THE LIBERAL LEADER.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 182, 1 August 1913, Page 5

THE LIBERAL LEADER.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME.

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT AUCKLAND.

RETURN FROM A HOME VISIT. . - i i FUTURE PLANS INDICATED. Sir Joseph Ward, who has been on an extended visit to the Old Country, returned to Auckland by the Niagara this morning, and he was accorded an enthusiastic welcome home at an informal, but representative, gathering at the Star Hotel this morning. Mr. P. J. Nerheny presided, and there was an attendance of about ODe hundred and fifty including Messrs. A. M. Myers, M.P., A. E. Glover, M.P., K. Salmon, V. J. ' Napier, G. L. Peacocke, _;. Leydon, J. Trevethick, T. W. Leys, F. Lawry, R. T. Michaels, M. 'J. Sheahan, J"*. Bollard, M.P., A. Sanford, E. 11. Potter, Geo. Fowlds, C. Westphal, W. E. Hackett, J. R. Lundon, and Superintendent Mitchell. "OUR UNSWERVING LOYALTY." Mr. Nerheny, on behalf of the Liberal and Labour Federation in and around Auckland, and on behalf of numerous supporters of Liberalism, extended a hearty welcome to Sir Joseph on his return. "I can assure you," he remarked, "of our unswerving loyalty to the Liberal party, in the ranks of which you have held such a foremost place, and in leading which you have shown yourself to be a statesman, admired throughout the British Empire." (Applause.) | The speaker went on to say that the proceedings that day were of an informal nature, in view of the preparations for a big reception at Wellington worthy of the occasion and of the man who had rendered such distinguished service to the Dominion and the Empire; but the fact that Wellington, usually slow to move, was at last prepared to give recognition to a public man did not detract from the spontaneity and heartiness of the local welcome. It was, he said, a matter of interest to find that Sir Joseph was held in the highest esteem by the greatest statesmen of the Homeland, a tribute ! gained by the ability he had always d:aI played in dealing with questions ot •national importance. Reference was ' made to the Dreadnought gift, the bitter j opposition it provoked, and the effect it had in bringing about the Liberal I reverse, but the speaker declared that i even opponents now admitted that Sir I Joseph had done the right thing at the I right time and in the right place. | (Applause.) He wished Sir Joseph j health and strength to continue the I battle in the cause of Liberalism, for progress, prosperity and happiness,' and that he might be "long spared to work with others in that direction. (Continued applause.) DEVELOPING THE WIDER OUTLOOK. In associating himself with the reI marks of Mr. Nerheny, the next speaker, j Mr. A. M. Myers remarked that it was ; a source of satisfaction and pride to I them all to find that they had a citizen. I who could in private life" as well as in an official position, worthily represent the Dominion in the Mother Country. This was shown by Sir Joseph's sayings and doings while at Home, and by the fact that he was always enthusiastically received by those who were fighting for the great objective of the welding of the Empire. He had already played a conspicuous part m the development of the wider outlook, and would yet be able to give greater assistance to the Empire in the same direction. In the speaker's opinion, the Dominion could not afford to lose the services of, a man of such ripe experience as possessed by Sir Joseph, a man of wide administrative ability, who had spent many years of his life in the furtherance of local and Empire interests. (Loud applause.) Although he had suffered politically a good deal by the Dreadnought gift, it could not be gainsaid that for the one brilliant idea alone Sir Joseph could look back on his past with pride. (Applause.) He expressed the hope that Sir Joseph would be long spared to still take a prominent part in the affairs of the Dominion and the Empire. (Applause.) SIR JOSEPH AS LEADER. In the course of a characteristic speech, Mr. A. E. Glover declared that it would not be long before Sir Joseph would be found leading the Liberal party in the forefront of the' battle, and he, with others, felt sure that the ex-Prime Minister would rise to the occasion and accomplish much, as on the past, in the best interests of the country as a whole. "Rest assured," the speaker remarked, "that your stock never stood higher in the Dominion than it does to-day." (Applause.) Mr. Glover remarked upon the fact that Sir Joseph never decried, while at Home, or anywhere else, the credit of the Dominion, as had been done previously by members of the present Government when in opposition. Every act of Parliament that Sir Joseph had tried to place on the Statute Book was not in t/ne interests of one class but for the general good of all. "A MIGHTY MISTAKE.* 'Hon. George Fowlds said that, as an old colleague, he was glad to be present to take part in the welcome to Sir Joseph. He remarked that it was a matter of pleasure to him to find, from the prospectus of the recent Government loan, that from the lips of the opponents of Sir Joseph it was clearly demonstrated New Zealand was in a sound position financially. Although he had left the Government of which Sir Joseph was the head, he was not antagonistic, 36 his only reason, as given at the time, was that the Government was not proceeding fast enough. There was no doubt that Sir Joseph and the party were punished at the last elections for sins of which they were not guilty, and throughout New Zealand there was a deeper realisation of the fact that a mighty mistake had been made, and the country was only awaiting the next elec l tion to return the party of progress and prosperity. BRILLIANT VICTORY PREDICTED. Mr. W. J. Napier applauded Sir Joseph on his Imperialistic spirit and for standing out for the one indivisible navy. His statesmanship and foresight in that direction had even convinced he opponents, who had now come round and were prepared to discredit the idea of a small baby navy for New Zealand. The reason why Sir Joseph was always received with enthusiasm by the statesrata of the Empire wm because hewaa

