THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS FRIDAY, DECEMBER, 4, 1914 SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 253, 4 December 1914, Page 2

THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS FRIDAY, DECEMBER, 4, 1914

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

" We nothing extenuate, nor net down aught in maline."

The vastness of the audience that assembled in the Premier Hall, f'ukekohe, on Wednesday evening, to hear the promised speech of tbe leader of the Opposition was in itself testimony to the sway that Sir Joseph Ward still holds in the % political arena of the Dominion, even though he has for the present to be content with being the chief spokesman of the Opposition party instead of occupying his former exalted rank of Prime Minisler of New Zealand. Then, again, it was a compliment to the visitor that even in the Prune Minister's own stronghold the gathering should have exceeded in numbers the big throng that faced Mr Massey on his recent visit 10 Pukekohe, which up to Wednesday last constitutes fur size a record for any political meeting in 1 Pukekohe. The two meetings cannot, however, be fairly contrasted in point of Dumbers. Mr Massey s gathering more or less was a rally of supporters of the Reform cause with a comparatively small sprinkling of followers of the Liberal party, whereas on Wednesday although Oppostiion followers had a slight prepanderancy those of Reform leaning were present in very strong force. Indeed, in the opening of his remarks Sir Joseph Ward appeared tu be of opinion that he was to be given a warm time of it, and he appealed to tbe British sense of fairplay for a decent bearing to be given him. It was only fit and proper, he said, for the gen c rals of the opposing forces to be afforded the opportunity of placing their views and opinions before the people who would cast the die at the ballot boxes. This appeal had its effect inasmuch as although interjections were exceedingly numerous they were mostly in good part and Sir Joseph's discourse was subseI quently listened to with attention, | and nn the part of bis opponents i with no little forbearance. The | hostile element with which he bad I to contend put the leader of the S Opposition on his mettle. Fluent and versatile as ever, be scathingly , criticised the Reform Government's adminstration, trounced those bold J enough to interject, extolled tbe [ virtues of the Liberal party, and I prophesied that be and his col- | leagues would again be called as the result of tbe forthcoming elec- ; tions to preside over the deliberations for the conduct of the coun- ■ try's affairs. His friends in the ! audience naturally were in high ! spirits of exultation as he lashed j out in condemnation of the party in power and mercilessly he goaded ! the latter's friends who were present. As an oratorical effort the j speech was decidedly brilliant, but I possibly it lacked in convincing , power and was endowed with some j degree nf insincerity when the I listener remembered that Sir Joseph was, perhaps naturally, striving his very utmost to regain the laurels I he had lost and to establish himself once again as the head of the Parliament of New Zealand. Sir 1 Joseph's concluding remarks were j somewhat laconic in character. Apparently he held the view that tiy as he might he would be unable to win the affections of the majority

of the electors of Franklin from the retiring member, Mr Massey, and in a spirit of aDparent despair he wound up by hinting that although tbc people of the Franklin hleetorate might bo true to their old love yet othei place) would be fickle and that election day would prove that the life of the Reform Government would soon become extinct.