IMPERIAL NAVAL CONFERENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12244, 18 June 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL NAVAL CONFERENCE.

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S FAREWELL

(Per Pmss Association.)

WELLINGTON, June 17. The Prime Minister has addressed the following message to the people of New Zealand.: "The Motherland", in the groat cause of Imperial defence, has called to council with her the free young nations of the Empire, and today with the full consent of both Hpuses of our Legislature, I leave New Zealand to represent you at the great naval conference in England. I go with both hopes and regrets—regrets that I have just now to leave for a few months this country and my part in the Government of its affairs; hopes tnat in the part I take in the impending conference, I may justify any inconvenience this country will incur by my absence; hopes also that the courageous part New Zealand has lately declared herself willing to assume in strengthening the British Navy and the loyal unanimity with which that part has been approved by you, will bind us oloser still by all the ties of quickenedkinship to the United Kingdom j hopes above all that through this conference and the combined assistance of all the oversea Dominions the naval defences of the Empire will be so strengthened and organised as "to place that supremacy of the seas for which our fore-, fathers spent so much in blood and treasure, beyond question by our foes, and all tlrs. for the benefits of a permanent peace, the glory of the Empire and a closer union with the people of our Motherland. I feel that my mission is a great one. I am fully sensitivo of my responsibilities, but with the blessing of heaven and with the best of my abilities I shall endeavour to acquit myself as your representative in a manner worthy of your country and mine, and of the confidence you have reposed in me. In these hopes I bid yon a short farewell."