THE ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1920, Page 7

THE ELECTIONS.

Mr. W. D. Lysnar informed the Poverty Bay Herald that he notices in the telegraphed press report of the position of the political parties that he is treated and included as a supporter of the Reform Government. So far as he personally is concerned he lias never stated anything either publicly or privately that would justify * anyone in classing him a3 straight-out supporter ,of the Reform Government. His position is still the same as he explained to the electors prior to the election. He is still absolutely independent and until ho knows what the Reform Government proposes to do in connection with the solution of the main political problems he cannot say whether he will ultimately support the Reform Government or not. Meantime in view of the apparently official intimation of the state of the parties he thought it only right to make his position clear locally at this juncture. At the same time he states that he has no control over what appears in the press, but he can only state his position as he knew it himself. Reform Government or not, he will at all times endeavor to support the interests of the Dominion before party strife,

Referring to the loss of Sir Joseph Ward to Parliament, a contributor to the Eltham Argus says: It is in his nature to be generous-hearted and considerate of others. One night be was putting a certain class of estimates through the House. An unfortunate error, somewhat serious, was discovered by the Committee of the Whole, and various attacks were being made upon Sir Joseph hv the Opposition of the day. For hours they kept pegging away at him in the manner so much appreciated by the Opposition when they desire to give a Minister "A bad spin with his estimates." Quietly, unconcernedly, Sir Joseph put up with the gruelling, taking upon his own shoulders all the blame for the mistake. This went on for a long time, and one of the Government Whips sat by the side of Sir Joseph Ward and said: "Haven't you had enough of this, Sir Joseph? Why not Explain matters and let them know whose fault it was?" Sir Joseph quietly smiled, and replied: "If I give the fellow away it might injure him hereafter. Mr back is broader than his; they can't hurt me; let them go on until they are tired, and then we shall get the class through, and no more will be beard of the matter." And so he sat in the pillory for hours and bore a ileuce of a political pelting: was accused of blundering, and smilingly took it all rather than injure the prospects of the civil servant who was responsible for the 1 unfortunate blunder. It takes a kindhearted man 'to do that -sort of thing.