but tht? matter had certainly been suggested in certain quarters. The people were entitled to know what system of voting was (o be enforced. How long were the people to be given to adapt themselves to the contemplated change? What,right had the Government to' prevent the people in city electorates from selecting candidates who would be able to fight for the seats under the grouping of electorates? It was not in the interests of tha people that the Government kept back this information. , " . At the conclusion of his address Sir Joseph received a tremendous ovation, the applause lasting some considerable time. On the motion of Mr F. H. Claxton, ex-Mayer, the following resolution was carried naanimoiisly, and amid a scene of mucli enthusiasm, '' That this meeting of inhabitants of Thames thanks Sir Joseph Ward for his interesting and i;l3fcr«ictive address, expresses confidei:?* in him as leader of the libo&ul Party in New Zealand, and frusta k« will secure a majority at next electioa."'