PRIME MINISTER RESIGNS LEADERSHIP

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 10377, 15 May 1930, Page 3

PRIME MINISTER RESIGNS LEADERSHIP

Yields to Doctor’s Advice. ANNOUNCEMENT AT ROTORUA. (Per Press Association.! Auckland, May 15 At a meeting of Cabinet at Rotorua to-day, the lU. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward resigned the Premiership. STATEMENT BY SIR JOSEPH, Rotorua, May 15

It will be remembered that towards the end of last session of Parliament 1 suffered a breakdown in health, necessitating my temporary retirement from active participation in official duties. Early in the present year I came to Rotorua, where I am still undergoing a course of treatment. While I have experienced considerable benefit during my sojourn at Rotorua my medical advisers have intimated to mo, that in the interests of health, it is essential I should have freedom from work and official worry. After full consultation with my colleagues, and being inspired by a keen desire that my indisposition should not. in any way hamper the efficient administration of the public affairs of the Dominion, I have decided on mature consideration to yield to the advice which has been tendered me by my doctors. Accordingly, I am taking steps to place my resignation as Prime Minister in the hands of His Excellency the Governor-General. I need hardly say I take this course with the greatest regret, because I hoped that the state of my health would have permitted me to devote my services to the progress and welfare of New Zealand for a still longer period. However, the fates have ordained otherwise, and the time has now' arrived for me to lay down the reins of office. In doing so I look back to practically a life-time spent in my country's service. I entered Parliament a young man and almost continuously through the intervening years I have devoted what abilities I possessed to service lo my country in the capacity as an ordinary member of the House,* as Minister of the Crown and as Prime Minister. During this long period 1 have at various times encountered strong' opposition. What man in public life does not? but. I made lasting friendships. To me the inspiring motive of service has been an earnest desire to advance the progress and prosperity of this fair land. I have seen the development of the Dominion proceed in a truly wonderful manner. It is to-day a legitimately proud claim for -one to call himself a New Zealander, and it will be for future generations to see that they guard jealousy the heritage which will he their’s. Though the times through which we are now passing are not without difficulties and pressing problems, and though the horizon may appear darkened by clouds, there is always a silver lining, and the characteristic tenacity of our people will enable them to surmount the obstacles in the path of national progress and to win through. To my Ministerial colleagues I desire to express my deep gratitude for their loyal cooperation in the task of government. I know full well that my ill-health has rendered the way not easy for them. I cannot speak too highly of the devotion and assistance to the leaders of the other two poliitcal parties as well as to all other Members of Parliament. I desire to tender my sincere acknowledgements of the uniform courtesy, more especially during the time of my illness. 1 should also like to take the opporunlty of paying tribute to the zeal and efficiency of the heads of the State Departments and members of the public service. I speak with years of experience when I say New Zealand has been indeed well and faithfully served by Government officers.

EVENING QF OFFICIAL LIFE. To my fellow citizens who extended so much consideration to me, particularly during recent months, I should like to voice my deep appreciation of their kindness and sympathy, and now that the evening of my official life is drawing to a close I have nothing hut feelings of friendliness and goodwill to each and every one. May the laud we love so well prosper exceedingly in the coming years, secure in its freedom and liberties under the Crown, which I fervently trust will always stand as a symbol of the unity of our great British commonwealth. .. Sgd. JOSEPH GEORGE 'WARD.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, also made a statement to-day regarding the imperial Conference. “It is generally known, - said fan Joseph, "that the date for the meeting in London of the next Imperial Conference has been fixed, after consultation with the Dominions, for 30th September next, tommunications have been and still ate passing between His Majesty s Government in the United Kingdom amt the Dominion governments respecting the agenda for the Con^}' eu . < : ' as well as in connection with tne subjects which more appropriate y belong to the economic side oi me Conference. It is the intention of the Government to submit to muniment at the beginning of the coming session a statement regal amt the Conference, and also as to the representation of New Zealami. the meantime the Departments P‘ ' ticularly concerned are engaged i« the preparation of the neeessaiy data in connection with the sobjects which will come up for cousidtiation at the Conference.