TRIBUTE TO SIR JOSEPH WARD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 19 July 1929, Page 2

TRIBUTE TO SIR JOSEPH WARD

FROM OPPOSITION MEMBER SERVICES J?QR NEW ZEALAND (By Telegraph) (From "The Mail's" Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, 18th July. A warm tribute to Sir Joseph Ward as Prime Minister, which was more acceptable coming from the Opposition benchesi ifi the course df a (strong anti-Government speech, was paid tonight by Hi- A. M. Samuel (Thames). In the course of ins Address-in-Reply speech Mr Samuel declared that without the present Prime .Minister as their leader the United Party would not have had a million to otic chance of attaining the Treasury benches. It had been admitted by their own members, "They had a very, very narrow escape at the polls," lie said, "and they admit themselves they have got. only one man amongst their Ministers who is throwing bricks. Sir Joseph Ward: "Now, Mr Samuel, this is a bouquet." (Loud laughter). Mr Samuel: "But 1 warn the lion, gentleman there is a bit of cayenne pepper in it." Proceeding he referred to the United Party manifesto and said that in mentioning the name of Sir Joseph Ward it referred to him as the only statesman in New Zealand. So far as the Government side, of the House was concerned he agreed with every word of that. "But," ho stud, "I ask you to consider the ludicrous position of one worker and twelve loafers. It is too hard to ask one horse to do the work." • Mr R. Semple (Wellington East): "What about the man who gets things done?" Mr Samuel: "Well, ho is done, isn't lie?" (Loud laughter.) , ; "I compliment the Prime Minister," lie continued, "because I consider there is no man in New Zealand to-day who has done more for New Zealand than ho has. If I were in agreement with his politics I would agree that he is the right man in the right place. Up is certainly entitled to all the rewards his political work for this country may give him.