legarded as the supreme man, who tad always advocated the. true indivisibility of the Empire. If appointed to the head of the party, he believed Sir Joseph would be able to lead them to one of the most brilliant victories that Liberalism had ever achieved in New Zealand. (Applause.) A GREAT STATESMAN. Mr P. Lawry, as an old colleague of Sir Joseph Ward, said he would like to add a few words of welcome. He had entered Parliament at the same time as _ir Joseph Ward, and had had the opportunity of watching his career. Sir Joseph had developed into a statesman of the first water. New Zealand was proud of him, and the Empire was proud of him. Mr. La wry went on to refer to the weight Sir Joseph's opinion earned at Home, and said it was largely due to the cheerful and optimistic view of the country's position given by Sir Joseph at Home that the present Minister for Finance had been able to raise his recent loan of £3,000,000. MEN WITH IDEAS WANTED. Mr. T. W. Leys heartily supported the remarks of previous speakers, and went on to say that Sir Joseph was a statesman of whom New Zealand should be proud. His name was indelibly marked on the history of this country, as well as on the history of the British Empire, not merely because of his Dreadnought gift, but by reason of the postal reform he had instituted. In other directions the speaker eulogised the work of Sir Joseph, who, he said, could not live in New Zealand without occupying a foremost place in the political arena. Men capable of leadership and with ideas were wanted in New Zealand, where the opportunities for experiments in social and industrial laws were greater than offered in older countries, where the vested and glass interests were more strongly entrenched, and there was a greater weight of prejudice to be overcome. New Zealand had led the way in many economic experiments . which had attracted the attention of social reformers in Great Britain and the United States. Such legislation ;ould be tested practically with less risk of failure and disaster than in older countries. SIR JOSEPH "WARD'S REPLY. On rising to reply, Sir Joseph swas accorded a continued round of applause. He expressed his sincere appreciation of 1 the warmth of the welcome extended to him, and stated that if it was informalhe recognised that it was none the less 'heartfelt, and he was proud to meet such a large gathering on his return to dear old New Zealand. While not desiring to be egotistical, he wished to mention one or two personal matters that necessarily cropped up in meeting friends of many years' standing and- in replying to a welcome such as had been accorded to him. He regarded it as only the right thing while in. the Old Country, even though there as a private citizen, to _o everything in his power in every direction possible, both privately and publicly, to help in sustaining the "strength and" position of the Dominion. (Applause.) He had never at any time attempted to depreciate any man opposed to him in a high position for the purpose of breaking down the position. Such a policy was mischievous for any country. It was an easy matter to criticise the public actions or public policy of any man or party in power, but he looked upon it as quite unnecessary to make it a personal matter to prejudice the man of the hour who was doing his best to carry out his important duties. Therefore, believing, as he did, he had always done his best to help to show this was a great country and worthy of the fullest support. (Applause.) I

