The Daily News WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1. NEW ZEALAND'S LEADER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8170, 1 August 1906, Page 2

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1. NEW ZEALAND'S LEADER.

With the arrival tin Wellington tonight of Sir Joseph Ward will practically come to an end the short-lived existence of the lion. W. Hall-Jones' Ministry. While almost everyone will welcome (lie return to normal political conditions, we believe there is no one who will not acknowledge the dignity ■mil tactful ability with which the retiring Premier his filled the position so suddenly and tragically thrust upon 'iim. Once regarded as the weak man if theSeddon Ministry, Mr Hall-Jones, by the exercise of his latent ability, by conscious sheer hard work, and by the thoroughness of his Departmental eontrol, wore down almost every prejudice against him. To-day, notwithstanding his brief tenure of the Prime Ministership, he has won for himself, by ihe undeniable proof he has given of his ability io be depended on in emergency, ihe respect of every New Zealandcr and the right to be esteemed as amongst the most capable and honorable of our public men.

• * * * Sir Joseph Ward's speech at Auckland pleases us. He went right to the point and said things about Ihe future runniug of the country which, carried into effect, will find ready and hearty endorsement on the part of the great body of the people. He stated he would consult with his colleagues to try and form a new Miuistry that

would command the respect and the support of the people. That was necessary, and would be done, he added. Sir Joseph has a difficult task ahead of him in reconstructing the Cabinet m a way that will coalman i the support of the people and of the Government section of the House, but he should have no difficulty in obtaining talent with which to form a stronger allronnd Cabinet than we have been used to. There arc at present men in the Ministry who could be retired with advantage to the colony, and their places filled with live, able, up-to-date men, with their best years ahead of them.

* # » # ft' we mistake not, Sir Joseph Ward will not fall into the error of his old chief in undertaking himself the whole of the important work of administration, but, like a shrewd man of business, will select lieutenants to share with him the work and responsibility. Sir Joseph also had something to say about the country's borrowing policy. He stated that he had never advocated harrowing beyond the capacity of the I'.juntry. Sir Joseph has been described as a born fpeculator iuid a mm who, with the necessary power, would p'ay up ''old Harry" with the finances' 0? the country. Apprehension in sonic decree exists on this account. Sir Joseph Ward is a business man : perhaps one ef the most successful the colony has turned out. For this reason we ex,l et him to exercise caution and moderat 'on in the carrying out of the progressive policy that the people have declared for ami are asking for. We haye as log a pile of debt as we can comfortably uarty now, and the policy or the future should be a moderate burrowing one, consistent with the carrying out < f Ike big works lo which the colony is 1 ommitted, as, for example, the Mai 1 Truiik-Kailway.

* * * * Sin Joseph W ird commands our greatc.-t respect. He started in life wil'i no advantage. He rose by sheer abilry to the head of a firm whos" iuru •er was £1,00), L|, o a year. The con "in vjms forced i: to liquidation, aid .' it 11 it Sir Joseph i li—we believe. a rli'rhlint; other men. Ho b >re hi* Iwf.ll trills like a brave man, ami •■Hue out ot them withmt a brass laici.mg. lie made none of his property over t) Ids wife lie static.! agaiu; worked hard and pail his creditors twenty shillings in tae pouu I, though not lega'ly bound to 1, so. lie has provr.l himself an ah!' admmwtralor, as witness the working of t!r Departments over wnieh he pre.-idis If Sir Joseph Ward runs the country as well as he has managed the Post and Telegraph and Hail ways, New Zealand will have the most capable administrator it eycr has had.

* # * * We look (o Sir Joseph Ward to deal a death blow to a pernicious system that has been steadily growing in this colony. We abide to the recognition of the " wire-pullers " and '• axegrmders " that swarm around the Government for favors, and workmen, not frequently worth their salt, who look upon the Government as an institution that should foster and help them to the disparagement of people who would scorn to employ influence in connection with their own advancement. We hope to ste all Civil .Service appointments made irrespective of political considerations and on a proper qualification basis. We want to sec the Government of this colony teach doctrine of self-reliance, and to set an example itself.

* * # * Exception has been taken by some narrow-minded individuals to Sir Joseph Ward's religious convictions. We don't know any bruad-niinded man who would allow his religious convictions to influence, him iu the running of his business, Iu these days of broad toleration and enlightenment it does not matter what a man's religious professions may be, so long as he does his « ork properly and conscientiously. An ! ounce of practice is worth a ton ot profetstois, and if Sir Joseph Ward was aii adherent of Confucius and as Premier of the colony did justice to his high c illing, acted tjie part of the man, and w.is straight and honest in his private and public dealings, we would acclaim him. A humble worker as he has been, a proved " strong " man, of huge capacity, with an intimate grip of the intricacies of business aud finance, with his years before him, and of ripe experience, we hope to see Sir Joseph Ward gain the fullest lueamre o£ success iu the discharge ot the duties of ik-' high ollice which he is about to fill.