SIR JOSEPH WARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19433, 20 October 1925, Page 7

SIR JOSEPH WARD

STILL A LIBERAL REGRETS LOSS OF OLD NAME. OPENING SPEECH IN ELECTION CONTEST. [Per Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, Oct. 19. Sir Joseph Ward opened his campaign for the Invercargill seat to-night, when he addressed a big audience in the Municipal Theatre. On entering, ho was cheered. Lady Ward was also given a hearty reception. In opening, the candidate said there should be no bitterness in a contest between intelligent men. In the course of his speech Sir Joseph expressed regret that the name of Liberal had been dropped, as he had been associated with that party during his political career, and he was still going to run under tho same name. Sir Joseph discussed finance in detail, and said he was not against borrowing, but the present policy wtas rushed too fast. He would advise payment of works in stock, which would not bring any hardships on anyone and would keep down the interest rate. He recognised that as the country advanced and new lands were settled and opened up the cost of government must increase, side by side with the corresponding increase of revenue. At the same time they must be careful that tho revenue from State services not only paid the cost of working and administration hut also paid interest on capital. Loan Operations. In regard to borrowing for public works tho candidate said that the only sources now open were local borrowing and borrowing m London, or possibly America. Local borrowing had one great disadvantage because it absorbed money that would otherwise be available for self-development. The whole position was a difficult and complicated one, and the ablest financial brains of the Dominion would be required during the next few years to steer through the difficulties ahead. Those difficulties were altogether too hugo to be considered from a mere party standpoint. Settlement Problems. Touching on settlement, he said he hoped the Dominion would retain its standing as one of the greatest wool countries in tho world. New Zealand lamb headed the English imports of meat for quality and price However, it was to the dairying industry that they must look for the future welfare of the Dominion. The dairymen required smaller areas than wool and meat. They meant intensive cultivation and they were calculated to populate the country As the towns and cities grew, rural settlement must be expanded and more people placed on the land. A vast area remained available for settlement and only required scientific treatment. There was no reason why tho farmers should not bo increased at the rate of 10,000 per annum Instead of 1000. Revision of Tariff. Tho Customs tariff should bo revised on tho following lines:—(l) Simplification and amalgamation of items; (2) to assist and carry further the principle of union of trade within the Empire; (3) to Carry on and expand the policy of reciprocal treaties with Canada and Australia; (4) fixing the tariff to assist in every way possible local industries by moderate and reasonable protection and cheapening the cost of raw materials and parts required by them; (5) continuing the trade preference already given to the manufacturers of the Mother Country. New markets were necessary. There was a good market in tho Pacific, whore at present Australia found an outlet for a large amount of produce. Trade commissions should be appointed to investigate all possible sources of foreign markets. He touched briefly on the present wages question. He said the real solution was not so much the increase of the basic wage but to reduce the present high cost of living, which would bring more relief than an increase in wages. Cheering and Singing. At tho conclusion a vote of thanks and confidence was carried, amid cheers, and an enthusiastic meeting closed with the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”