SIR J. WARD IN AUSTRALIA.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 838, 12 March 1903, Page 2

SIR J. WARD IN AUSTRALIA.

FINANCIAL MATTERS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

Received 1-20 a.m., March 12. Sydney, Mar. II

Sir Joseph Ward, replying - to the toast of his beulth at the dinner tendered to him, said that New Zealand, while friendly in every way to the Australian Commonwealth, still thought it advisable to watch and wait developments, and see what they were. He could say in support ot the aspirations of tbe Commonwealth that New Zealand desired to see tho good name of Australia raised to the highest plane. He thanked Sir John See for his allusions, in proposing the toast, to the way in which he had overcome his financial troubles. He was treated unjustly, and there was no cause for the action taken at the time. Dealing with the recent financial attacks, he was pained at the time when tho States were passiug through severe trials that anyone should have raised the ery of repudiation. It was a gross and monstrous libel. Id the last year or two every stock you could name had been subjeot to vicissitudes ; even consols, regarded as the soundest of all stocks, stood at the present time something like 14 or 15 per cent below wbut they did a year or two back. Speaking for New Zealand, ho said there never had been an occasion wheu tho financial stability was bettor able to stand against a financial upheaval than now. Mr Seddon, in a recent statement, was anxious to convey that thore was sufficient monoy waiting investment at present in the colony to meet all financial requirements. During Mr Seddon’s term of office £1,450,000 had been handed back by reduction in taxation, chiefly in railways, post office, and customs. No one was moro anxious than himself to seo Mr Seddon spared long to retain his present office. New Zealand would continue to support Australia in maintaining tho strength of the Empire. Received 1.20 a.m., March 12. Sydney, March 11. Sir Joseph Ward was entertained by Mr Cox, of Geddes, Birt and Co., at a dinner at tho Australia Hotel. Sir E. Barton, Mr Reid, Sir John See, Mr O'Sullivan and other politicians, and a large and representative gathering of commercial and financial interests were present. Sir John See, proposing tho health of tho guest, paid a higu tribute to Sir Joseph Ward’s business capacity. Ho referred feelingly to the troubles he had come through, and the integrity ho had displayed in meeting his obligations. Politically tho Statute Book of New Zealand showed capacity in his Parliamentary life. Referring to the views ho had ex-pressed on New Zealand joining Federation, ho hoped that in courso of time tho people of New Zealand would see tho advisability of becoming a part of the Federation. Ho folt that it would be to tho benefit of Australia if they did so, and he was sure it would bonefit the Island colony. He hoped when tho time came, and he trusted that it would bo yet far distant when Mr Seddon retired that Sir Joseph Ward would succeed him.