SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1396, 23 March 1912, Page 9

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

THE GUEST OF THE "LIBERALS." FAKEWELLING THEIR LEADER. As nn interlude in the business of tht Government caucus, members of (lie party entertained Sir Joseph Ward at luncheon in Bellamy's yesterday. Sir Arthur On illness, .Speaker of. the House, presided, Three, 'Labour' members and two "Independent Liberals" were present. Messrs. Vcitcli, lioberlson, and Atmoro sat together, and opposite them eat -Messrs, Isitt and Payne. After the. chairman had given the, loval toast, .Mr. .1. A. llanan, member for Invereargill, proposed the health of Sir Joseph Ward. He was sure, he said, that, their guest must be exceedingly gratified to notice that there were present representatives of the Liberal party, and also of the Independent Liberals, and of the Labour party. The presence of so many men representing (he Liberal and Progressive, forces of New Zealand was a splendid tribute, to Sir' Joseph Ward's private virtues, and to the public j.ervico which ho had rendered to the country. He had held the difficult and responsiblo ollice of Prime .Minister in a innnurr to command the admiration of a very largo number of the people of New Zealand, and (he fact that to-day (here were resolutions being passed in'all purls of NewZealand strongly urging him to retain the leadership bespoke the opinion held of him by the electors of New Zealand. They recognised that in him they had a mail, of outstanding ability. Looking baelc over Sir Joseph Ward's career it would bis found that he had ever been on (he side of the weak, on the side of Hie worker, on the side of (he landless, and on (he sid« of democratic, social reform. Not only was he known in New Zealand, but he had gained n world-wide reputation for his work for postal reform. His name must be ever associated with some of the most i>ro»iT.ssm> legislation on I lie Statute Book of New Zealand. Those not blinded bv party feeling must admit that Sir Joseph Ward had served the country faithfully and well, and he (the speaker) was certain that the historian of (nil country would do justice to his name.

Voluntary Resignation. Especially worthy of remark was 1113 voluntary resignation, aud his expression of williiignes-.10 work as a private member to assist the democratic forces lo bring about further reforms for the uplifting of New Zealand. Mr. Payne: A noble example to be followed. . '.Mr. llanan went on to say that pressure had been brought lo bear 011 .Sir .'loseph Ward, asking him to retain the leadership, but he was not going to take tlio position. He was goiiej back into tho ranks to win his way up again. Mr. Payne: Hear,"hear. Mr. .Glover: .Sure! Mr. llanan said his retirement might ba for two or three years, but ultimately Jjir .loseph Ward would be found again occupying Ihe po.-il.ion his character and merit demanded. (Mr. Payne: Certainly.) All deeply regretted that he was leaving, said Mr. llanan, and even the new members in the House admitted that ho stood head and shoulders above every other man ia the Parliament, of (his country. Mr, Veilch: So wo do. Mi\ llanan: Ho has been subjected to a system of persecution that no other man in New Zealand Mr. Payne: Except Payne. (Laughter.) Put Mr. llanan would not; discuss Mr. Payne's troubles, saying that lie would not put.him on the same pedestal with Sir Joseph Ward. No man's splendid - .work had been put on one side, to msiko way,for personal prejudice, .as ill ISir .loseph Ward's case, tie joined with lha toast tho name of Lady Ward, and in submitting (he toast ho said he was satisfied (hut as time went on Sir .loseph Ward, whether in New Zealand or out of it, would always command a reputation as :i Statesman, as a.talented man, and a man ■worthy of respect. ' Mr. Arthur Myers, member for-Ancle- . land East, supported (lie toast, which was ' received enthusiastically. - .

. . Sir Josoph Ward Replies. Sir Joseph Ward was greeted with elisors ami applause when l\u rose to respond. Jlo expressed warmest acknowledgments for the reception given to Ilia toast, ami for tho eulogistic remarks made iu .support of it. Ho appreciated very highly tlie eoniplimcnt paid to him at this epoeli in his owji history, a'lid in (he history of Hie parly villi whiehMie had boon associated for twenty-live years. Ho cheerfnlly acknowledged the support acconled him as a Minister by his colleagues, and by the rank and file of the party. Pight through the days of Mr. Ilallanco and .Mr. Seddon the members of the Liberal party had all done'thcir duly strenuously, with the object of promoting the. interests of all classes, and it was marvellous to realise what had been done in twenty years, in tho opening of land, and the providing of public services for the million of people in this most distant find least populous of the oversea Dominions. Tin's testimony nf hospitality ut this time would always be a very happy memory. The members of the-party were, on good tonus, were iu guild funii, aud their good sense would enable, them to got. over a delicate and dangerous position and guide the destinies of the country so as to gain strength in the eyes of the people, and so gain .strength in additional members to go on with the policy that had been for the general well-being ot tho people.

A Motor-car Suggestion, He hail one suggcs-lion to make, which, ha bcliovcd, was a new one. There wero not many popale who did not iwogniso that there had been an abuse oi' "Ihu motor-ear system" at elections, ami it was an evil tlint required to he grappled with. (Hear, hear.) It placed the ordinary man, who tonUl not pay for motor ears to carry electors to the noils, at: a disadvantage in an election. Ho believed that ro«iih\lio!is coiieeniing vehicles bo provided for in our electoral law. Special motor ears and special vehicles should be controlled by (he L'lcotoral Department to go from place to place carrying a returning officer and scrutineers, '>■;> enable* electors miabla to visit the polls to record their votes at their own homes. In the toivns and cities where :he ordinary man ran risks of being run over owing to tho multiplicity of motor ears in commission on election days, these State motor ears could po li> the sick, and <'.o the houses of women who could not visit the polls. He would also stop tin's abominable system cf canvas-sins. (Hear, These changes would have the effect cf allowing to poor candidates equal opportunities wifh the. rich, and there would be a larger percentage of Liberal and Labour members in the House than there were now. If .something was not done to limittiicni, their opponents would bo Hying aeroplanes next election. He had been ft fairly hard-working man, he believed. Ever since he was 12 wears of age ho had been under no obligation to anyone for his living. Now he would not be sorry to be clear of the. heavy responsibility of cilice;be did not think there was another man in tho country who could do better with six or twelve months' rest from hard work. Wliaiovor his lot might be he would be associated still with the Liberal party. He had no doubt made mistakes more, tha.n once in the past, and trodden on 'the, corns perhaps of friends, lie knew ha had trodden on the corns of enemies, but he had never had any personal feelingagainst, them. He would not say au revoir, for lie hoped to meet his bather members often in other parts of the country. He would keen liim'-clf informed how- tile political land lay. lie concluded with thanks on behalf oi l.e.dy Ward and lii!n=elf for the enthusiastic reception givon him.

The attached resolution was passed by the Wellington branch of the Post and Telegraph Oflicers' Association for transmission to Sir Josenh Waul:—"Thin branch of the Post nnd Telegraph Officers' Association views with sincere regret your resignation of the portfolio of PostmaVtcrGen'eral and Commissioner of Telegraphs, and desires to place en record its dee;) appreciation of the many services rctukieil to the officers of the Department during the long term you have been its Mill, isterial chief. The branch recognises tha goodwill which pervades your spnliinciiio towards the stall', and desires that you in turn should know that this feeling will ever remain a happy remembrance uf the stall'.-Charles 1). M'Dvaii, chairman; W. J, Meredith, lieu, secretary."