VICE-REGAL TRIBUTE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1019, 9 July 1930, Page 10

VICE-REGAL TRIBUTE

UNTIRING AND UNSELFISH DEVOTION TO DUD' BRILLIANT STATESMANSHIP Press Association WELLINGTON, Tuesday. ‘New Zealand has today lost one of her greatest sons, and the Empire its senior outstanding statesman*,” said the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe. in referring at the opening of the Winter Show to the death of Sir Joseph Ward. “It is early yet to assess at its true value his public work for the country he loved so well and served so faithfully,” said his Excellency, “but on this day of his passing from our midst, we may acknowledge without a dissentient voice his untiring and unselfish devotion to duty, his staunch Imperialism, and his brilliant and creative statesmanship. “At this industrial exhibition ft may appropriately bo added that his experience as an industrialist enhanced his value as a statesman during the period of this young country’s industrial juvenescence. At the close of a life of strenuous work for the public good, we may all join with his coreligionists in saying 'requiescat in pace’—may he rest in peace’.” The Governor-General, has cancelled his engagements to attend the races and the Rugby match tomorrow, and all other engagements of a purely social character, until after the funeral of Sir Joseph Ward.

PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS NOTE OF SINCERE GRIEF IN SPEECHES THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON. Tuesday. A\ hen the House of Representatives sat this afternoon to pay the final verbal tributes to one of Xew Zealand’s greatest statesmen, it was noticeable that many of the members wore black ties and dark suits out of respect to a dead leader who had enreared himself to all sections of Parliament. The note struck through the speeches in tribute was one of sincere grief that a man among men had gone to rest and left Xew Zealand public life the poorer for his going. It was fitting that the House should adjourn for a week out of respect for bis memory. Below' are given some of the high-lights from the speeches of tribute to him. “At such a time as this,” said the Prime Minister (the Hon. G. W. Forbes), “we must lay aside all our differences, political and otherwise . . . It is truly said that the greatness of a country is built up on the actions and accomplishments of its public men, and where a high standard of public duty is set a country is upon sound foundations. It is to men.such as Sir Jospeh Ward that this country owes the soundness of its constitution and foundations. Through all his public life Sir Joseph Ward maintained a kindness and unfailing courtesy that made him a host of personal friends, and there are many now who me urn him as a fjriend.

“He saw many changes while he was in this House, and he brought a spirit of optimism into this Parliament which no doubt was of great benefit to the country' at the time. I came into this House as a member of the Ward Government, and I alw’ays admired Sir Joseph Ward’s grasp of public affairs, and his straight forward methods in dealing with those affairs. There could be no more considerate leader of any party. I was Whip for Sir Joseph Ward during the time that he was in Opposition, and throughout that time, when we came into close contact with him, the members of the part had the feeling that he would not countenance any divergence from the straight and honest path. He maintained a very high standard in the conduct of public affairs.

“There will be a feeling throughout Xew Zealand that a long and distinguishd career has come to a close, and there can be no doubt that the verdict will be, “Well done, thou good and. faithful servant.” Xo matter what monument is raised to him, he can have no better one than his record and the respect and esteem of the people of Xew Zealand.” “I think,” said the Leader of the Opposition (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates), “that we might recognise the work and Imperialistic devotion of Sir Joseph Ward. All are willing to pay tribute to his great work .on behalf of the Dominion and the Empire as a whole in binding together the Empire and protecting our trade routes. The work of Sir Joseph Ward and his predecessors for the co-operation of the whole Empire must be carried on. . . We all remember now our happy associations with a man who helped to make the history of Xew Zealand.” “Those who are in politics know the strain of it, and few could have borne the physical and mental Strain as Sir Joseph did in so full a political life. X often marvel at Sir Joseph Ward being able to come back as he did in 1928, and take his place again as Prime Minister, when he was over 70. To one who had had no previous political life, it would be something of an achievement, but to a man of over 40 years of political life it was something more than marvellous. . . . I suppose there has been no statesman in the history -of the Dominion who was more of nature’s gentleman than Sir Joseph Ward. Those who knew Sir Joseph Ward were aware of what a wrench he suffered through the death of Lady Ward. A letter which I shall always keep shows how sorely stricken he was by her death. Those in politics know how much the companionship of a good woman means.” —The Leader of the Labour Party (Mr. I-X. E. Holland). “He had political opponents, but, T am sure, no political enemies. At no stage in his political career did he ever show enmity. . . . He said from his sickbed to members of Cabinet after his resignation: ‘l’m going out with a clean sheet, and I’m not a coward/ That, Mr. Speaker, is Sir Joseph Ward.

