SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1415, 16 April 1912, Page 8

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

OFF TO AUSTRALIA. FAREWELL SPEECH ON THE ' AYHARF. Sir Joseph 'Ward, accompanied by Lady Wind ami Miss Eileen Ward, left for the south , by the Maori last night, en route for Melbourne. Jupp's Baud niarched'in front of his motor-car, playing him through tlie town to the Queen's Wharf, whero the usual ferry-ljoat trowd was augmented by a number of political, official, and other friends of the ex-Premier and his family. The Hon. T. Mnckenzio (Prime Minister), ami other members of the Cabinet accompanied Sir Joseph Ward on board, and, on the call of Mr. Mackenzie, cheers were given for Sir Joseph \\ ard. There were cries of "Speech!" Sir Joseph Ward, speaking from (ho head ot the gangway thanked the crowd for their very kind send-oft , , which ho said ho appreciated very much indeed. Ho had not been accustomed for a short time to making speeches, and it was difficult to do so under the circumstimces, as they would realise. He was only going to Australia, which was but a short step across the water, to people of our own kith and kin. He was really going across to a place where ho knew he would bo welcome, and that being so, it added doubly to the pleasure of leaving New Zealand for a short time. A voice: Come back! Sir Joseph Ward: Oh, I am coming back all right! lam not to be got rid of so easily as some people think. (Laughter and applause.) There is nothing like sticking to your last, and that is what I'm going to do, with the assistance of the people who have returned me to Parliament time after time, through ovil report and good report, for (he last twenty years. lam glad lam going away at a time when the community is in j very prosperous condition. (Oh! Oh!) Yes. We have our ups and downs, but New Zealand people, though they havo their different views, are really a very happy community. I do want 'to assure you that I am very happy to be going away without responsibilities on my shoulders. Ido not know how many of you realise what continuous responsibility for a long period of years means. It is a very hard thing for any man to go through, especially in a country fliat is moving forward by leaps and bounds as New Zealand has been doing, particularly during tho last fifteen years, and I assure you that I .am going on a short trip with the intention of having reasonable pleasure in every possible way. Turning to the Premier, who stood near him, Sir Joseph Ward said he was glad to stand beside Mr. Mackenzie and his colleagues. He hoped they would bo successful, and he wished them, as everybody ought to wish them, every possible success. Ho would return from Australia strong and vigorous, as ho was now, and assist them to keep on the track of progress and the course of development, and to mature the fino humanitarian Acts that were on the Statute Book- in the general interest of the infants and the men and women of this country. "I wish," he continued, "to thank Jupp's Band, who have so very kindly accompanied me from my late residence"— stressing the word "late." "I hopo that will make some people happy. The nest time I live in a residence in Wellington, it will not be a Ministerial residence. (Oh, oh! Hear, hear! and dissent.) I want to say why. Because, there are a few people here who are so lost to all sense of dignity and decency that they won't allow a public man to live in his residence in peace. I would advise. Ministers in the future not to live in Ministerial residences, because of the conduct of a few—it is only a few, because the great bulk of the people are above such contemptible conduct. I am in good heart and spirit, and, so far as my side is concerned, I nni going away without ill-will towards anybody. "And now I must stop, or I shall be accused of detaining the Maori. I have often been accused of detaining steamers when I have been on board anil in bed and asleep. If the Maori missed the train to-morrow—which the Maori never does—some people would say I detained her. I want to say 'Au revoir,' but not 'Good-bye.' For the present, Farewell. *Aiul if everything goes well with us, wo shall be back to meet our friends as happy and contented as we are leaving them now." (Applause.)

There was further cheering and music by the band as the vessel drew away from the wharf.