WILL HE RETURN?

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1922, Page 5

WILL HE RETURN?

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S PLANS. THE INVERCARGILL SEAT. CANDIDATURE CONSIDERED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Invercargill, Last Night. Sir Joseph Ward arrived in Invercargill by the express to-night and was received with warmth by a very large crowd. The Mayor welcomed him on behalf of the public. Sir Joseph Ward, in re-monding, said lie had had a good rest since the last election For some time he had been suffering from indisposition, but that had entirely passed away. He had been questioned all over Ne v Zealand as to his political intentions, and he cculd tel) them he had not made up hi.; mind yet. Even if he did not seek election he intended to speak in some part of New Zealand before very long. He had refrained from discussing politics since his return from England, but he thought that at the present tims it might he of some use to the public if he expressed Ills view on important subjects. He had great confidence in the country, but he did not think its difficulties would oe overcome as early as was thought. He was not a pessimist, but he. thought there was a great deal to be accomplished before we could be said to be in a safe position. He had not come to feel the pulses of the people. He had the warmest feeling* of attachment for his old electorate of Awarua, but it was a very large district, and he did not feel at present that he could do justice to such a constituency. Afterwards representatives of the local Liberal organisation met Sir Joseph in conference relative to a proposal that he should contest the Invercargill seat. No announcement has yet been made.

Invercargill is regarded as a safe Libera] seat. It has been held by the Hon. J. A. Hanan, a staunch Liberal, since 1899.