SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9, 11 September 1913, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

THE OPPOSITION LEADER.

ADVANCE OE LIBERALISM

[Per Press Association.]

Wellington, September 10

Sir Joseph Ward, in an interview this evening, said that he had agreed to accept the leadership of the Liberal] Party, and had so informed the party at a meeting held in the afternoon. He said that lie had no intention of issuing a manifesto, nor of delivering a policy speech at present. W hen the proper time arrived he would he prepared, as leader of the party, to submit to the country a policy which would he in accord with the past history and achievements of the Liberal Party, and winch would be found to lie progressive, practical and safe in every respect. The Liberal Party was identified with the labor, humanitarian and financial legislation of the country, especially so far as easing the - hardens of the small settlers, mortgagors ami workers desiring to own their homes was concerned. Its land policy and its'financial assistance to settlers had placed many | thousands on the land, and had led j to, and in every contributed to, the | enormous prosperity that had obtained during the last twenty yeats, and i which still existed.

The future policy of the party, h? said, would aim at tie extension and development in every direction of legislation that would tend to increase that prosperity and assist the masses, especially by improving our education system. The party would aim at providing opportunities that did not exist at present for the young. The cost of living would lie dealt with firmly and with determination, to enable the vast majority of the people of small means to live-with that measure of comfort that every one was entitled to.

“Wo live in an age,” said Sir Joseph, “when political problems are constantly changing their aspect.” It would be his continuous effort, acting on the lines of the Liberal Party’s past achievements, to meet each new demand as it rose with legislative measures for the benefit of the whole countrv.

“Politics,” Jje continued, “is an eyplhlionary science. The needs’ of to-day are not to ho met by the legislation 61 days past. The future lies before us, and T confidently look to the support of the progressive forces in the country, working unitedly, to assist us in bringing about a condition of things which will again nlace New Zealand in the forefront of the States of the Empire,” Sir Joseph Ward said his, position on Imperial questions was well known and as Liberal lender bis course in the .Titure would he on the same lines as hitherto. He greatly appreciated the requests that had been received by dm from all over the Dominion to accept the leadership, and especially the ova! offer from the Libera! Party in the House. He felt that lie was asked to undertake a great responsibility, but, any reluctance on hi: part bad been overcome by the general and cordial nature of the representations made to him

Sir Joseph added that lie regarded he future of the Liberal Party with 'he utmost. confidence. He believed that the great mass of the people were progressive' in heart and in sen•iment, and looked to the Liberal Party to take up again and carry forward the great work with,which it had been identified in days past. He felt very grateful for the honor that bad been done him in being asked ’•gain to lead the party, and he would pro the best of his service to the ■ountry for the benefit of all classes