AFTER ELECTION SPEECHES.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1919, Page 1

AFTER ELECTION SPEECHES.

THE PRIME MINISTER. [PUR PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] WELLINGTON, December 17. Mr Massey appeared at the “Dominion” result board shortly after 11 p.m. his appearance being the signal for a great outburst of cheers. The said that though the election returns were not yet complete a majority for the Government was assured. He wanted to thank the electors throughout the Dominion for the expression of confidence in the Governrnen which had been reoorded at the polls that day. Many experienced politicians had fallen out of the ranks, and their places had been taken by others; but he felt certain that the verdict of the electors would be accepted in the proper spirit lie believed that the services of the men who had been unsuccessful that day would not bo lost to the public but that again they would be found doing their best as they had done in the past in the interests of the Dominion.

They would have heard that one Minister had been tlefeated and three ex— Minister, and also several men who had taken a very important part in the councils of the Dominion. He believed that a substantial majority of members had been returned to support law and order, and so far as he could understand, a substantial majority also been returned to support the policy of development in connection wtli reconstruction which had been put forward by the Government.

Mr Massey added: I hope that now the election is practically over we shall forget the incidents of today, and any little bitterness, and that whatever our politics may be we shall be found working together forgetting our party politics and all doing our level best for the country to which we belong.

THE LIBERAL LEADER

WELLINGTON, December 17. Sir Joseph Ward addressed a. crowd from the balcony of the “Times” Office. At the outset be was greeted with sporadic cheers, bt|t these soou subsided and he was permitted to speak without interruption. Sir Jo sell Ward expressed regret at the defeat of his party. So far as his own defeat was concerned, he viewed the matter philosophically. He, personally had no regrets . and was not going .’iiplain of~4riir~Teverso.. At the same time, in reviewing the whole election he could not compliment his opponents on the methods they employed to gain their victory. He had, served a very long time in the public life of the Dominion and he wished to tendei hi K deep thanks to the people who had stood by him and his party .

He looked upon the position quite dispassionately and it had to be borne in mind it would probably take a day or two before the definite state' of the parties was known. He was anxious to see that the outIcome would be the formation of a strong and wise Government in the interest of the people of New Zealand, because he realised, that the country had before it a ver y difficult task, which would take all the brains and’all the efforts of the new Parlia-

ment; ’ Tic assured them that throughout the whole time he had been, in public life it had been his effort always to do the right thing. There were those who did not see eye to eye in politics who were diisposed to take the worst view of a man’s effort in public life. This was one of the worst features in the public life of this country. Sir Jloseph Ward expressed keen regret at the number of old Liberals having gone down in the struggle. He referred particularly to Sir. James Carroll whose sendees and fine personality ho eulogised. He expected that all the others, who, like himself, had. been defeated wonlci take the position like sportsmen should do. Personally he took it as such. ,