PREMIER AND POLITICS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 140, 18 March 1909, Page 2

PREMIER AND POLITICS.

Next Policy Speech

Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister, was present at a complimentary banquet to Mr J. Stevens, ex M.P. for Manawatu, on Tuesday night, and in replying to the toast, "Parliament," said that he would shortly deliver a speech in some part of the Dominion, when he would explain the policy of the Government, and touch on many matters of importance to the Dominion. One never liked talking about .oneself, continued Sir Joseph, but sometimes it was necessary to do so, and there were one or two matters he wished to touch upon. A short time ago he had noticed a suggestion published in a Southern paper that there was a possibility of his taking his departure from New Zealand. He did not know what had prompted the suggestion but he wished to say that it was absolutely inaccurate. He had neither thought of nor contemplated leaving the counryt. Moreover, if such an idea had existed in hie mind he would have known what his duty was to the country, the members of Parliament, and to his constituents, namely, to the first to publicly inform them. Applause. For some reason, he added, the idea had been circulated in different parts of the country that physically he was not so strong as he should be, and that was likely to be his reason for retiring. Physically he had nothing wrong with him. About a month or six week? ago ho wa- slightly rtir. down as a result of hard work, and ho considered it advisable in the best interests of his health to take a rest at Kotorua.