THOSE WINDSOR UNIFORMS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11010, 6 July 1901, Page 8

THOSE WINDSOR UNIFORMS.

SIR JOSEPH WARD EXPLAINS. • (SFSCUL TO "THK PBM3.") WELLINGTON, July 5. A good fighting speech was -delivered in the Home to-night by Sir Joseph Ward, who vigorously defended the policy pursued by the Railway Department. He eschewed the personal element till the last five minutes, when he replied to the comments that bad been made about his Windsor uniform. Hβ thought his honourable friend, Captain Russell, had rather gone out of his way to insult a uniform which from his own military instincts he should have been above insulting. No man going to the Old Country occupying a responsible position but.received invitations to many important functions and if they were not accepted it would be a reflection on his own country. \ man could only go to such functions in Th.3 uniform that was in question. A memln'V of the Atkinson Government, namely b.r Frederick WUitaker, hnd worn tho uniform, and no comment was made. .Mr Atkinson—Didn't you take yours on to the Brooklyn? Sir Joseph—No, 1 did not. Mr Mfu-sey— I think the Premier took his U> tlia islands. Sir Joseph said ha did not think thfi fact of putting on a uniform changed v man's dtjuiicter or nature. (Hear, hear.) If it created ii feeling of envy in his honourable frh'nd. ho was very sorry that he had not quaiifud to wear it. Captain Russell—l have qualified. I could wear it to-morrow.

Sir Joseph, quickly retorted, "Then the hon. member is afraid to show his legs in it." Personally, ha had never decried or talked against men accepting titular distinction. If a man occupying an important position had'earned a distinction and refused tluit distinction when asked to accept it that would be snobbishness. If they thought it was going to make any change in his nature or disposition or that they were going to brush him ankle politically because of that reason, then they were'making a great mistake, both as regarded public or private opinion.