- AN EMPIRE Referring in passing to the Dreadnought gift, to which allusion had been made by the speakers, Sir Joseph remarked that he had never at-any time attempted to take individual credit for the presentation. It was true that no one had suggested that the gift of a [Dreadnought was a desirable way to help j the Empire at the time, but he did have i a knowledge of the' circumstances nnd that the occasion was one for the outlying Dominions to show to the outeide world that if a hair of the head of the parent was touched the younger colonies had to be reckoned with. (Applause.) The gift had served the purpose'of showing the closeness of the ties existing between the Motherland and the Dominion. It was his firm opinion, however, that the great subject of the defence of the Empire should be kept clear of party politics, but this had not been done by his opponents at the last election. The vast majority of th. people, independent of political opinion, believed that the solidarity of the Empire meant tbe solidarity of the British Empire, and from the standpoint of the protection of all interests, small or great, the one and only thing on the sea that kept us right was having an Empire navy so powerful that no combination of Powers would attempt to attack it.

WHEN' TO SINK PARTY MATTERS. ', He remarked that in the Old Country New Zealand stood in the highest position. He had met leading men_ on all sides of the great political world, but had never discussed either the present Government or dealt with the politics of this country behind anyone's back or out in the open, on the principle that in New Zealand they required to deal with all jPffairs in the way that the majority of people desired. And in his view it was not the general desire that public men should go abroad to discuss politics for the .purpose of gaining any advantage. He should not omit to say that in a rapidly-developing country like New Zealand it was at all times a very difficult matter to carry out the heavy work involving on those in power. In the past he had frequently to keep things quiet, and had in consequence met very hot criticism, but he believed that occupants of responsible positions would find that they were compelled to do the same if they were going to achieve the best for the country. It was of the first consequence that where the delicate, difficult and complex matter of public finance was involved that opponents of the party would do all in their power calculated to strengthen the position of the country. It was always desirable to sink party" matters and help on in concrete the "solidity of the Dominion.

THE LIBERAL LEADERSHIP.

Sir Joseph went on to- refer to the o-eneral suggestion made that he should again accept the leadership of the Liberal party. He had not only received many communications, but had been interviewed immediately on ]_3 arrival in Australia, and asked to state what he intended to do when he got 'back to New Zealand. He also found at the gathering that day that there was an intention, though not expressed, to draw from him his future plans. He went on to say that he would be wanting in a 6ense of selfrespect if he did not acknowledge gratefully the communications received by wire, and the expressions-given utterance to by old friends in connection with the matter. He took the'• opportunity 'of saying that he had never at any tune, ia public life forced Mmeelf an any-party

or attempted to extract _com. H anybody a personal favour or assistance —which he had always appreciated when given— unless it was freely made. (Loud applause.) It had been stated by one or more of the speakers, that the present gathering was really anticipatory of a larger one to take place in Wellington in the course of a few days, hut he did not ccc that even then he would be able to make his position any clearer than he could that day. SIR JOSEPH'S POSITION. He mentioned, in passing, that he had really taken the trip Home for the purpose of regaining his health after his long years of arduous and responsible work, and while away, he had found it necessary to get relief from a gumtrouble that had now been removed and left him fit and well. He added, that the future was absolutely unknown to anyone. "I have not,' he declared, "to force myself, and I do not want to lead any member of Parliament to supposing that I - want to -take lip the position of lea-der, or a position of 'Minister of the Crown in connection -with the party, unless that party is absolutely true to itself. (Applause.) A house divided will never stand. Sections of the .party split up as it is cannot expect to-make a solid defence, nor anything like effective progress." . A HEARTY RECEPTION. •He appreciated the sentiment- given utterance to by the various speakers, and the further statement made by Mr Fowlds as to his resignation from the Ministry. He could not do more at present than 6ay that he was going back to Wellington to represent his constituency, which was a very important one. and which at the last election an attempt was made to take from himl He did not object to fair or hard fighting, but when it came to a matter 'of the protection of the interests of the people, all personal differences should be 6unk, and a resolute and united attempt made to promote the general good of the country. He concluded by again expressing his heartiest thanks for the welcome extended to him, and resumed his seat amid6tj an enthusiastic outburst of applause, followed by three lusty cheers, and three more for Lady Ward.