Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-07-12
SIR JOSEPH Ward.
New Zealand's Premier Makes
Some Interesting Observations
on Regulation of Trusts
DRASTIC TO Be EFFECTIVE,
He Desires to See Reciprocity ES-
tabIinhed with the United states
Interview with President
DIshenrtening.

New York, July 7.-Among the pas
sengers on the Majestic of the Wnlte
Star line, which arrived here Inurs-
day from Liverpool and Queenstown
was the Hon. Sir Joseph George WARD
X. G. M. G., and Lady Ward. sir
Joseph is the new premier OF New
Zesland, having been chosen 70 sue
coed the Right Hon. R. J. sedoon.
who died recently on shipboard OH
the Australian coast.
He was asked in the course OF an
extended interview what action would
he taken in New Zealand If an Ice
company increased the price OF the
commodity to consumers to obtain
more than a reasonable profit. He
said:
1.-THE solution of that problem Is
simple. II any man or company
should buy up all the ice plants, con-
troll the supply of ice on hand, and
then push up the price to consumers
we would Immediately build ice plants
and give the people all the Ice they
wanted at a small price and fair
profit We had a similar condition
arise at home in the coal industry
and we put it down quickly"
When the question of government
regulation Of railroads was suggested,
Sir Joseph said that regulation To
control railroads and other great ag-
gregations Of wealth which oppressed
the masses would have to be drastic
to be effective. He suggested as a
remedy extensive publicity obtained
by an impartial and thoroughly hon
est system Of investigation. Concern
ing the operation of railroads In New
Zealand the premier said:
1--WE have the largest per capita
of wealth In the world in New Zeal
and and we have proportlonately the
lowest rate of taxation. We have The
cheapest public utilities and probably
the most efficient. Our railroads hau
people cheaper than any in the world
and nowhere are railroads operated
more economically. Whenever I'VE
find that a public utility is earning
more than 31s per cent we reduce thu
charges to the public"
Oyster Bay, July when Sir 10
seph Ward, new premier of New Zea
land, stepped from the train at Oyste
Bay Friday to keep luncheon en-
gagement with President Roosevelt
he frankly said the thing nearest hi
heart In America was the development
Of a reciprocity sentiment between
New Zealand and the United States
When Sir Joseph returned to the sta
ton two hours later having fulflle
his luncheon engagement, he re
marked: Reciprocity is not an cas-,
thing to bring about In this country
Sir Joseph, adhering to rules h
has laid down for himself In his jour
ney around the world, declined to dis
cuss the exchange of ideas between
himself and President Roosevelt.
"My hearty belief in your presiden
Is a statesman of strength, breadtI
and courage" he said, has been mos
pleasantly and emphatically con
0rmed."
From his frank statement on arriv
Ing at Oyster Bay that he intended dis
cussing the possibility Of reciprocit
with the president, his later comment
on that subject are interesting as In
dicating the business-ike plan b
proposes.
"New Zealand" he said, us ready
make universal ten per cent redut
ton in her tariff to the United State
In return for a like concession and
prepared to make such treaty bint
ing without action on the part of tn
New Zealand parliament. She no
grants this reduction to Great Britai
and would be glad to do so to Ii
United States.
"If this Is too broad proposition
we would be glad to make this r,
duction on specific frucles, whic
each nation buys abroad"
The premier instanced wool al
rum used in the manufacture of va
nish and said what New Zealal
wants is certain grades Of pine luz
Der, timed salmon and many kin
lh manufactured goods. He 50
here might be opposition in New ze
and to reducing their tariff on lul
q Der.
But" added he, you have spec
= interests in this country, too"
The New Zealand premier here
} nitted he knew Of the number Of !
iprocIty treaties now awaiting acti
It the hands Of the United Sta
Ienate.
= New Zealand" he continued, SIS
: .ountry capable Of maintaining a p'
;. ilation Of from 10000 900 to 100000
y Fou are building the Panama can
= ma are our nearest English-speakl
neighbor excepting Australia Q
= rade Is growing, our interests
denucal. II voufd seem wise stat
nanship to cultivate our Relate
= dong the commercial line and we
willing"
Sir Joseph viii sail from San Pr
WarNwH