SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 1901. SUPERB OPTIMISM. Sir Joseph Ward as a Disciple.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 57, 3 August 1901, Page 8

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 1901. SUPERB OPTIMISM. Sir Joseph Ward as a Disciple.

IF there is any man on whose word we may rely for an impartial decision on the progress or retrogression of the country, that man is Sir Joseph Ward. As our small world knows, prominent citizens, to the number of many hundreds, representative of almost every branch of industry, the ablest ,men in Parliament, and the most progressive citizens of Wellington, met together recently to do honour to one to whom Royal honour has already been done. • • • The cogent facts and convincing figuies adduced by Sir Joseph Ward in his speech at the complimentary banquet the other night completely refute tlic statements made by pessimists to the effect that New Zealand is retrogressing. And the whole proceedings were marked by a spirit of superb optimism. Sir Joseph's defence of his action in becoming a knight, and remaining a progressionist, was m his best style. He voiced the sentiments of the many when he rejoiced at the prosperity of the country under its present Administration. Sir Joseph did not merely make the statement that New Zealand had made enormous strides m commerce, that the people were wealthier now than at any time, that beneficent and wise legislation had placed them m their present enviable position, but he gave figures, carefully collated and authoritative showing the absurdity of crying "wolf" when there is no wolf • • • If the small section who are so desirous of hanging back while the country progresses would believe it, the progression, socially, mentally, or physically of a unit in the organisation is a benefaction to the whole There is no doubt that in honouring our politicians, the King honours us, his people Sir Joseph has been accused by his detractors of accepting honour from personal motives He has clearly demonstrated that it is so, and that his pcisonal motives are so wrapped up m the motives of the people that they are as one. His progression, and the progression of Ins colleagues, is the progression of the people If he is capable of further exalting himself, he also exalts the people whose servant he is proud to be.