SIR JOSEPH WARD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 209, 2 March 1912, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD

A TRIBUTE ERolf HIS PARTY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. At a meeting of the Liberal, Labor and Independent parties, the following motion was carried: "That this meeting desires to tender Sir Joseph Ward its assurance of its hearty appreciation of his distinguished and valuable services as Leader of the Liberal Party, and congratulates him on the many liberal and progressive measures introduced by him and passed by the Government, which have proved of great benefit to people of this Dominion. "Those assembled also desire to congratulate Sir Joseph Ward on the fact that the no-confidence motion recently moved by the Opposition was defeated, and now that the right hon. gentleman is voluntarily retiring from the leadership they wish to express their great satisfaction at his intention to continue to assist the Liberal and progressive forces of the Dominion in the common fight against the Opposition or the Conservative Party. They are persuaded that the name of Sir Joseph Ward will be recorded in history as one of the foremost statesmen and ablest administrators in the Australian colonies."

The motion, which was moved by Mr. J, Colvin and seconded by Dr. Te Rangihiroa, was spoken to by Messrs. Robertson, Veitch, T. W. ' Rhodes, Forbes, Co#tes,' Hindmarsh, Payne, McCallum, G. W. Russell, Parata and Atmore, by whom it was cordially endorsed. The gathering broke up with cheers for Sir Joseph and Lady Ward. It is reported that every one of the forty members who voted against the amendment of the Opposition in the House last night was either present or accounted for, and that the gathering was most enthusiastic.