LIBERAL LEADERSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1818, 2 August 1913, Page 14

LIBERAL LEADERSHIP.

SIB J, G. WARD NON-COMMITTAL. (By Telegraph.-Spccial Correspondent.) ' Auckland, August 1. A non-committal statement was made by Sir Joseph Ward to-day as to the Opposition Leadership, in the course of a speech at the informal reception accorded to hint by Liberals. Various speakers hinted at tile "natural public -curiosity" known to exist as to whether Sir Joseph Ward intended to accept tho Leadership should it be offered to him.

Mr. I'. J. Nerheny (president of the Liberal and Labour iodwation) suggested that what is about to transpire at tho official welcome to tho returned ex-Prime Minister in iWellington, might give' his friends a lead as to his intentions as regards ther vacant post.

Lator Mr. A. E. Glover, M.P. for Auckland Central, went moro directly to the point. Addressing Sir Joseph Ward, he said: "In coming back to lead your party, you will, we feel sure, rise to the occasion, and do what is in the best interests of the country." • Mr. A. ill. Myers, M.P. for Auckland East, remarked that, in the commercial world, everybody was looking for tho services of men of experience. Surely, thru, in dealing with the affairs of the dominion and the Empire, we could not afford to lose the servicers of a man who had devoted the greater part of his time to the interests of both.

Tho hope was expressed by the Hon. Geo. Fowlds that tho future would give Sir Joseph Ward tho . opportunity of again guiding tho destinies of New Zealand.

Mr. W. .T. Napier expressed the conviction that Sir Joseph Ward would bo able to lead his party to "tho most brilliant victory the Liberals have ever experienced." Mr. T. W. Leys, in the course of his remarks, said that it would bo impossible for Sir Joseph Ward to exist in the Dominion and not occupy a foremost place in the politics of tho country. Sir Joseph Ward said: "I feel as though an attempt bad been made to pull my leg." (Laughter.) "When I arrived in a distant part of Australia pressmen asked me what I intended to do wlim I got Kick to New Zealand. I find to-day that there is the same desire o.n. the part of several of. those who have spoken to be made aware of my intention. When I went away, I said that I would be back about tho middlo or end of .Tilly. I went as a private member, having taken, that position of my own account, and I return still a private member. I wolild be wanting in self-respect if I did not acknowledge with gratitude t'he many hundreds of communications I have received since my arrival. I have never tried to force myself upoii my party, nor endeavoured to' exaot personal as.'iistance unless given freely. Ido not know that I shall be able to make my attitude any clearer at tho (reception in Wellington. As for the future, it is absolutely unknown. 1 liavo not come back to force myself on anybody, and I do not want to let any party tiiink that I want to fake the posit.ion'of a Leader (nor of a Minister of tho Crown) unless that party is true to itsdlf. (Applause.) A house divided against iWlf can never stand." Sir Joseph Ward added that, though ho was not vet an fait with recent New Zealand politics, lis believed that he would, before long, be able to gauge public opinion. Ec would support all sound legislation whrirever it came from, and would join others in doing his best for tho country to which he was devoted in every way. (Applause.) ' , Subsequently, an effort co draw Sir Joseph Ward further, in an interview, met with a courteous reiusal to discuss the matter. Similarly lie declined to express an opinion, when asked, what ho thought of the alliauco ljotW'Cen his party and the fled Tederationists in connection with the Grey election. "I prefer not to discuss that matter," ho said, seeing that I am not seized of tho facts.