WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 April 1925, Page 4

WELLINGTON NOTES.

sin Joseph ward

'I ll ( AI.I. FROM IXYERCARGILT

(Special to “Guardi-n”.)

WELLINGTON. March JO.

Tlic "New Zealand Times” welcomes effusively the prospect of Sir Joseph Ward re-entering Parliament as mem--I,er for Invercargill and warmly endorses what it calls the Southland movement for Sir Joheph’s return. N\ c join that movement,” it says, “ with pleasure and a strom; feeling ol justice. We hope to see Sir Joseph once more where his worth and services entitle him to he. And we realise that the Dominion, which is associated with this hope, also joins in recognising that its satisfaction depends on eircuin-stam-es over which it has no control, and in which there is no place for any dictatorial insistence.’ '1 he concluding sentence apparently is intended as a safeguard against importunity in the event. Of Sir Joseph declining the distinction some of his former political opponents, as well as his consistent political friends, would thrust upon him. Meanwhile the ex-Libcral lender appears to he in no hurry io announce Ids political intentions for the liituro. On the score of health there is nothing to prevent him taking up the burdens of public life again, lie is ol the philosophic temperament that neither ! rets nor worries and his capacity for work remains unimpaired. It may he. however. that his six years’ absence Iroiu Parliament has somewhat slacked his enthusiasm for public service and that he may hesitate to enter the fray again under any hut exceptional circumstances Viobablv lie would not take the Held merely at the call of his personal friends, hilt if he could he persuaded |,v n still wider constituency that the country had need of him he nupht buckle on his armour again. A HI VI DKD no ink. Meanwhile it remains to he seen how ollicia I ’Liberalism would regard Sir Joseph Ward’s candidature for the Invercargill seat. The ligji. J. A. Hunan has held it continuously since I*9ll.

a period of nearly twenty-six \c.iis, hut at the last general election he was returned a> a ■•minority represen Dative ” l,y only 3*lß of the 92Cd votes polled, thus having ol Id votes east against him. Of these votes Reform polled 2825 and Labour -'ii*. so Hint in politics three years ago the' constituency was a house very much divided against itself. Rcf.irm ami i.about' both have announced

their intention to put up candidates ior

everv t oiistitneitey in the Dominion at the approaching general election, and if they should carry out this resolution it, Invercargill the transfer of Mr Hunan’s votes en bloc to Sir Joseph Ward might secure the return ol the Liberal candidate. I’.nt deductions of ibis kind are never very reliable in their application to popular elections, and many observant people here, believing that Reform and Labour are less antagonistic a, one another than they both are to Liberalism, think Sir Joseph would he inviting another rehull' by putting his trust in Invercargill. ’Hus, however is the distant view, unfortified lIVI IV nnv precise information as to t.io drill of parly opinion in the Southern constitiienev. Mr T. M. Wilford. the leader of the Liberal Puny m HuHouse, naturally relrains lor the pus eiii from expressing any opinion on the subject. but lie professes himsc-ll as confident of liie Liberals being able to hold the Invercargill seat. NEW AM krigan ( !,NSI ' 'i h,. rc.-w American Consul. Mr W. Ll.ov.Tie. who “ f'-ok over Loin ! > L- | N. Gunsaulits, Ids very courteous and capable p-.ode-.es sir. at the end ol last V, has come to Nctv Zealand prepared to like this country and its peop|e. Mr I.OV. lieis a gradual--1 the Lid--r-itv of M'- biyan slid '-lore cli- . j.,., ! lie .-.erioils work of journ.,'|i ni 'studied at ibe Liiivel .|l> "I Leip and travelled . 11-11 si\dv mi Hie (’('ntiiienl. After serving for sum- , cecreiarv to Hie American Miuisier to Brazil. he entered the Consulate- Service in 1919 and since Hum has been stationed at Wen,-.a. .-.Hurl, I bad. Lisbon and Athens. Ibis in-el, referent e books tell you about him. all.l r.s you are ushered into hi* well-appointed office lie waves you to a luxurious chair, and asks you lo milk-’ •,.uu.-olf at home and expresses pleasure at being among people speaking his own tongue. He does ibis courtcon si v, even diffidently, without any : suggestion that the Americans invented the English language; hut alter you have xp.-nr. ten minutes with him. under penetrating cross-examination you realise that he has been doing the interviewing ami that'you have been the interviewed. Not that the process was at all m.-ct-ssarv from bis sale-. Mr ' |,., s reached New Zealand well rf('.!i',p",l v.'iti, book information con- , -ruing the Dominion, mi l by and by

1,0 ',l-lil tSiinin.c it In .-""'d to the peonies on Imtli sides of t!io ij.|. The pi'-iss is not goiii*' to onnv under ins feet.