SIR JOSEPH WARD, BART.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10268, 21 June 1911, Page 4

SIR JOSEPH WARD, BART.

New Zealand has been honoured, in a way, by the conferring of a baronetcy upon its Prime Minister. Sir Joseph Ward has made himself the most prominent Imperialist in the Empire during the last few years. His gift of a Dreadnought on behailif of New Zealand, on Ids own volition, was a mastoiMstroke of aggrandisement. His more recent attempt to create an Imperial Council of Defence, without deigning to consult the .people of this country, added to his lustre—and he has got his reward in a Baronetcy. The moral is obvious, ilf one wishes to aspire to titular greatness, he. must play the game for all it is worth. Sir Joseph has played it. He is mo longer plain "Sir Joseph." He is a real live baronet. On Ms return to New Zealand he will be welcomed with open Win®. The. bands will play "Rule Britannia!" The guns at the forts will herald his approach! The Government offices wall be dosed for.the day! We shall all be happy! And in this world of "every man for himself," his Satanic Majesty will take the hindmost—which, will be the working man.who is striving to maintain, a family on eight shillings a day! A Baronet at-the head of a working-man's Government will, be a sight for the gods!