THE OPPOSITION'S NEW LEADER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1853, 12 September 1913, Page 4

THE OPPOSITION'S NEW LEADER.

. FORMALLY ANNOUNCED. EXCHANGE OF COMPLIMENTS. Wlion the House .resumed at 7.30 p.m., i • Tho PRIME MINISTER said that ho ha.d just been notified by £ho Junior Opposition Whip that the Right Hon. Sir Joseph' Ward had accepted tho position of Leader of tho Opposition. 'T wish," ho continued, "to congratulate the right hon. gentleman on the offer mado to him, and I wish to congratulate tho Opposition party 011 his having accepted it. I havo not tho very slightest doubt that from his long perience, Sir Joseph Ward will provo an extremely capable and satisfactory leader. Speaking for myself, I'wouid just like to say that so long as wo havo party government, party organisation, and, to a certain extent, party discipline, is necessary. I have no doubt that it will bo a very great convenience to mo to havo ail opportunity of conferring with a gentleman who can speak for members on tho other side of tho House. There is not tho , slightest doubt that such an arrangement will conduce to tho smoother running of the Parliamentary machine. A Coincidence. "It is a rather remarkable coincidence that it is just ten years ago tonight that Mr. Seddon congratulated me on taking up tho position that Sir Joseph AVard is taking up to-night. I hope that ho will enjoy the privileges of tho position, just as I did, and ior an equally lengthy period. (Laughter' and applause.) ' I again congratulate tho right hon. gentleman, land I do it in all sincerity." (Applause.)

Tha New Leader. SIR JOSEPH WARD was applauded as ho rose to reply. "I have to thank tho Primo Minister," ho said,, "for tho very cordial way in which ho has expressed his congratulations to mo, and to say that I appreciate it very much indeed. I recognise, with him, tho responsibilities attaching to tho unique position that I now hold for the first, time in the history of the Parliament sinco I havo been a member of it. Although lahavo held other positions in tho country, it is to mo an honour thac tho trust should bo reposed in me of carrying out tho difficult and responsible duties which attach to tho position of Leader of the Opposition. ; Ten Years Ago. "I am very glad that the Prime Minister has'referred to tho fact that history has repeated itself—that where lift stood ten years ago I stand to-night. I hopo his predictions in ono respect may bo proved, to be without justification—daughter and applause)—but I want to say that I will look forward with a very great deal of pleasure and interest in connection with the work of tho Parliament, to carrying out these duties devolving upon me now. ■ I want to say this—that I am not insensible to the fact that many men holding important positions in the public life of this jountry have previously held tho position, aud I recognise, that the devoted and- distinguished careers that they havo had in Parliament should act as a stimulus to me in the position I hold, to try to follow in their footsteps. [ am encouraged to a very largo extent in accepting tho duties that I now propose to try to discharge by tho u>r,y kindly sentiments that have been expressed to nie by different people, and I want to put on record one message that I received when T was approaching the meeting where I gave an answer accepting tho position of Leader of the Opposition. I do so for the reason that it breathes words of cncouragemcnt.

This is- 1 what it said: 'And David said to Solomon, his son, "Bo strong and of good courage, and do it. Pear not, nor be dismayed."' (Laughter and applause.) 1 want to say, Mr. Speaker, that I regarded that as not at all a bad omen, coming from someone whom . 1 did not know, and added to the felicitations that tho Primo Minister, in his high and responsible position, has expressed. I want to thank whoever sent it me, though I regret that ho should ■havo thought it necessary to bring Solomon in. (Laughter.) A Difficult Position. "I am conscious of tho fact that the position 1 How hold is a very difficult cue, and a very responsible one, and L recognise that I need tho forbearance of tlioso who arc associated with me, their loyalty, and their co-operation in filling tho difficult position 1 now occupy, i jvant to say to tho Prime Minister that ,it will bo my' duty' to co-operate with diim as Leader of tho Houso —(hear, hear)—and in upholding, Mr. Speaker, those high traditions which havo been so conspicuous in the history of -this Parliament in tho past. So long as I hold tho position that I now occupy— and I want to say to tho whole of the members of tho Houso that as far as I am concerned 1 recognise that where there is party Government thero must be party differences, and thero must Le party criticism —but so long as it is dono 1 straightforwardh/, then I venture to express the opinion that though we may be opposed to each other, and while, from a party standpoint, this may bo very necessary, it will bo my constant endeavour to assist in doing all I can to promote legislation for tho general bonefit of all classes in this country. I will always endeavour to havo a hearty feeling for tlioso,to whom lam opposed, either inside or outside Parliament, believing, as I do, that thoy are not foes but political opponents. I hope that ut the end of the term—however short it may be—for which I occupy this offico wo will be able to shake bands with one another and to wish ono another well in every possiblo way."

, METHODIST ONION. The amendments made in the Methodist Union Bill by the Legislative Council were agreed to without discussion. AMENDMENTS INCORPORATION. AN ALTERED BILL. Tho ATTORNEY-GENERAL (tho Hon. A. L. Hordman) moved that tho amendments made in tho Amendments Incorporation Bill by tho Legislative Councilshould bo agreed to. A number of amendments had been made by the Council because it had been-found, since the Bill went to tho Council, that tho statutes of Now Zealand were vory seldom reprinted. Tho Bill had been originally based on a Commonwealth measure and the amendments had been made to adopt it to Now Zealand conditions'. The effect of the amendments was to enable tho Crown Law Officers to authorise the reprinting of a statute in its complete form when an amendment was made to it. By this means tlio public would be enabled to see what was the full law upon any point whenever it desired.

Mr. E, M'CALLUM (Wairau) complimented tho Attorney-General oh. his speech. Tho Bill had been entirely remodelled in the Upper House and ho claimcd that some of his suggestions had led to this result. He submitted that the Houso.had been humiliated by tlio action of the Council as v it demonstrated that tho House was unable to carry out its . obligations. The additions made woro essential, but thev would havo been added had tho Bill gone, as it should havo dono, to the Statutes Revision Comraitteo. The Bill in its present form was a very, good workmanlike Bill which would do good service for tho country.

Mr. J. A. HANAN (Invercargill) hoped this experience would act as a lesson to those drafting Bills. _ .They should exorcise moro caro therein.

Mr. E. I'. LEE (Oamaru) held that tho member for Wairau was not justified in his comments. Ho had not read tho original Bill properly. .I* ' A Reply to Critics. Tlio Hon. A. L. HERDMAN, in reply, said tho Bill had- been based on the Commonwealth Act which had worked very satisfactorily. Ho did 'not think tho law draftsman was deserving ,of censure at all.. Mr. It. M'Callum: I didn't blamo him. '

' Mr. ' Herdman: I know you 'didn't. It was tho member for lnvercargill. Ho desirer to defend tho law draftsman becauso he was a very capable and busy officer. Th'e Bill had been correct wheii it was draft-cd becauso the draftsman was not aware then of tho habits of tlio printing office. Tho amendments wero agreed to. MUNICIPAL LAVf. SPECIAL COMMITTEE SUGGESTED. Mr. T. H. DAVEY (Christcliurch East) inquired of tho Minister for Justico if it would not bo better for tho Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill to bo sent to a Select Committee rather than to tho Statutes Revision Committee as had been, proposed on tho previous day. Tlio Hon. A. L. HERDMAN said ho would bo very glad to consult with tlio Government on tho application. The difficulty was that if they had too many Select Committees "at operation too much time would bo taken up away from the House. THIRD READINGS. s Tho third readings of the Land Transfer Ameudmont Bill and the Land Drainage Amendment Bill wero agreed to without discussion.