LIBERAL LEADERSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 201, 22 February 1912, Page 4

LIBERAL LEADERSHIP.

SIR JOSEPH WARD TO RETIRE.

STILL A FIGHTING MEMBER.

The Prime Minister concluded his speech on Mr. Massey's amendment to the Address-in-Reply on Tuesday night with the following:— "No one will accept the decision of the House at the present juncture more cheerfully than I will, and I hope notwithstanding all that has been said that we are going to win—(hear, hear)—and in any case it would be a bad thing for the country if we do not win. I have quite enough sense to realise that the fictitious cry, especially in the North Island: 'Put Ward down,' told, a tale, but the cry was certainly pot: Tut Massey in.'" (Hear, hear).'" Mr. Hemes: That's what we are here for.

Sir Joseph: That's what you have'been there for all along, and you are still there. (Laughter.) I have shown that the number of the Liberal voters was greater than those who supported the Conservatives under their reform alias. I am going to say here that I am not going to cling to offitie upon a small majority to please anybody. The Leader of the Opposition may try the game if he likes, and take the consequences if he pleases.

Mr. Massey: I have said so myself. THE NATURAL ALLIES.

■ Sir Joseph Ward: I believe the natural allies are Labor and Liberal, and that One of the greatest mistakes at the present juncture would be to allow their natural opponents—because they are responsible for the position at the present moment—to triumph. I have made it • quite clear that the majority of Liberal' voters was 50,000 more than the Conservatives. As far as I am concerned, if we win this division, (as I honestly believe we will, I do not propose to continue in the position I hold now after that win has taken place. In other words, I am not going to be put in the position into which the other' side through its friends in the country seek to force me. lam not going to be used as the butt to injure the Liberal and' Labor party of this country. (Loud applause from Liberal members.) They have used me as a butt, raising cries of every conceivable kind against me, per-, sonal matters which were not misrepresentations but deliberate and wilful falsehoods. (Loud applause.)

INTO THE RANK AND FILE. "What I say to the Liberals and workers! is this: I am prepared to go into the rank and'file of the LiberalLabor party to stand by and help them to the utmost of my ability. But I will undertake to say that as a free man I will be a inuch more danger.Ous man than I am with my present responsibilities. I have now to curb my tongue, and am unable to do what the Leader of the Opposition and his peripatetic A band have been trying to do. But I do not care for these attacks. As a matter of fact, I have been responsible'for saving this country from a crisis three times '■ in my history, and you will not find one unsuccessful flotation of a loan, large or small. Whether the Opposition or Government press criticises the Governor'* Speech, or whosoever carries it out, I have- had the satisfaction of indicating a policy that will "nable the men carrying it out to drag V■■>. Leader of the Opposition at the ciiariot wheels. That policy will riot be carried out in one or two sessions, but it is the groundwork for those who want to stand by the farmer and the worker. (Loud applause.) The Liberal and Labor parties have nothing to thank the large landowners for. The majority of the people of the North Island may be my temporary enemies, but I will never be theirs, and in my private capacity after we win, and we will win, I am prepared to assist, my party, and have a liappy time in Bellamy's with Mr. Massey and his lieutenants. I will help the Liberal and Labor parties to check the large landed gormandiser from sweeping them out of existence." (Loud applause.)