SIR JOSEPH WARD’S DEFENCE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 6 July 1901, Page 3

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S DEFENCE.

Windsor Coat and Knighthood

[Our Parliamentary Eepoktbr.]

Wellington, This Day.

In defending his action in taking a title, and in justification of his meaning of the Court uniform, to which exception had been taken, Sir Joseph Ward said that no man occupying a responsible position who went to the Old Country and was invited to important functions, could not refuse to accept them, as to do so would be a reflection on his own country, and he could not go to them unless he wore uniform, to which Captain Eussell had taken exception, and what was more, one of Captain Bussell’s own party in the Atkinson Government wore the same uniform from time to time, and no corncomment was made. That was Sir Fredk. Whitaker. A uniform did not change a man’s nature. In regard to his title he had received congratulations from thousands of people all over the Colony : but of course if any objected to it they had a right to their opinions. He Lad never spoken against men taking titular distinctions. If people imagined that the title was going to make any change in his opinion or brush him aside politically, on that account they "made a very serious mistake both as regards public opinion, and his own disposition.