TAURANGA BY-ELECTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2555, 15 March 1923, Page 2

TAURANGA BY-ELECTION.

.SIR JOSEPH WARD WELL RECEIVED. DISSOLUTION BOGEY DISPELLED. To Aroha, Last Night. Sir J oseph Ward in a brief speech at Te Aroha last night, gave amide evidence that lie is in excellent form for the campaign. He said that he was on the eve of the campaign and that before he was through with it lie intended to visit every portion of the electorate. This was a very important juncture in the life of New Zealand politics and he wished to make some reference to the argument that if he was elected there would be a dissolution, He said that if he was elected Parliament was no nearer a dissolution than if his opponent was elected. The result of last election had left Reform with a majority of three, and if he was elected the majority would be reduced to one. It was idle and futile to say that the position would lie more precarious if lie was elected, as a majority of three was as utterly useless and futile as a majority of one would be. The cry of a dissolution if Mr McMillan was not returned indicated that the opposition had no true conception of the diflieulties of the position. His views if elected would lie that the best brains of the House musf put their heads together to prevent a dissolution. That was for members of Parliament to decide. He was entirely opposed to a dissolution, and so was the great majority of the House. If Reform tried to carry on the work of the country with three that would be impossible, and a grave injustice to the country, and it should not be allowed. He recognised the position of the country.

and he was not carried off the issue by misconceptions. He was animated with one desire to do his part to help this country out of its difficulties, and throughout the campaign he intended to express his views on great public issues. He was not going to keep his views locked up. He was seeking no political advancement. He would as a matter of personal consideration, rather stay in his home in Heretaunga, Wellington. He was actuated bv the feeling that at the present time he might be able to be of some service to the country, We live in a wonderfully prolific country, and yet there were thousands of people who did not know which way to turn to-day to extricate themselves from their difficulties. He had been waited upon by bodies of electors who had asked him to stand, and after giving the matter very full consideration, he had decided to do so. If elected, he would not belie the faith reposed in him during the campaign.

He was going to deal with the contention that lie was a passing stranger and lie would point to the fact that there were finger posts all over the electorate pointing to what he had done during his terms of office for the people in this part of New Zealand. These finger posts were works he had instituted, many of which had been earned into effect. Sir Joseph said that he was here as a New Zealander, as a citizen of the British Empire and as “one of yourselves.” (Applause.) If elected he would do all in his power for the welfare of the district. He was out to represent all classes of the community. He was pleased to be present to have an opportunity of addressing the gathering, but lie was not so foolish as to think that everyone, when they heard his views, would agree with the whole of what they heard him say. The views he gave expression to would be his own, and would be given honestly and fearlessly and those who heard him would then be able to decide for themselves in the matter at issue. He thanked all those who had attended the gathering for the kindness they had shown him and Lady Ward, and the honour they had done him. Mr R. Coulter (Mayor of Te Arolia) moved a hearty vote of thanks to Sir Joseph Ward. The motion was seconded in many parts of the hall, and was carried by acclamation, and with cheers for Sir Joseph and Lady Ward. Subsequently Sir Joseph motored through to Tauranga, where he speaks to-morrow night.