SIR JOSEPH WARD

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1930, Page 7

SIR JOSEPH WARD

THE NEW CABINET

(By Telegraph- Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, May lb. In well-inlo. circles, it is mn ex-

po, Lcii uiat toe in it i rune Minister wuL unlive any sweep.ng changes m tne iccusii'i.jUi.o.i of portfolios, it is stated liiai fair oosep.i Ward will retain .ns sent on tlie executive Council, but „.U ca.ry no punuioiio. fair mancis bel' accepted a similar position during the term of tne Coates Government, when he was Leader of the Legislative Connell, by 'detaining his seat on the Executive Council without a portuloko.

Sir .ios.ph Ward will he in a posiion to advise his Excellency on important national matters, and the .sited Ministry will have the advantage of his counsel and ripe experience at all times.

Possibly the Ministerial portfolios will be subjected to a slight reshuffling when the change over takes place;

it has been bin ted* that some members' oil' the Cabinet, as at present constituted, may be dropped if Mr Forbes 'booses’ the Ministry, hut inquiries

ow that this is not the belief of the majority of those most concerned. It may he that a new Ministry will be appointed, since tho Mon. T. M. Wilror I’s pia e has not been filled, and tho nortofolios which lie left, added to those of Sir Joseph Ward, could scar •rely be spread round the nine other Ministers with seats in the House. Several names are mentioned in connection with the Cabinet vacancy in the Un’W' 1 Party circle. It is generally conceded that the senior whip, Mr A. J. Murrln'-h. nf Marsdeii, has a .roiig claim to a place in the Ministry.

NORMAL PROCEDURE. PROBABLE, AUCKLAND, May 10. In the course of an editorial entitled “The Next Prime Minister,” the “New Zealand Herald,” after mentioning that Messrs Forbes and Ransom have already been suggested as potential successors to Sir Joseph Wards, says:— I‘ln/, due course the party’s chosen •’dor will be recommended to the Governor-General, and, assuming that he is asked to form a Ministry, he will then be entitled to receive the resignations of fall the present Ministers; so that be may nominate his colleagues and allot the portofolios in accordance with his own views and in harmony with the circumstances in which lie undertakes to carry on the Government, When that responsible task has been completed the new leader and his colleagues will stand before the country as a Government and in due course meet Parliament and satisfy its curiosity regarding the effect of the change upon the policy and administration. “In some circumstances such a development may require a special summoning of Parliament to determine '••he+her the new Ministry is acceptable to the majority of the House. That

might be essential when the new Gov,eminent and its professed supporters comprise only a minority off the House, but, since Parliament is due to assemble at the end off next month,'there is probably no need on the present occasion for any departure from the normal routine. That is evidently the view taken by the Leader of the Opposition as expressed in an interview in Wellington.

AX AUCKLAND EULOGY

AUCKLAND, May 16

The “New Zealand Herald”, in a mngnificant eulogy of Sir Joseph Ward and his services to the country says: More regret than suprise will be caused bv the announcement of the intended resignation. Sir Joesph Ward, with a record of public service-that stands unrivalled among living New Zealanders, has earned many times over he right to lay down the care of office and leadership when his own best interests dictate it. The decision to do it cannot have been an easy one. It is human to cling as long as possible to such a position. It is a natural impulse to over-estimate one’s strength •Mid ability to stand the strain of office. ’’The insistence of his medical advisers and the realisation that to continue in harness might not bn fttif to ..he country any more than to himself have brought Sir Joseph to the point if conquering his natural disinclination ,o relinquish tho task to which }lo was ailed eighteen months ago. It is a development that will be received with profound regret by everyone, regard!ess of their political beliefs, but it will be accompanied by a general '-con-n-tion that it is the right step for him to have taken.”

DEBT OF GRATITUDE.' THE COUNTRY’S OBLIGATION! AUCKLAND, May 16. The “Star’s” editorial to-day consists almost exclusively of an eulogy of Sir Joseph Ward! It does not discuss the future except to say that a lievy; political situation is created. “^niJ° se pb ■ Ward was by so much the;greatest figure in the , United Party/..and his national position was so unique that neither his party nor the political field generally can be the same Without feii Joseph. Our purpose just now is to remind pur readers of what the country owes to him.” ' A FUSION SUGGESTED. WELLINGTON, gay 16. After paying a tribute to Sir Joseph Ward’s work for New Zealand, the “Post” says: "It may indeed be said with confidence that all the' Optimism rif the retiring leader will he needed by bis successors if they are to face the 'o«k that he has bequeathed to them with any hope of success.” The necessity for correcting the inertia of the last six months is emphasised and the “Post” adds: “What pos, -pde chance is there that, under tbs -H sting conditions, the necessary ounfities will he forthcoming from a Gov-

eminent which includes no outstanding personality and several nonentities which has had few opportunities of displaying any capacity for leadership and,which, since last session, has been deprived of even the shadowy distinction of representing the largest party in the House? As deputy leader, the Hon. George Forbes, has displayed many excellent qualities; but it is out of the question that, with the poor material at his disposal, he can make train .and bring into the firing line at lie end of next month a team that will he competent for a task off s'ucn magnitude that it would have taxed tho resources of the most powerful .‘abinet we ever had?

“To talk of a general election as the remedy is absurd. The electors can pass judgment upon a policy, but they cannot invent one; and, in the present state of aimless drift, a general election is far more likely to make things worse than better. The crucial fact is that the Labour Party holds the balance of power, will continue to hold it and may even develop it into the official substance of power, if the United and Reform Parties, whose differences are infinitesimal in comparison with the great gulff that divides hem both from Labour, continue to subordinate patriotism and common sense to the shibbloeths, ambitions and prejudices that keep them apart. The dividing line which in 1925 Sir “osepb. Ward regarded as important but not incapable of adjustment, has been made for far less intrinsic importance to-day by tho disappearance of the controversial issues. It is not incapable of adjustment now if our leaders are minded to adjust it.”

REGRETS AT RESIGNATION. WELLINGTON, May 17.. The following telegram has beer ■?cnt to Sir Joseph Ward by the members of the Executive of the United Political Party;-—“We deeply regret that your impaired health has necessitated your resignation as Prime Minister, and we fully appreciate the public-spirited motive which has actuated you in your decision. Wo tender our best wishes for your continued improvement in healh.” Sir Joseph Ward has replied as follows:—“I sincerely .thank, you, and the members of the Executive for your kind messages. I desire to take this opportunity of expressing my warm appreciation of the help and support which all of you have so loyally accorded me. Kindest regards.”