SYMPATHY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1394, 21 March 1912, Page 7

SYMPATHY.

DEPUTATION TO SIR JOSEPH WARD. A gathering of "Liberal" supporters was-hold in Godber's Booms:, Cuba Street, on Tuesday evening. It was agreed that !i deputation should wait upon Sir Joseph 'Ward, at Awarua House, this afternoon, to present the following resolution:— 'That this deputation of Liberal supporters and friends of tho Might Hon. the Prime Minister desire to express our regret upon hearing that you have decided to resign the position of Premier of tho Dominion and Leader of tho Liberal party. Wo are in sympathy with you in tho circumstances under which you may consider it necessary to take that step. Looking back on tho years you have led Parliament and the many important Liberal measures you have introduced, and which are now brought into law, wc" realise that they have not been in the interests of any one class, but for all the people of the Dominion. Wc aro not unmindful of your good services as Postmaster-General, of which tho Post and Telegraph Department bears record in its up-to-datodness, being second to no other-part-of the Empire. Indeed, the whole of the legislation during your term of offico bears tho mark of progress, ns a result of.which tho Dominion is now quoted by.tho world's statesmen ns ono of-tho most progresslvq parts of tho Empire. We regret your resignation, and we would sincerely ask you to reconsider your decision, feeling assured (lint the inajoritv are with you and that you retain the confidence of the people; and iinallv, we wish (o impress this fact upon Hie Liberal and Labour members in Parliament." (By Telegraph.— Vms Association.) New Plymouth, March 20. At n meeting of the Liberal and Lnbniir Federation on Tuesday night, the following resolution was passed:-"Tho Liberal and Labour Federation of Xe«' Plymouth desire to express regard for voiir past services to tho people of this Dominion and Empire; also to plnco on rocord appreciation of your disinterested-

ness in relinquishing tho high ofllco you havo held aa leader of the progressive party at this juncture Wo further hope that \vheii the uiist of misrepresentation to which you havo boon subjected lms cleared away, you will again resume your position as ono capable of Btoering (bo Bhip of progressive thought into tho liaven of safo refuge." . Btratford, March 20, Tho Stratford Liberal League resolved lo extend hearty congratulations to Sir Joseph Ward on "the statesmanlike manner in which ho has conducted the affairs of tho Dominion as Premier, os evidenced by (ho buoyancy of the fmouces and Ibo country's general prosperity; and tho league considers it will bo a national calamily if he retires from the leadership of his party nt tho present juncture."