SIR JOSEPH WARD’S PLANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1922, Page 4

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S PLANS.

NO RETURN TO POLITICS YET, WELLINGTON NORTH’S REQUEST. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A representative deputation waited on Sir Joseph Ward and asked him to stand for Wellington North at the com ing elections. The spokesman said the petition circulated had been signed by 1500, and this was tlie result of one advertise merit .-n the daily press. There had been little more than 24 hours for the electors of North Wellington to come into the city to sign the request al the places where it was left for signatures. Sir Joseph Ward thanked the deputation for their kindness and for the spirit ■which prompted them, adding that he waa deeply sensible of the compliment paid him. He was agreeably surprised at the quarters from which support had been promised, representing all shades of political opinion. B he stood for anywhere it would be either Wellington North or Invercargill, because both places had more than ordinary attraction for him. He had lived in North Wellington for 27 years, and one of his family was born and two were married, there, so he was not a stranger to either the locality or the people. As they weje doubtless aware he spent the greater part of his life in the district of Southland, of which Invercargill was the centre, and to which his former seat, Awarua, was adjacent. No one recognised more than he did the difficulties ahead of the country, and he would, therefore, naturally be proud to be in Parliament to assist in any way in his power to promote the general interests of the country and the well-being of the people, but there *vyas a practical difficulty. As a result of a strenuous life he had a breakdown in health, and though his trouble had. completely disappeared he considered it best for the present to defer re-enter-ing the strenuous activities of public life. Therefore he had with great regret to decline the request. He felt both honored and grateful for the promised support and hoped that at some future tiipe, when circumstances would permit, of yet being able to take a further part in the public life of the country.