SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1919, Page VIII

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

HIS ATTITUDE TO LABOR. By Telegraph.—Press Association. -~ Chrstehurch, Dec. 6. In his address at Leeston last evening Sir Joseph Ward referred to his attitude towards the Labor Party. f He said he was against the men who ; wanted "direct action"—the men who did 'not realise the position the Dominion iWas in to-day. He wanted to say they 'would be responsible for bringing about a condition of things in this country in- . comparably worse than they were before. If "the people of this country * wanted to prevent the small seeds of ; Bolshevism from being sown here and growing up and spreading about the country, they must recognise Labor. He was standing for the country's good and appealing to the moderate section of the community to help. If he were returned as head of the Government he would give Labor its fair representation in that Government. It was not only right, but it was a farseeing thing to do. Mr. W. A. Veitch had been on the footplate, when the speaker was Minister for Bailways. That class of man in the Government of this country would be an antidote against the sowing of those seeds he had referred to. A nettle must be grasped. Sir Joseph Ward pointed out that whenever an extreme section of the Labor Party in the House levelled any criticism against public men it was generally directed against himself. In two places he had refused to put up candidates, as the representatives of that extreme party would probably get in. lie was .not disposed to rest under the imputation that he was in league with the extreme party. The people could go to Fraser and Holland and they would find he had never spoken to either of them in regard to the politics of the future. No agreement had ever been made.

"A CLEAN FIGHT." AIM OF REFORM PARTY. Auckkland, Last Night. Referring to a Press Association message from Asbburton yesterday regarding a statement said to hare been made by Mr. H. M. Jones to the effect that the Rev. Howard. Elliott had asked him to withdraw from the contest,. etc., the Prime Minister said: "I believe the Ashburton incident referred to in the Press Association message to be a political trick such as we have had experience of In previous elections in New Zealand. However, one thing is quite certain. I have never been consulted directly or indirectly about the matter, nor would I allow such a proceeding. The suggestion is to my mind absurd on the face of it.

"It is stated in the telegram that Mr. Jones is a Democratic Liberal candidate, arid this being.the case, I cannot understand his ■withdrawal, being in any way likely to benefit the Eeform candidate, although for genuine Liberalism the latter w probably ahead of the other two candidates. I hope the matter will be thoroughly sifted and the blame placed upon the right shoulders. If I can assist in any way I shall be very glad to do so. -Electors throughout the Dominion who are working with me are out OSI our side for a straight, clean contest, absolutely free from,improper methods or sharp practice in any way whatever." SIR JAMES CARROLL NOMI- ' NATED. ' ;. Gisborne, Dec. B. The nomination of Sir James Carroll for the Gisborne seat was lodged today.