OBITUARY

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1930, Page 5

OBITUARY

Sir Joseph Ward

(Extraordinary.)

WELLINGTON,. July 8. Sir Joseph Ward died at three o’clock this morning.

The death of the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, Bart, K.C.M.G., removes one of the best known political lignis or the Dominion. The. deceased had been in failing health for a considerable time past, and it was known, the end was very near. His death will cause a keen regret tliroughouy New Zealand and mucli further afield. He has been a prominent political figure since the days,cif the Ballance Government and lias filled the highest positions in the Parliament of New Zealand. Deceased was 74 years of age.

FUNERAL ON SUNDAY.

TO BE BURIED AT BLUFF.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, July 8. Following tributes to the late Sir Joseph Ward in both the House of Representatives and the Legislative •Council‘this'afternoon, there will be an adjournment till Tuesday next as a mark of respect. / Reauiem Mass will be celebrated in the Basilica at 10 a.m. to-morrow, iWednesday), and the body will be conveyed to Bluff for burial on, Sunday morning, leaving Wellington on Thursday night. 1 The Prime Minister,: Cabinet and members of both Houses will attend the funeral, the pall hearers consisting of Ministers of tire Crown. All the Government offices are closed to-day.

THE LAST MOMENTS,

WELLINGTON, July 8

Sir Joseph Ward passed away quietly. There were no untoward signs during the night but a perceptive weakening'■ of pulse towards midnight prepared members of the-family for the end.::.;' . -•:): •

Members (of the family -present at the bedside were- Mr and Mrs 8.. B. Wood/ I. 'Mr cancl. Mrs . Vincent .Ward and Mr: Pat Ward..» f

*2™'? ‘a ' : TRlßt7(ffi’“'

BY. THE PRIME^MINISTER -D CH* - ;

PARLIAMENT. BUILDINGS, Ju! y 8. .

The Prime Minister (Hon G. W. Forbes) when approached by a pressman, paid a very feeling tribute to his old chiefs ’

“I. come into the House,” said Mb Forbes, “when Sir Joseph was Prune Minister and before that I had followed his career.very closely,, with admiration : fot i}U3 : : boidnc&s.Tsvnd- initiative. He was one .of the outstanding men of the .gipddb|iian Ministry, ait cl when I entered the House he had .succeeded Mr Sedclop. as Prime Minister, struck then by his very capable, grasp of all public affairs, dnd the statesmanlike manner in which he handled the difficult.problems which the Government had to face. “Notably there was the question of Imperial Affairs leading.ultimately to the gilt of the Dreadnought to the Mother Country and the inauguration of Widows’ Pensions, and generally carrying forward the policy of his former leader.

“Then the time came in 1912 when he stepped down in the interests of his party to make room for Sir Thomas MacKcnzie.

“Throughout Sir Joseph’s term of opposition I was liis whip and continued in that position for -over ten years. I came to know him very intimately during those years, and I ealne- to know bow public spirited lie was, and how his sole desire was to do the best he could in the service of the country for which he had so great affection. He would never countenance in any way methods which might he considered clever, but which were not straight. “He was the soul of honour, very scrupulous in the observance of any promise lie made. “Then, when the United Party was formed, and'lie was asked to take the leadership, I was one of those appointed to urge his acceptance of that position, and the result of the election showed that this choice was a very wise one, because it was acclaimed by the people throughout New Zealand. “When Sir Joseph Ward asked me to accent a position in liis Ministry, I was pleased to range myself alongside my old leader. Right throughout the time I have been in Cabinet, I was very closely associated with him. and gained his complete confidence. “When owing to liis failing health Sir Joseph resigned bis position of Prime Minister, and I was asked to assume that responsibility, 1 felt that in doing so it was with his full concurrence and goodwill. “There was no doubt about- his unfailing courtesy. After the stress and strain of political life he was tested to the utmost, but there never was a weak link. He was always courteous to the greatest friend or the bitterest opponent.

“Tn his long illness, which wo all regretted, lie remained cheerful, and there is no doubt that it was liis intense desire to carry out his public duties faithfully and efficiently, in line with liis high sense of obligation to liis country which contributed a good deal towards his breakdown in health.

“Sir Joseph’s relations with his Cabinet wore cordial throughout, and we feel keenly the loss oi a Chief for whom we had the greatest respect and affection.”

MR HOLLAND’S TRIBUTE.

PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS. July 8.

Mr H. Holland (Leader of the Labour Party) said:—“l personally, and the Labour Party as a whole, will join with all other sections of the people of the Dominion in mourning the death of Sir Joseph Ward, and in offering sincere condolences to bereaved relatives. and in sympathising with the Prime Minister arid his colleagues in the great loss which they have sustained.

“Sir Joseph Ward’s presence in the House, and his leadership of the Government until illness laid him aside, linked the present period with the strenuous past of from 30 to 40 years ago, and his death is like the breaking of a link of historical significance ”