AN INTERNATIONAL MIND

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1929, Page 8

AN INTERNATIONAL MIND

SIR. JOSEPH WARD EULOGISED,

-MARVELLOUS “ COME-BACK.”

As <i former editor of “ Pearson’,-. -Magazine” and a journalist of international reputation. Mr Alexander •Markv, now in Wellington, is an inter esting personality, whose activmes have covered a wide range of subjects —'lrom interviewing people of national eonso(|iienco to the writing of the scenario and production of his own moving pictures.

' Wherever I may go,” said .Mr atarkv, the leaders of the Government or of any big movement interest mo and i invariably make a point of interviewing them for one of the big magazines. The American public is always interested in leaders—leaders in ad venture, science, politics .and greal social movements which have for their ultimate aim the improvement of the* race, the betterment of mankind. And your little New Zealand has not been without some distinction in advancing its people along the proper lines.” " I iniervie.wed Sir Joseph Ward yesterday,” continued Mr Murky What, a magical change has come over the man. I was here three or lour years ago, when to all outward intent he appeared to lie a man well past his prime, broken in health and spirit. For that reason I was amazed to find in this courteous and considerate gentleman a youthful mentality, a vitality and vigour in thought and purpose quite surprising, liven after a hard day, which included a long meeting of Cabinet, he was physically alert and quite buoyant in spirits. Moreover, lie was keenly alive to every subject raised, and responded to my inquiries and questions with such fresh responsiveness and breadth' of outlook that quite astonished and delighted me.”

4 Let. me say.” said Mr Alarky,

“ that to me. Sir Joseph Ward is one of the very few statesmen holding office to-day in the world. 1 base this on my power of observation to detect his powers. No international problem of the day was too big or involved for Sir Joseph to instantly express a broad and enlightened opinion upon, lie is wonderfully well posted on what is going 'forward in all parts ol the world, and yet lias that originality ol thought to draw his own deductions, and, what is more, give instant expression to them when asked to do so. Mis return to polilics in New Zealand is a phenomenon, hut with his hackground and witli his finger on the pulse of the world New Zealand has no reason to regret such a marvellous coine-baelc.

"Speaking on Hie possibilities of war. and the manner in which science lias been commandeered to arid to its prospective horrors, Sir Joseph said 'in reference to the use oi poison gas) that he could not conceive any Britisher countenancing a war upon women and children, and so stultifying the basic principles on which the whole of our civilisation is founded. That is a very line and statesmanlike thought indeed. He also holds the view that if by any possible means the British Umpire .and the United States could he brought to a linn agreement it would mean a world peace.”

Referring to the United States, :vir Murky* said that the new President. Mr Hoover, would prove lo he an extremely valuable addition to the statesmen of the.world. Mr Hoover, lie said, had never been a- strong party politician. He was a war and post-war 44 find ” —a great engineer, and one who would bring an extraordinarily keen and efficient brain to hear upon American and world problems. And with it all lie was strongly independent in thought and action, and would do what he considered to-lie the right thing no matter whom he might offend.