The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1830. THE PASSING OF A STATESMAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1830. THE PASSING OF A STATESMAN.

Thb passing of Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph G. Ward, ex-Pnme Minister of the Dominion, removes another of the few statesmen New Zealand has been blessed with. The record of Sir Joseph has often been published. It is a story of splendid application and wonderful achievement. He has been identified with New Zealand from earliest boyhood, and soon showed an aptitude for the wide sphere he filled ultimately. There is a well known story of an American statesman, summed up in the title “From Log Calvin to White House.” Such a title might well befit the story of Sir Joseph Ward’s life and service for this country: He has been a notable figure, in the public life of New Zealand over many years, and particularly r.o for the pa,st forty years. It is a long term of responsible service, but Sir Joseph has performed notably and to the lasting benefit of this Dominion. ] The legislation of the Liberal Party in its years of public favour was contributed to substantially by Sir Joseph Ward, and the impress of his genius marks many measures of all important value to New Zealand. It was fortunate that at the outset of his aci'ivo political career, Sir Joseph was associated with Richard John Seddon. They were opposites in many ways, yet each eoyh.l contribute to the sum

of human happiness something that .ho other Lie..od, and it was this factor that made their reign of /such wonderful value to New Zealand. Tho Liberal Party went into power in 1851 at a time when New Zealand was in a slump period. The Conservative Government had failed to right things, and an appeal to the country found Sir Harry Atkinson defeated, and the Hon. John Ballanee called in a,s Premier. His choice of colleagues proved to be a very happy one even though the men were new to political office. Mr Seddon was destined soon to he Premier on the death of his leader, (Mr Ballanee), and Sir Joseph Ward became Mr Seddon’s Erst lieutenant in a very notable Cabinet. The Liberal Party guided by Mr Seddo-n’s vigorous policy lifted New Zealand M>e’\d and to the very forefront of Nation® : *’ humanitarian legisla.ti'Hi, so that this country had a world wide reputation. Sir Josenh Ward was ail active and inspiring colleague in those days of rapid political advancement. Many vital meai'P'ires for tlie benefit of the people and the country could he enumerated, but it will suffice at this stage to-day to recall those with which Sir Joseph Ward was most closely identified. In 1891 there was the Post Office Act, which gave New Zealand penny postage and a wider use nf postal rates. Itt 1894 Game the Government advances scheme bringing in ehbftp nifliiby for the advancement of settlement. About this time Sir Joseph Ward was responsible along with Mr Seddon for the most remarkable of actions to avoid a national disaster. The Bank of New Zealand bad to be saved from closing its doors, and the Government took the responsibility of pasping the Share Guarantop Act, with the result that New Zealand became a partner in tbe bank, and prompt action of the Ministry saved the *dav. In 1901 and onward H r j'Tbsemh was res r |ansibfe for tin important Public Health Act, tbe introduction of a Pailways Classification Act, and the following year a Railways Superannuation Act. Then in 1995 came the Civil Service Classification Act, and the next year a very beneficial measure, the Advances to Workers Act. Another far-seeing provision was the National Endowment Act to provide national revenue to assure education and old age pensions. Then followed the Post and .Telegraph Classification Act. In 1910 there wa.s another remarkable piece of legislation initiated by Sir Joseph Ward—The Public Debt Extraction Act, and along with it came the Commercial Trusts Act, ■ the Crown Suits Amendment Act, an important amendment to the Gaming Act, the Land Settlement Finance Act for groups of settlers; important legislation affecting the Local Bodies Loans Act, Monopoly Prevention- Act, National Provident Fuiid Act; Land and Intionle progressive taxation; marked Improvements in tiie Defence Act 5 ahd the widening of the franchise itiider tlie Municipal Corporations Act. This is only an outline of -some ' of the leading measures Sir Joseph was identified with closely, hut it Is sufficient to indicate his political (sympathies and his wide concern for sound administration and good government.

