THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8172, 3 August 1906, Page 2

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

PREMIER HALL-JONES RESIGNS, Sill JOSEPH WARD SENT FOR. Plilt ritlMS ASSOCIATION. Wellington, August 2, Tlio Hon. Hall-Jones forwarded his resignation is Premier to the Governor lo4ay. His Excellency sent for Sir Joseph Ward and asked him if he would form a Ministry. Sir Joseph replied that he would. do so. He expects to announce the personnel of his Ministry in a day or two. THE TASK BEFORE HIM. VEILED FORECASTING, Per Pross Association. Wellington', August 3. Speaking at tire reception tendered to him at the l'owa Hall to-night, Sir Joseph Ward said there was a heavy responsibility upon a man who had to undertake the formation of a Ministry He would endeavor to submit a Cabinet which ho hoped would bo acceptable to the people of the country. A generous consideration in the fulfilment of a difficult task would, he tlwught, bo extended to him. He! would discuss tke matter uext day with his old colleagues, and they in turn would, he felt sure, recognise that the task was not a light one, that it called for tlicir assistance and co-oper-ation, and indeed it might call for some sclf-abnengalion on the part of the Ministry as a whole, hiirself included. He hoped his task might bo completed without any pain or heartburnings being caused. Ho recognised the difficulty for any man, following such a strong Premier as the late Mr Seddon, to undertake the formation of an administration that would" effectively conduct tho multifarious affairs requiring attention, and to promote a sound progressive policy, That was the goal before him, and it was the goal which, with the assistance of those associated with him, he hoped to attain during the next few days.