OPPOSITION LEADERSHIP.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 602, 13 September 1913, Page 5

OPPOSITION LEADERSHIP.

SIR JOSEPH WARD ACCEPTS

POLICY OF THE FUTURE.

There was a meeting cf the Liberal party during Wednesday night's dinner adjournment, when Sir Joseph Ward announced his acceptance of the leadership which he had been unanimously offered. The numbers present totalled 21, and six absentees were accounted for. None of the Independents or Labour members were invited. The decision was graeted with enthusiasm, the meeting decla-ing its absolute confidence in Sir Joseph Ward as leader. The party also carried hearty votes of thanks to Messrs Russell, Hanan, Mac Donald, and Witty for the valuable services they had rendered a3 members of the executive in unitedly conducting, in the absence of a leader, tha work of the party. Several complimentary speeches were made, the services of the gentieraen named being warmly commended. A vote of thanks to the whips, Messrs Forbes and Ngata, for the attention, and good work perI formed by them was carried with ac- ; Interviewed, Sir Joseph said he had [ no intention of issuing a manifesto or I delivering a policy speech at present. I When the proper time arrived he I would sub::!!it a policy in accord with I the pest history of and achievements lof the Liberal party. The futnre < policy would aim at the extension 1 and developments in every direction ! of legislation, that would tend to irr- ! masses. The cors of living would be ! dealt with firmly ana with determinaI tion tie confidently looked to the ! support of the progressive forces of ! the country. His reluetance to aeeept I the responsibility of ihe le-ad-rshrp ! had been overcome by the generoi and ! cordial nature of tho representations i made to him.