Sir Joseph Ward has had a great record as Minister of Finance. During the Liberal regime lie held that •portfolio excepting for a short term, and he was always a “safe” Treasurer. When the war broke ont and there was a call for all to serve, the National Government wag formed, and by common consent Sir Joseph again became Minister of Finance. All through the war period he succeeded in providing for all demands without dislocating the public service, and created a surplus at Home which prov' ed a useful nest egg for the credit of the country in the (stress that followed the war period. His foresight seemed to anticipate the necessity for adequate finance at Home, and his policy proved of great advantage to New Zealand in upholding the public credit of the country abroad, ftir Joseph was a pronounced Imperialist, and as such •stood for the defence of the Empire. Another of his strokes of genius was the gift Dreadnought to the Motherland, though strange to 1 say his political opponents at the outset used his action to liis political detriment and it was a contributing factor to bis loss of the Prime Ministership. Yet events were soon to justify his foresight, for when war broke out the presence of the Dreadnought in English waters was of the greatest value to the Navy. The New Zealand battleship served with distinction all through the great war and participated in all naval engagements of moment in Home waters rendering very distinguished services, and adding materially to the security of the Empire and the immediate safety of the Motherland. These services place Sir Joseph on a very high pedestal, and it was not surprising, that some high liornur was mentioned lately as being his reward. But it is probable that Sir i Joseph appreciated the reward he won ! at the hands of the. people when at the General Election in 1928, he was returned again to power. His return would have been more ensured had lie been able to go through the ordeal of the election with greater vim. It. will be recalled that it was just at that time that there were signs of his health breaking and. he had to curtail his movements. Yet his niana held, and the day following the general election he was hailed as the prospective Fan me Minister. It was a great record, a wonderful achievement, quite in keeping with his life service, in the political arena, where he had so many deeds to his credit, j Sir Joseph took up the reins of office with a firm assurance in his own powers, and he proceeded to carry on the : administration with his (accustomed . zeal. That his reputation lmd not ■

suffered by being placed aside i'or a time, was evidenced by the tone of the London market when he went there for monetary assistance, and having found the Exchequer at a low ebb. And so ho progressed through office respected and admired for his great work, and looked to as the leader affording the greatest possibility of achievement in office. He laid his plans for Parliament, but, his health began to give way seriously during the progress of the session Still., he held tenaciously to his task, and was able to direct affairs from his sick bed Despite a serious illness, .his mental activities were wonderfully alert, and lie held to his task and to his duty unflinchingly. His leiDcity {bespoke his courage which was founded on his ability and knowledge. So he continued to serve the country unflinchingly almost to the end. His recent retirement from the Prime Ministership was deplored on all sides. There again, was palpable evidence of the work of Sir Joseph Ward a's New Zealand’s able leader. Had lie enjoyed /'better 'health and been spared a little longer there is no doubt lie was capable of great performances for the country he served so long and so faithfully.'

With the call to his Jong rest, a great figure passes—one who has played a very large part in. the material prosperity of this country., His services have been such that his record can never be forgotten, Sir Joseph was a man ot an affable and approachable nature, He - was a brilliant speaker, and milked as one of the few orators who have been heard in Parliament House. He was essentially a product of New Zealand itself, A man of wide sympathies ana practical considerations. He enjoyed the glamour of office, but always advanced his post. He was a man ot kindly sympathies and he loved his country, and never tired of helping it. In his day, he had great, responsibilities, but he never shirked the burden. He stood always to his guns, and could always fight his own battles. He was not a bitter man, for lie was courtesy itself. He was essentially a gentleman, one (respected by friend and foe, and one who could always command th 0 attention and the interest of his audience, for lie was notable always for the fluency of his speech. His illness has been a protracted one, and only his courage could have maintained him for so long as he battled against his malady. His courage in discharging the responsible duties of his office for so long in his state of health was remarkable, and gave an insight into his great personality. He served his country faithfully and would fain have done more for it, had health ..'.permitted: His life was in many respects a great example, and his service was undoubtedly for the public good. Now that lie rests from his labours, and removed frOm the scenes of his great Work, the memory Of his services and his sacrifices Will be recalled and generously appreciated by all Who may estimate at all faithfully the nobility of his life and character in his ever present desire to serve his King and Country, and to do all that he could in keeping with the tenets of his political faith,—the greatest good for the greatest number.