SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1454, 31 May 1912, Page 2

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

GATHERING AT THE TOWN HALL. PJIESEXT.4TJOXS AND SPJSKCHES. About three thousand people assembled at the Town Hull, last livening, when pri'seiltalioiis wore made tn Kir Joseph Ward ami Lady Ward. The .Mayor (Mr. ]). JL'J.nren) presided. 'J'liosr present included Miss Kileen Ward, I lie Hon. .1. Haua.-i, the Hon. J. Cnlvin, (he Hon. To liaagihiroa, Kir Has. Carroll, Sir John Vindlay and Ladv I'itnilny, and Mr. H. C. Tcwsley (chairman ol the cuiuiuittee which organised the function). The Hon. T. Mackenzie forwarded an apology, in which lie staled that lie exceedingly regretted that he was unable to be present to do honour to Ins late ehiei. He added that he had made special arrangements to attend the baiuiuot to be tendered to Sir Joseph Ward at lnvcrqargill. Other apologies were received troin:—The Hon. A. M. Myers, She Hon. Or. W. liussell, the Hon. G. Ijaurensun, the Hon. H. G. KM, the Hon. W. 1). S. Macdonald, the lion. If. M'Kcnxie, and .Messrs. C, AV. Jones, AV. Mnddison, and J. A. Hay. Sir Joseph. Ward and Lady Ward were heartilv applauded and cheered as they entered the hall, accompanied by (lie Mayor.

Tiie Mayor said that it was a right and proper thing to recognise the services of men who had rendered long public service.-; to their country, regardless of what, their opinions might be. (Applause.) Sir Joseph Ward had spent twenty-fivo years in Parliament, am! previously had spent ten years in local government work. .Mr. M'Laren commended the efforts that had been made to establish a reciprocal tariff between New Zealand and Australia. They all recognised, lie went on to remark, whatever their political views might be, that Sir Joseph Ward had rendered great.ami useful service* to Xo'v Zealand. (Applause.) The Mayor said that he was delighted to welcome bad: Lady Ward. (Applause.) He recognised that Sir Joseph. Ward would have been somewhat of a failure in the public duties he had undertaken had it not been tor Lady Ward. (Applause.) Mr. H. C. Tewslcy was called upon by tho Mayor to present Sir Joseph AVa'rd with ali address enclosed in a handsome casket of New Zealand wood, and ]<adv Ward with a boudoir grand piano. The address expresses tiie admiration and esteem of members of the party for their late leader. Making the presentations, Mr. Tewslcy said there were many who felt that a'maii holding the position of Prime .Minister should be to a great extent free of the personalities that unfortunately were part: and puree! of party polities to-day. It was this feeling that had induced "a number of people to promote the gathering that evening. Mr. Tewslcy said that he accepted the attendance that evening as an indication that the pendulum had swung back, and that Sir Joseph Ward occupied again the same proud position as he had occupied prior to tho late general election. (Applause.) The reading of the address was the sigTif.l for loud applause and cheering. These demonstrations were renewed when Mr. Tcwsley turned to Lady Ward, and asked her to'aecept the piano in remembrance of her countless acts of kindness during her husband's public life. The JJon. J". A. Hannn {Minister for Education), speaking on behalf of the present Government, endorsed what had been said in the address, and supplemented by Mr. Tcwsley. Tho magnificent gathering there assembled indicated that tho Empire City sheltered a largo number of liberal-minded people, who were prepared to recognise tho 'services of a. man who had laboured in the service of the Siato and to promote tho welfare of the people of this country. Sir .Tas. Carroll was loudly applauded and cheered when he came forward to speak. He" gave a brief sketch of his political association with Sir Joseph Ward. In regard (o the services which the, ex-Prime Minister had rendered, liewas entirely in accord with those wlio had spoken. . Tho record of legislation Sir Joseph Ward had put upon tho Statute Book of this country would compare with any country in the world. It was a record that would stand to tho name of a great man and a grant statesman. Tho Maori people had commissioned him to express their high appreciation of what liad been done for them by their guest that evening. Their love and fondness for Sir Joseph Ward had been growing from the time when they first came into contact with him. The* Maoris intended to take a later occasion of asking Sir Joseph Ward and his family to be their guests. Concluding, Sir .Tames Carroll called for ihree cheers for Sir Joseph Ward, Lady Ward, and family. The cheers were given heartilv. A long run of applause and cheers greeted Sir Joseph Ward as lie rose lo

reply. He said (lint he found it impossible lo find words to express his appreciation of tho enthusiasm (lint hnd !)eeii shown by the speakers mid by the vast assembly there present. Having thanked tho various speakers, ho also expressed his gratitude for (ho gifts that hud been made. Tho gifts would 1)0 valued and tho givers affectionately reiuoinlwrcd. .An invitation from the Maoris would bo vorv gladly accepted by himself, Lady Ward, mid their family. (Applause.) After referring to (ho records of his pmlecessira in the oilica of Prime .Minister, Sir Joseph Ward claimed Hint tho Ward Administration had pursued a vigorous progressive policy. Ho had endured some criticism in his time, but that night he bore no ill-will to any Ina.ll in |;his conn fry. (Applause.) Tho Inst general election was admittedly the bitterest ever held iu New Zealand. * Hut. when tho mists and fogs which gathered during (hat fight hud dissipated, it would be acknowledged that a great deal of good and useful work had been carried out, under his leadership, which had been for tho general good of ail sections of (he community. (Applause.) After some financial and political references. which arc reported elsewhere, Kir Joseph AVard concluded by reiterating his ileep sense of the honour done him that iliudit. Cheers for the Mayor and for oir Joseph and Lady AVard concluded tha proceedings. Several musical items were contributed in the early part of the evening, and selections were played by Junp's band us the people assembled at the hall.