SIR JOSEPH WARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17654, 2 September 1919, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD

* EXPLANATION OF HIS POLICY.

PUBLIC RECEPTION AT WELLING-

TON.

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 1

A public reception to Sir Joseph Ward, the Leader of the Liberal Party, was tendered at the Town Hall to-night. The building was crowded. Ex-Ministers present were Messrs Mac Donald, Myers and Wilford, and also Sir John Findlay.

Sir Joseph Ward received prolonged applause. He said that for the first time for four years he was a free man. His obligations in connection with the war had been discharged. Het'evring to New Zealand soldiers, he said they deserved to be well treated by the Government. Referring to criticism of his withdrawal from the National Government, he said: ".Mr. .Massey did not ask me to continue in the National government. That is a pretty good answer to some of those people who ask me why I did not ,stay there. I want to take the opportunity of saying that I have no quarrel with him." When the Peace Treaty was signed months ago, the National Government agreement lapsed. "I want to say. to you," added Sir Joseph Ward, "that there were very important matters on which 1 was not consulted. Absence of consultation after the conclusion of the war would be enough to induce me to withdraw from the Government." An attempt had been made to create "spuribus sympathy" for Reform. The Liberal Ministers left their work up to date in every respect. Bills prepared by Liberal Ministers were left in the hands of the Government. The Budget and Estimates were complete except for the new proposals of the year. If he had .known the Government's proposals he could have completed the Budget in half an hour. Sir Joseph Ward Avent on to say that tasks of enormous importance lay ahead. He hoped, therefore, the electors would see the necessity of a strong Government representing moderate elements. When the Liberalsleft the National Government the Dominion had accumulated a sum of fifteen millions invested in war bills. Any public men who sought to weaken tha§, position ought to be left out of public life. That accumulated money, with sinking fund in hand to the amount of £1,500,000, ought to go into a sinking fund for extinguishing the war debt. The public debt of New Zealand, after war accounts were closed, would stand at two hundred millions,, with an an-nual-charge to be met of about twelve millions. Sir Joseph Ward proceeded to deal with his policy as recently announced. He said, in reference to the charge of insincerity, that he was prepared to put , into operation in one Parliament, and the greater part in one session, all the proposals he had made* A ' State Bank was a necessity. In, regard to the question of land settlement, the Dominion must look to large estates for settlement. The purchase of comparatively small properties had simply inflated land values by displacing farmers who had.to buy land elsewhere. Regarding profiteering, Sir Joseph Ward said it had been going on in New Zealand., Parlia. ment must see that trading proceeded on a fair basis. New Zealand was •an exporting country.- -It would/-toe -madness to interfere with the expoftation .of produce at the highest price producers could command. He advocated nationalisation of coal mines. The Government must provide millions for houses to be rented at not more than 10/& weekly. He could demonstrate that such a house could be handed over to a wife and children in the event of the death of the breadwinner. He mentioned the need for fast suburban trains to carry workers. Sir Joseph Ward had a gAod hearing throughout,