The Waipukurau Press. Friday, August 3, 1906. POLITICAL.

Waipukurau Press, Volume I, 3 August 1906, Page 2

The Waipukurau Press. Friday, August 3, 1906. POLITICAL.

The return of Sir Joseph Ward to New Zealand and the near approach of the meeting of Parliament revives matters political, and it is befitting the reception that has been accorded the honourable gentleman as the recognised head of the Government. The generous spirit which has characterised the attitude of the Hon. W. Hall-Jones has made the way easy for Sir Joseph. Had the Minister for Public Works had designs upon the position the home-coming of the member for Awarua would not have been so pleasant, but he has been received with open arms as the leader of the new party.

Sib Joseph Ward has been a noted figure in New Zealand politics for a number of years, and in a most remarkable manner retained the confidence of his constituents, perhaps more so than any member of the sitting Hous®. He has always been recognised as a force worthy of consideration, and an honourable opponent. The business-like manner in which he has controlled the affairs of the Railway Department has emphasised hi» managerial qualifications, and being a man of keen vision and fluent speech, he stands highest in the Liberal ranks in New Zealand. On more than one occasion he has ably represented New Zealand in the Old Land on important conferences, and has made good impress sions on th® representatives of the

Empire. At the recent Postal Conference he made a telling speech in favour of penny postage, and it was through his eloquence that the Conference was persuaded to give New Zealand an indepen dent vote instead of joined with Australasia.

The late Premier, had he been spared to meet the House, had a pledged following of great strength behind him, but Sir Joseph Ward is confronted with a far different position, and it to be seen now the various forces —so firmly held by the late Mr Seddon—can be welded together and formed into a consolidated party. Already there are indications that the Labour Party are about to form themselves into a separate body, and the seekers for office are now so great that th© prospective Premier is bound to cause discontent no matter who is selected. It is satisfactory to note, however, that Sir Joseph recognises the necessity for the re-construction of the Cabinet, realising how essential the strength of the Government is , to his life as Premier.

While, we are told, the cardinal features of the late Ministry’s policy will be maintained, the new Government will meet and formulate their programme, which will ’be awaited with interest. It must take some time for the new House to settle down to the altered state of things, but that new parties will arise seems a foregone conclusion. It is predicted that the session will be a short one, and we think we voice the sentiment of the colony generally when we say the shorter the better. This last few years w® have had a surfit of legislatiou that a temporary sessation would be hailed ’with satisfaction. The country wants a rest, and were the I “ Talking Shop** closed for twelve months a lot of good would result, and members would then return to their labours far better prepared to face the problems of the future.