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WELLINGTON NORTH BY-ELECTION

HELP TO WIN THE WAR ATTITUDE OF SIR JOSEPH WARD CANDIDATES' ADDRESSES. In an interview yesterday Sir Joseph Ward was asked whether lie felt inclined tb say anything about the Wellington election, and as to his own attitude in regard to it. Ho replied that ho was very willing to do so. ' The greatest war .in history, Sir Joseph Ward said, was responsible for many, changes in all parts of the world, and it would be an extraordinary circumstance if New Zealand, though the most distant outpost of the British Empire, did not, ia common with the rest of tho world, feel the vibrations ot this huge uplieaval. Wo were, however, so tar removed from the centre of it that we i'elt tho effects to a lesser extent than those countries that were, comparatively speaking, close to the unparalleled disturbance that had been waging lor three and a half years. That was a lons period for the active, virile spirits in a democracy such as ours to restrain themselves from taking sidoSs in party conflicts such as were usual in this country for many, years prior to tho begiiuing of the war.

In reviewing the position so far as present election in Wellington North is concerned, Sir Joseph Ward said we required to look back to the period when the National Government was formed. It had'to be remembered that neither party after the last general election ivas anything like strong enough to carry on the Government of the country through a war period with safety to the interbsts of every class of tne community. It was not by any means— nor would it bo in any country in the world—an easy matter for tho- rank and file of the parties in the country itself, mucli less-the members of Parliament, who had for many years grown accustomed to what is known as party warfare, to bury the hatchet and to agreo to sink party questions, and for the members of the tiro great parties to come together for the purpose of carrying on the Government during the war period. It ivas no exaggeration to say that it took some courage and the exercise of the all-powerful spirit of forbearance between the parties before such a new and previously unexampled situation could be met., He need not recall tlx? tact that the members of the Liberal Party and also those of the Reform Party met in their respective caucuses several times to discuss the whole situation, and to consider what was the right course to follow in the best interests of the country.

At its '.list meeting on the subject tho members of the Liberal Party ,agreed unanimously to'join in the formation of a National Government, and he was authorised to convey that decision to the Prime Minister. The result was a compact, about which there was no-privacy or secrecy, that tlio two parties for the time being were to come together with equal re-presentation-by. responsible Ministers in the' National Cabinet, that party questions were to lie di.ipp«d during tho existence of the National Government, and that in the event of any bvelection _owirring as the result of the death or the resignation of any member upon either side, tho lead ;r of the party to which that men.ber belonged was to nominate a candidate whom both sides wore to support. Prior to the vacancy occurring in \Yellingtoii North, three by-elections had taken place since tho formation of th» National Government—one in Bay of Islands, one in Hawke's Bay, and one in Pahiatua—and in each,case the candidate selected by the leader of tho party who had tho right of nomination was loyally supported by both leaders. That was also the position at the moment in conncction with tho vacancy caused by tho death of the Liberal J Maori member for 'the South Island, both leaders bavins publicly announced their support of the. nominee of % Liberal leader. And so now with Wellington North. The nomination of a successor to the retiriug member was, under the arrangement ontercd into at tho time, of tho formation of tho National Government-, the right ancf privilege of Mr. Masscy, tho Leader of tho Reform Party. Mr. Masscy having selected Mr. Luke, he (Sir Joseph Ward) had at once assented, and with the Prime Minister he wished to -see tho chosen candidate successful at tho coming poll. . ,

Asked if he had anything to say concerning the candidature of the Independent Liberal, Sir Joseph Ward said he had not been Tn any way consulted as to the bringing out of that candidate; ho was not a party to it if, any I'-av, and had no knowledge concerning it until be saw the announcement in print. Ho could not, without acting a dishonourable part tn the people of the country as well as to members of both parties that bad agreed to the conditions which he had outlined, support tho candidature of anyono but the candidate nominated by the Leader of tho Reform Party. As a. number of his own followers had asked him what his attitude was, he felt it his duty to them and to tho country that he -should make the position on "this point clear. He held the 'same opinion now as he did at the time of the formation of the National Government—that neither party alone could carry through the obligations of the Dominion in a time of the heaviest strain that the country had ever known. It would be impossible to successfully do our share in the great task of' assisting the Empire in its hour of 'trial if we split the country against itself and embarked upon bitter political local quarrels. He considered our first duty*waste put forth every effort to help to win the war, arid that was tho paramount duty of all classes and parties at the present time. Nothing else mattered.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19180216.2.41

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 123, 16 February 1918, Page 8

Word count
Tapeke kupu
984

WELLINGTON NORTH BY-ELECTION Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 123, 16 February 1918, Page 8

WELLINGTON NORTH BY-ELECTION Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 123, 16 February 1918, Page 8

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