WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1927, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

AN OLD WAR HORSE

SIR JOSEPH WARD IX FINANCIAL DEBATE.

(Special to “ Guardian

WELLINGTON, Aug. 12.

The speech delivered by Sir Joseph Word in the House of Representatives on Wednesday was easily the most impressive contribution to the Budget discussion up to date. Sir Joseph had been confined to his room by a severe attack of influenza during the first month of the session and though he had been about tlm " buildings ” on

one or two occasions previously it was only last week iliat lie took his seat, lie was greeted by a cordial round of applause when he rose to express his views in regard to the finances of the country, and when he had held the ci'ose attention of the House for Ins allotted hour lie was granted by tlio unanimous “ayes” of members an extension of time, adding one more to the tare occasions on which such a compliment has been extended to other than a .Minister of the Crown or a leader of the Opposition. Ho spoke with all his customary fluency and precision and when lie resumed his seat. alter talking for an hour and threequarters his fellow members. Irrespective of party leanings, signified their appreciation even more emphatic;)llv than they had done their anticipation. The occasion was one the veteran leader well might regard with satisfaction.

PRESS AND POLITICIANS. Perhaps the highest compliment of all paid to Sir Joseph Ward on this memorable occasion was the generous : space assigned to an outline of Ids’ speech by the metropolitan newspapers, j which arc not habitually effusive in 1 their appreciation of the ox-f.iberal leader. The Hon. 0. J. llawken, who undertook the task of replying to Sir Joseph, was not particularly happy in J his effort, neither his excuse for the “collaring” of the sinking funds nor | his apology for the continuance of what j Sir Joseph deemed extravagant ex- j peiulilure appearing to make any impression even upon members of the House wlm were ready to side with him. The .Minister of Agriculture, to his credit, does not pretend to lie familiar with all the intricacies of public finance, and bis reiteration of the old suggestions of Liberal extravagance and inefficiency fell rather flat upon a House that had listened with close attention to Sir Joseph's ready and inspiring words. The plain fact of the matter is, that with the exception of Mr Downie Stewart, there is not a single occupant of the Treasury benches sufficiently familiar with the ramifications of the. Treasury to talk of them with fluency and understanding. Among the rank and file of the House there are not more than half a dozen members any better equipped. Sir Joseph Ward lmd treated the House and the galleries 10 a rare experience. 1 NEEEECTIVE IXTERJ ECTfONS. The Hon. W. Nosworthy. who held the portfolio of Finance during the interregnum between .Mr Massey's death and Mr Downie Stewart’s ascension. was the only Minister who attempted to stay the flow of Sir Joseph’s eloquence by means of the gentle interjection. Mis efforts in this direction were not very effective. Sir Joseph, who. as is tolerably well known bv this time, strongly disapproved of the discontinuance of the provision of sinking funds for the Dominion’s loans, and oil ■ Mr Nosworthy confessing that he was I responsible for this step, the Liberal j ex-Minister of Finance exclaimed. ” Bv j the Lord Harry, I though! so.” and a |

vastly amused House laughed heart ii'v. j In a more delicate, vein, Sir Joseph scored still more heavily against the Postmaster-General. Ho had stated that there was only one way ol : converting the (iank of New Zealand into a State Panic and that was to buy ft right out. “ You should have taken It at the time the hank went crash.” Mr Xosworthv interjected. “ I am finite sure,” Sir Joseph retorted. “ if the Honourable Minister had been there at the time he would have done so,” ami the Tlouse rocked again. From that on the ex-Mjnislor found his way easy enough.