Resignation of Ministry.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3700, 4 August 1906, Page 2

Resignation of Ministry.

MR HALL-JONES RETIRES. SIR J. G. WARD SENT FOR. The Hon. W. Hall-Joues handed the resignation of his office as Premier and a Minister of the Crown to his Excellency the Governor on Thursday. His Excellency sent for Sir Joseph Ward, who undertook to form a Ministry, In announcing the resignation of the Government, Sir Joseph Ward, at last night’s _ meeting in the Town Hall, said that, in response to the inquiry from his Excellency as to whether he Would undertake the responsibility of submitting a Cabinet for consideration, he had informed his Excellency that he would do so. (Applause). There was a heavy responsibility devolving upon a man who had to undertake a task of this kind. The matter would engage his earnest attention during the next few days, and he would endeavour to submit what he hoped would be a Cabinet acceptable to the people of this country. (Applause). Generous consideration in the fulfilment of a difficult ta■&, would, Sir Joseph thought, be extended to him by the people. He would discuss the matter next day with his old colleagues, and they in turn would, he felt sure, recognise that the task was not a light one ; that it called for their assistance and co-operation, and, indeed, it might, call for some self-abnegation part of the Ministry as a whole, himself included. (Applause). Sir Joseph Ward added that lie was not above receiving the advice of his colleagues, and of those who conceived it to be in the best interests of the country to form a good Government. (Applause). It was an onerous, difficult duty that he proposed to undertake, and which he would endeavour to carry out to the best of his ability. He hoped it might be done without causing any pain or heart-burning, because be recognised that it was a difficult matter for any man, following such a strong Premier as the late Mr Seddon, to undertake the formation of an Administration that would efficiently conduct the nultilarious affairs requiring attention in this country, and to promote a sound, progressive policy. That was the goal before him, loncluded Sir Joseph, and it was a goal which, with the assistance of those associated with him, he hoped to attain during the next tow days. (Hearty cheers).—The N. Z. Times of Friday.