SIR J. G. WARD AT CAMBRIDGE

Waikato Argus, Volume XV, Issue 6115, 14 December 1903, Page 2

SIR J. G. WARD AT CAMBRIDGE

SOCIAL IN THE ALEXANDRA HALL On Friday overling Inst the residents of Cambridge entertained t-ir Joseph Ward in the Alexandra Hall. Hb Worship the Mayor, Mr Thos. Wells, occupied the chair, and in his opening remarks referred to Sir Joseph as a most popular Minister, who had led the way in many valuable innovations such as the penny postage and sixpenny telegrams—(Applause)—and had pushed on and brought to a Buccesiful conclusion the Sanatorium which he had that d.iy been engaged in opening. We did not fully realise, he said, the prejudice and obstacles that hail to be overcome even by such a statesman as Sir Joseph, who could not do every thing himself, and had to convert his colleagues and the public. Tne Mayor referred in laudatory terms to Dr. Roberts and the nurses of the institution, and said he could not sen how it could fail to be a success under such capable management. Referring to the gathering that evening, His Worship said they hud been at a loss to know what form the entertainment should take, but It had been decided that a sooial should be held in order that ladies might he present to hear Sir Joseph. Addressing the guest, Mr Wells concluded by thanking him for coming amongst them, assuring him that they recognised his great services to the State, and expressing a hnpe that long life and happiness might bs bestowed upon him to carry out the good works he was engaged iu. ' For He's A Jolly Good Fellow ' was then Bung by the audience, the Cambridge Orchestra, under Mr J. H. Edwards, leading the way. Sir Joseph, on rising, was received with applause. He said words failed to express what he felt at the kind and enthusiastic reception accorded him. Such a ncaption had a charm for any man occupying a public position, and it was what he most appreciated during his public career to find bimse'f warmly welcomed by people of all shades of opinion. Speaking of reforms, he Baid there must necessarily be differences of opinion, as there had been on the reform they had had the opportunity of witnessing in practical form that day. Be miuhf tell them that they were living in the finest country for its size on the face of the e rth. Everyone had plenty of money, and no one would deny it. (Laughter). There was a general demand for new roads and new bridges throughout the country. This work could not be done without money, and in many casea those who were loudest in their clamours for works of this description were also loudest in their con--demnarion of borrowing. They should remember that, the pioneers of the past had to he content with very little in the way of facilities, and they deserved to be commended for the cheerful manner in which they had battled away with the many hardships they were forced to encounter. New Zealand was prosperous Evidence of this was to be plainly seen in some of the smaller sides of life. The o' c di'tinc: characteristic iu favour of the the colony that you can go iuto the cit es and not find a beggar -at Last he need not be if he wished to work. Was this so iu other colonies? No! Was thii rot aomethiuß to be proud of t Here o-e found a well-dressed crowd unequalled in any part of the world. He did not iucludo the Maoris, who were living under happy auspices in this great and glorious country. Anothnr strong indication of the prosperity of the colony was the Savings Bank, the savings of the people par head oon.pariag favourably with any colony in Australasia or any country tho same age in the world. For this reason the fiuancial upheaval experienced in England and other parts of the world had hardly touched New Zetland. If New Zealand stood out distinctly in times such as this it must naturally follow that she must "land on a solid busts when prosperous times were ahead. Sir Joseph spoke at some length on the prosperity of the farming industry, and attributed its success iu a great measure to Hie inspectors and graders who hid been appointed by tho Government. Through their good offices New Zealand butter now had a name which was known throughout the world. As the facilities for cold storage increased, the prosperity of the fanning industry would be more assuted than ever. Teo or 15 years ago we had to rely on wool oulj, anr) the colony was shaken if wool dripped Id or lid a lb. But how did it affect them now? Such a drop was scarcely heard of. There was an accumulation of savings going on that was iuvalnable to the country. In times of prosperity public meu found the greatest demands made upon them in all parts of the country to give facilities which did not exist or would not be asked for in bad times. Would anyone present 15 years ago have believed that it would be possible to go from Auckland to Cambtidge in the time they could do it now ? But he did not intend to stop there. It was ooly natural that they should not he content to remain as they were at preBont. The next thing that they would