THE PRIME MINISTER.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13234, 30 September 1908, Page 7

THE PRIME MINISTER.

HIS POLITICAL ANNIVERSARY

(rRXSS ASSOCIATION -TELICHAM.)

WELLINGTON, September 29

At the usual dinner adjournment this evening members of the Liberal Party in the House of Representatives assembled in the Legislative Council Chamber to make a presentation of a pair of h&ndsomo silver candelabra to Sir Joseph Ward on the occasion of the twenty-first annhersary of his entry into politics.

Mr Hornsby, who was in the chair, congratulated Sir Joseph Ward on the event, and hoped he might have many happy future political anniversaries if he wished to remain in the hurly-burJy ot politics. He referred eloquently to tub courtesy and chivalry which had always characterised tho actions of Sir Joseph. They , desired to offer not merely with fealty of followers, but with tho esteem of friends, the candelabra before him as a sign of their admiration and regaid. The candelabra uere emblematic of Sir Joseph Ward's career At the base were steps showing how he had risen up the political ladder; then rose a pillar pi strength, and then tho branches spreading out, holding lights emblematic of his services. Mr Hornsby then presented tho jandelabra, and the following ad-

dress: — "Wellington, New Zealand, "26th September, 1908. "To the Right Hon bir Joseph Ward P. 0., K.C.M.G., LL.D., Prime Minister of the Dominion of New Zealand, — ''Right Honourable Sir, — ••'Jo-day, under the happiest auspices, nainelv. "the celebration by the people of New Zealand of tho first anniversary of their Dominion Day, you complete .\our twenty-first year of Parliamentary 'life, and now occupy the position of Leader of the Liberal Party, and holder of tho highest office in tho gift of tho people. "We feel that we should not allow this opportunity to pass without giving expression to the respect and esteem in which we hold you as a man, and the confidence we have in you as our leader. We therefore ask you to accept a tangible token of our regard. During the twenty-one years you have been in Parliament you have served the people ot New Zealand in the highest sense of the term, and have won your way, step by step, until to-day you stand the worthy successor of the great Liboral statesmen of tho past. "We wish jjou and Lady Ward, together with the other members of your ramiiv, continued health and happiness, and wo trust that you may live to see the fruition of those hopes which we know have sustained you in all that you have done in tho past—hopes "which we believe will inspire you in what you may yet be enabled do for New Zealand and her people. The gift is inscribed:—"lßß7 Souvenir 18j8, presented oy the members of the Liboral Party in the House of Representatives to the Right Honourable Sir Joseph Ward, P.C., K.C.MXr., LL.D., Prime Minister of this Dominion, to celebrate tho completion by him of twehty-one years of political life in New Zealand, Kia ora, Aroha. Sir William Steward, as the oldest member of the Parliament of Zealand, said it was an honour to congratulate the Prime 'Minister on his distinguished career, on the able manner in which he. had represented' the Dominion in Europe and in Australia, and on tho honour conferred upon him by the King in calling him to the Privy Council and conferring upon him the insignia of tho most distinguished order of St. Michael and St. George.

Messrs La wry. Poland, and Parata (on behalf of tho native race)'' also spoke. Sir Joseph Ward, who was received with long applause, thanked his friends from the bottom of his heart for what they had done. It was too much for a public man to go through life in a very prominent position without meeting—sometimes desorvealy—opposition; but all the more must such an one appreciate deeply the action of members in doing what the members of tho Liberal party were doing on this occasion. Sir Joseph Ward went on to refer to tho great changes in tho Houso in the past twenty-one years, and said ho hoped in years to come the people would bo able to credit members of the present House with conscientious endeavours to do their best for the country. He thankea Sir William Steward and Messrs Lawry, Poland, and Parata for their kindly references to Jiimsclf and family, and felt sure his family would deeply appreciate the honour done to him.