DENIAL BY SIR J. G. WARD.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11740, 18 September 1902, Page 5

DENIAL BY SIR J. G. WARD.

WELLINGTON, September 17.

Just before the House adjourned for dinner Sir J. G. Ward rosei and said he desired to make a statement regarding a telfegram from Dunedin that appeared in the evening paper of that date. That telegram read as follows: "Mr T. E. Taylor is the authority for the statement that when he was in Melbourne word was received in that city that Mr Seddori had attempted to float «£ million loan in London, but that the loan was not taken up."

I should like to state, continued Sir Joseph, thaiMhere is no foundation for the statement. It is whovy- and' absolutely untrue. Mr iSeddon has not attempted .to float a loan of a million or any other sum in London. No arrangement has been made for the flotation of any part of the loan authorised by the House in London.

Mr Massey: In the colony? Sir J. G. Ward: I am talking about London. This statement*is absolutely untrue. I know everything that has transpired concerning it and ©very matter connected with the Treasury since Mr Seddon has been out of the country, and I know .everything in the shape of inquiries made regarding the position of the London money market, and I am stating on behalf of the Government that no arrangements of any kind were made by Mr Seddon for the flotation of a million loan or any other loan in London, and I give the statement an unqualified and absolute denial.

Mr Tunnea-: He (Mr Taylor) does not give the statement on his own authority. Sir J. G. Ward:' I am not saying anything about Mr Taylor. lam talking about the statement. As a matter of fact, I know from communications I have had with Mr Seddon that the veiy opposite is the case, so that such a statement as this is a mere baseless rumour circulated, probably, I should say, by some people with the object of doing the colony harm. Mr Tanner: And passed on here. 'S'iv J. G. Ward: And passed on here probably fey the same people. No instructions have been given to the Agent-General by either the Government or Mr Seddon to float a million loan or any other loan.