THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 12, 15 September 1913, Page 4

THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

A Wellington correspondent writing on ,the political situation at the end ' of last week says:—The week has been an eventful one in political circles. ,' First and "foremost, from the , standpoint 'of the Liberals,.Sir Joseph Ward has returned to the uosonVoi his family, and accepted the leader- ; ship, which is his by undoubted right, Twenty-seven members of the party are pledged to accept and follow his , lead. Such is the statement made in connection with the Opposition caucus meeting, held on Wednesday, anc apparently that is the full strengtl of Sir Joseph's following in the Houst of .representatives. It is only one less, in point of numbers, than th( old Opposition party led by the pre ! sent Prime Minister. We are tok • that it is united and enthusiastic, anc 1 the. statement may be accepted at it* ' face value, because the party will cer ' tainly gain by the substitution of pin leader for the "Committee of Publix Safety," every member of which as pired to hold the premier place ii its ranks. Bui whether Sir Josepl J Ward will be able to lead his partj I ou to victory is quite another matter I Sir Joseph in office and Sir Joseph ii ! Opposition arc two very differeni ■ personages. The decline of the Lib era] party began with Sir Joseph'; accession to the Leadership of the i. Liberal Government. It is mora thai

a moot point whether the man who failed to hold his party together when in office can possibly hope to <lo so when but of it. Still, adversity brings its lessons, and it is possible Sir Joseph has gained wisdom by his.