A HEARTY WELCOME.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 185, 5 August 1913, Page 7

A HEARTY WELCOME.

XfTELLLRGrTON AWD SIR JOSEPH WA3B. NO NEWS OF LEADERSHIP, my Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON". Monday. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder' applies in politics as in matters more generally associated with sentiment, and there can he no doubt that the absence of Pir Joseph Ward from Uew Zealand during the last few months fcas given a great rcany people time to appreciate better some of the qualities possessed by the mau who has been recosnised as the leader of Liberalism in New Zealand politics for the last halfdozen years. Wellington was never a stronghold 0 f the Government when the Liberals were in power, but the capital city, with its hordes of Civil servants, was ever a fickle creature in politics, for it seems to be a matter witb it to be "a»in the Government." Whether this was a factor in the remarkably enthusiastic greeting which Sir Joseph received on his arrival at the Thorndon station to-day, or whether it can be taken as significant of the revulsion of public opinion in favour of the man who was practically turned down by many of his own friends at the last election, it is. of course, difficult to estimate with accuracy. The fact, however, remains that nearly a thousand cheering and very enthusiastic citizens of Wellington welcomed the returned leader at the railway station this afternoon. Early in the morning a dozen or more Liberal members of the House journeyed as far as Paimerston to meet their old chief, while Sir John Findlay left later and joined him at Paekakariki. A number of others waited at the Thorndon platform to join in the welcomp home, a dramatic colour to which was lent by a band of stalwart natives, who, lei by the chieftain Te Heuheu Tukino. performed a stirring haka as the train steamed in. After the first cheering had subsided, a brief address of welcome was delivered by the chairman of the citizens' reception committee, followed by more haka, and then Sir Joseph, looking exceptionally well and fit after his travels abroad, expressed h's appreciation ot the heartiness with which he bad been welcomed home. "All right. Joe. we've got you hack, and we mean to keep you," "Good boy. Joey." and "Ward's all right." were some of the shouts which greeted his assnrances of pleasure upon being back in New Zealand, and generally everyone seemed plentifully pleased at the home-coming. After a few more words indicative of his belief in New Zealand as one of tbe best and brightest little spots in the world in which to make a home, the assemblage delivered itself up to renewed cheers for the wanderer retnrned and his lady, and with a few handshakes and persona! exchanges of well-wishing, Sir Joseph entered the waiting carriage, and was whirled away citywards to his hotel to prepare him for the bigger and more formal demonstrations in tbe Town Hall. A CITIZEN'S WELCOME. This welcome was a revelation of warmth and cordiality. One of the city's worst weather samples did not deter something like 2,500 people from crowding tie large hall to its doors, leaving just room i-uouirh on the (front part of a roomy platform for leading Liberals in and out of Parliament, who gathered to participate in the happy celebration. It was the Mayor, Mr. J. P. Luke, who put into words the welcome voiced with a roar of cheering upon Sir Joseph's appearance. When thr gne-st rose to reply, a Maori dance of welcome, blended curiously with the strains of " He's a jolly good -fellow," topped off with more cheers. Like most other people in the great audience, the Mayor wondered if Sir Joseph would take them into his confidence regarding future plans, but the returned statesman was not prepared to give out his intentions. He declared quite frankly that ihe had not followed New Zealand politics very closely during his eight absence, as he was very happy to get a hobday. He was glad to be back again among smiling faces, and to hear that legislators had been particularly actively engaged in Parliament. fa In ihe course of a day or two," he said, "I shall again join the ranks as a private member '' ~ As a leader." shouted someone in the audience, an interruption signalised with a great burst of applause. Sir Joseph calmly completed his sentence——" to assist my brother members as far as I can—(A Voice: To put MasBey out!)—in helping onward and forward this beautiful possession under the Southern Cross, in which I am proud to be back." An enthusiastic, meeting ended with farther cheering for Sir Joseph and Lady Ward. Members of the Liberal party gave the final welcome of the day to their old chief in the. Opposition Whips' room tonight, after the Town Hall gathering. Sir Joseph received the plainest and most convincing testimony that a solid party, well disciplined and full of enthusiasm, awaits his control if be accepts the unanimous offer, and those who urged him to assume the leadership were quite content to await Sir Joseph's time for his well-considered answer. *EE PAUHERSTON RECEPTION. In a speech made at tbe public welcome at Paimerston, Mr HcNab, ex-Min-ister for Defence and Education, said that they were pleased to 6ee Sh- Joseph back, especially a 6 they had reached a time in the history of the conntry when men hke Sir Joseph were -wanted more than ever. He hoped that such arrangements would he made that Sir Joseph would he pleased to accept the position of J«ider of the Libera] party. (Cries of "Hear, hear," and "Good old Joe,") He ooped that the work which Sir Joseph *ould be able to do in the next few months would be such that with a willrag party at his back and a vigorous People it wonld not be long before Sir Joseph would be back leading the democracy of this country. S:r Joseph Ward in the course of his K Piy said that he had gone away as a private member, and he came back as a Private member. He knew that there *ere feelings among a number of people thai, were of a»verv complimentary cha- «*««. Although it -was not his d'isposifiJ 0 be " <, - arried n ff bis legs," be bell*l. tllese sentiments to be sincere. ivVt.- W t,lle present position in pontics was somewhat difficult. Th» ™en who were on his side bad been doing great deal to carry on the work in a ratisractory way. Re recognised that he "M given up office when tbe position ™>very difficult. In his judgment, they "Tared to be perfectly sure that they ™ Dtrt going to get into a similar F««on to- that fC«MWeet-3HCJHfe-a^>.

»mw? WaS a 6mkm & of dividual ambition, a cementing of the ranks, and a desire not to carry out an impossible . programme, the position of any man who .desired to control any party m this I country would be one of supreme difficulty. He had not .been asked-exce.pi. in this happy .way -he now experienced— |to assume any leadership in New Zealand. He would take the opportunity of carefully ronendering the position for j there were difficulties. He did not wish Ito be placed in a false position. He was | anxious with his supporters to do every i thing in ins power for promoting the (happiness and well-being *of the communrty and the prosperity of the people i of New Zealand.