In Southland he is loved. . . . *So may : he rest, his faults lie gently on him’.” —The Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle). “He had no connection with the portfolio of native affairs, and no pronouncement of his attitude toward the native race was made till 1906, when, as Prime Minister, he had to make de- : cisions on subjects affecting the Maoris. He was kindly to the Maori people, and he enabled the late Sir James Carroll to carry out his fine work for the native race. This was at a time when native policy was a party question. In 1929 he made provision as 1 Minister of Finance to develop native lands under a new scheme. The Maoris ' will always associate his name with I the moulding of the destiny of the ; race under the conditions of modern ; civilisation.” i * * * ! “He was one of the most brilliant I men we ever had in political life in the j way of political conception. If he had I | had the ability to stage-manage that I J conception he would have stood head j and shoulders above all others j | Richard John Seddon, in my humble | ; opinion, knew better how to stagei manage; lie was a better executive, but ! : Sir Joseph was not excelled in politi- 1 i cal conception.” — The Minister of 1 i Native Affairs (the Hon. Sir Apirana ; j S a.ta). . * j “Perhaps the late Sir Joseph Ward’s j j greatest qualities could be summed up ■ in the words: He was a man among ! men. The name of Sir Joseph Ward : become almost an institution, and i his passing has created a gap in the \ ranks that it will be difficult to fill.” — | Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland West). | “As senior member for Christchurch City, I wish to extend to Sir Joseph [Ward’s family the sympathy of thou- : sands of Christchurch citizens. I wish to place on record particularly the sym- . pathy of the old-age pensioners.”-—Mr. : E. J. Howard (Christchurch South). 1 “J think the last year of Sir Joseph i Ward’s life was an example of indomj itable spirit battling against disease. It is one regret of those associated with him in the House that he was not able j to die occupying the position of Prime i Minister.”—Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington ! Central). | The House adjourned at 3.30 p.m. j until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday next as a j mark of respect. | The Minister of Education, the Hon. ! H. Atmore, announced today that he J had issued instructions for schools | throughout Xew Zealand to be closed | this afternoon and also on Thursday.

ENGLAND MOURNS UNIVERSAL APPRECIATION OUTSTANDING IMPERIALIST 1 LONDON, Tuesday. The news of Sir Joseph Ward’s death was received in England with general regret. All the newspapers publish long and appreciative notices of him as an outstanding Imperialist. They emphasise his bold advocacy of Imperial penny postage, his dreadnought offer, and his services on the Imperial War Cabinet In 191 S. “The Times” says: “Sir Joseph; Ward was a ceaseless worker for Xew } Zealand and the Empire. He pos- ■ sesseil unbounded faith in (both, and carried through what others might have failed in because he inspired public confidence.”

MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY TRIBUTES FROM MANY SOURCES The Auckland Presbytery’s tribute was expressed as follows:—“The Presbytery learns with regret of the death of the late Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, and expresses its appreciation of his long and valued public services and its sympathy with the members of his family.” Mr. W. Wallace, on behlilf of the Hospital Boards’ Association of Xew Zealand, sent the following message to Sir Joseph’s family:—“We deplore the passing of a distinguished statesman and Imperialist who has rendered signal service to Xew Zealand and the Empire.” The Auckland Hospital Board also* sent a telegram of sympathy.

THE HARBOUR BOARD Deep regret at Sir Joseph Ward’* death was recorded in a special motion at the meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board yesterday. “He was a great Imperialist, as well as a great statesman,” said the resolution placed on record. “Pie devoted the greater part of his long life to the service of his country and the Empire, and by his acijons and advice did much to place Xew Zealand in the high position, both financially and politically, that she holds in the British Empire today.” THE MAYOR “Xew Zealand has lost a great Imperial statesman in the death, of ,Sir Joseph Ward,” said the Major of Auckland, Mr. G. Baildon, in a tribute to the former Prime Minister this morning. “Sir Joseph’s political career began so long ago that thousands of Xew Zealanders now in middle life cannot personally remember his early achievements,” continued his Worship. “He worked untiringly, not only for the good of this country and its people, but also to draw closer the bonds of Empire in loyalty to the Throne. “It is fair to say that the British Commonwealth of Nations as we know it today owes much of its cohesion to the labours of Sir Joseph Ward and his fellow-statesmen of 20 and more years ago. Xew Zealanders will always gratefully remember him as the man who secured for their land its title of ‘Dominion.’ The sympathy of all will go out to the members of his fam-

ily. who have suffered much anxiety through his long illness, and to the members of the Government. who mourn a revered leader.” Mr. Baildon concluded. The Prime Minister, the Rt. lion. G. F. Forbes, has telegraphed appreciation of the message the city sent through the Mayor, when the announcement of Sir Joseph’s death was made. “We have lost a firm friend and colleague and Xew Zealand a great statesman,” said Mr. Forbes. The Town Hall authorities are sending a wreath from "the citizens of Auckland to Wellington this evening. SCHOOL HOLIDAY TOMORROW As a mark of sympathy on the occasion of Sir Joseph Ward’s death, all Auckland schools will be closed tomorrow. Yesterday the Auckland Education Board received advice that the schools were to be closed yesterday afternoon. The advice arrived too late, however. This morning the secretary of the board sent a wire to Wellington, asking whether the holiday should be observed tomorrow. He. received an affirmative reply.