SIR JOSEPH WARD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 145, 15 December 1911, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD

"MINISTRY NOT BEATEN YET." ANOTHER APPEAL TO THE COUNTRY I LIKELY. "THE GOVERNMENT WILL DO THE RIGHT THING," By, Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, This Morning. Sir Joseph Ward appeared before several thousand persons assembled in front of the Times Office early this morning. When the Prime Minister stepped to the front of the balcony he received a very mixed reception. Thousands cheered and waved their hats, while a loud boo-hooing was maintained. The crowd was not apparently in a bad humor, but seemed out for fun, and would not give the Prime Minister a hearing.

After waiting about half an hour, Sir Joseph addressed a number of ladies and gentlemen inside the Times Office. Sir Joseph Ward said he was sure everyone recognised the country had been going through a very strenuous fight for some time past. The returns which had come to hand were not yet final. He was quite prepared to accept the ultimate judgment of the people, but. he wanted to make it clear that at the moment of speaking the Ministerial Party was not yet beaten. (Cheers.) He recognised that the closeness of the political parties was going to create a position and feeling of unrest for probably some time. This was quite apparent to him, and he believed to the people generally. It was not his intention to refer in any way to the methods employed during the recent • ntest. The time was inopportune for • doing, but he was sure his hearers uld agree tliat some of the men on Government side who had gone down in the fight in different parts had been true to the people, and had done their utmost to carry on the affairs of the country for the benefit of New Zealand as well as the particular districts they represented, in a way that Teflected the greatest credit upon them. He was very sincere in expressing his sympathy for the men who had fallen in the battle. It looked to him that before another vonr or so there would be an opportunity givrn the people to confirm or otherwise what li< 1 just been done, as an outcome of what had been placed before them, and unfairly, too, in his opinion. (Applause.)

After all the absent voters' votes had been counted, continued Sir Joseph, and the elections properly completed, he would then be in a position to judge as to the course that should be taken, but in any rase it would be found he would do the right "thing. (Applause.) In a survey of the general position he had come to the opinion that when the elections were completed the Government would have a majority in the House—(applause)—and, as he believed this would be the ease, ho wanted to make it clear that the Government would not be deterred in its desire to go on with the important measures in which a great many of the people were so deeply concerned. In the course of the next week he would know the position, and doubtless the people of this country would know what was the best course to adopt. He did not believe the business of the country would be carried on satisfactorily unless there was a working majority. If neither side had sufficient members in the House to enable the government to be carried on properly the people of the country would have to decide again, and again if necessary.

INTEREST IN WELLINGTON.

Wellington, Last Night. A great deal of interest was taken in the second ballots to-day. The voting was brisk all day, and, as on the occasion of the first ballot, the streets were thronged all day. In the evening also great crowds gathered in front of the various result boards and the proceedings were lively #9 the returns were posted. The candidates, successful and unsuccessful, addressed the electors from the newspaper offices' balconies. Beautiful summer weather prevailed all day and evening.

A few thousand people congregated at the corner of ; the street opposite the Imperial Hotel last evening, awaiting the returns to be shown 011 the Herald screen. The crowd was evidently an Opposition one. as strong cheers went up as Opposition candidates were declared elected. When the state of the parties was shown there was great cheer, ing, mixed with groans from the supporters of the Government.