ask would be to becooveyed to Auckland and back in one day without a truck of any kind—solely in a passenger train. They were quite right, too, and this was coming. New Zealandera were the greatest travelling penple in the world, and this being so they must have far greater facilities upon the railway lines than they get at the present time. When it was demonstrated to tho Government, as had been the case in connection with the penny postage and the sixpenny telegrams, that a reduction iu favour of the public only meant increased revenue, they would not be slow in granting the concessions asked for. It was his sincere belief that in a short time they would double the revenue on the railways. How would they feel, he would ask, if the railways belonged to a company whioh had the power to make rates favourable to a Syndicate or Trust. At present all were tjeatcd alike, the small man paid the same as the large man, they all came in on the same basis. There was no favouritism—railways, post offices, insurances and Public Trust office were all run on the same lines. This might be called socialistic denocratb or rad'eal, wha'cver they like, but the great thing to know was thai those institutions were at their disposal on the same terms as they were to the biggest companies or syndicate in the colony. Such facilities put those liviog inland upon the same footing as those living in the seaport, Would they wish the Sanatorium to be in the hands of private individuals or under the supervision of the Government V Confidence iu the people must be maintained. No one but the State could do such a thing, and no sensible man or woman would vote against it, as it was for-the benefit of all. There was at ihe present moment an evolutiou coming of which no one could see the end in connection with the commerce of tho world. Tois was the outcome of our attachment to the Old Country, and we must take our share and try and evolve something better than that which exists at tho present moment. He referred to Preferential Trade. During the last 15 or 25 years other countries had, for the purpose, of establishing industries within their borders upon a Bound footing, adopted a Btrong protective tariff. Dur iug this time England had been standiug by idly, fondly thinking that conditions which prevailed in the days of Cobtlen and Bright were applicable to-day. Were it not for the fact that the exports of the colony had increased Britain would at tho present day be exporting lesa than she was '2O years ago. If the trade of the world went slipping away and Britain sat idly by and would not tako advantage of our sacrifice when we were prepired to make it, the inevitable result would.be that she would weaken iu some form or another and her weakening meant our weakening also. Ihey should think this matter over, aud place before their public men every aspect of the question. It was a matter which seriously ado ted e/ety oountrv in the world over which the British fhg flies. Last year the Government placed on the Statute, Book a Preferential Tariff Act. It waa not perfect, but it was a step in tho right direction—allowing our people to trade upon more favourable terms than those of any other country, As long as foreign countries raised fiscal barriers against m> so loug should we decliue to allow ihoni to trade with us on the same favourable terms as wc gave to England. Thin would lorco u reciprocal arrangemint, and unless this were accomplished WO should be like a ship without a rudder in i he matter of commerce. He advocated entering into reciprocal tar ffs with every country possible, thus inuroaalny trade iu both ways and encouraging people to settle on the laud anil build up industries. He hoped whatever party wus in power in England that somo preferential treaty would be arrived at and that the colonies would not bo overlooked. If this were not done sooner or later it would result in a great

commercial war, whioh would probably culminate in a mv.il i nuagement on the sea between battleship?; this we should use every me ins in our power to avert. Here in New Zeal.nd we were working out an important destiny, and the prosperity everywhere apparent in Waikato was only an flex of what was takinK place all over the colony. It was surely a good sign that at the end of the financhl year they expected to be able to transfer half a million from the Consolidated Revenue to the Public Works Fund. He was optimistic enough to see that the onward inarch of thi< country must go on and that in 25 years New Zealand would be one of the granaries of the world, and that was a very short time in the life of a nation. After expresbing a hope that should he ever return to Cambiidge he might receive a similar reception, Sir Joseph resumed his seat amidst ureal applause. The Orchestra followed with ' Rule Britannia,' The Mayor again thanked the Minister for his presence, and after delightful refreshments provided by Mr G Boyce had been taken of, Sir Joseph left by train at 10 o'clock for Rotorua.