TRIBUTES TO THE PRIME MINISTER.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14306, 18 March 1912, Page 7

TRIBUTES TO THE PRIME MINISTER.

(rnCSS ASSOCIATION TELEOBAM.I.)

TAURANGA, March 16

At a meeting of supporters of tho Liberal Party held to-day, tho following resolution was passed :—"That this meeting of supporters of the Liberal Party tender their hearty congratulations to Sir Joseph Ward on tho splendid and straightforward manner in which ho has conducted matters, and on the victory ho obtained, during tho late crisis, and express their sympathy in the many trying experiences to which ho, has lately been subjected; also their extreme regret at his retirement from tho Leadership of the party, and their high appreciation of the great ■work he has accomplished in the past in tho interest of true Liberalism, and tho prosperity of our Dominion, and their continued confidence in him as their Leader. They hope that at no distant date_ he will be persuaded to reconsider his decision and again resume the leadership of the party ho has led so well."

At a representative patborinp; held hero this afternoon, tho following resolution was unanimously carried: — "That this meeting of Liberals of Hsiwern. and surrounding districts reprot<; tbo temporary retirement of Sir Joseph Wnrd from the Libpvnl Leadership, and trusts that ho will consider tho necessity of acrn'n assuming tho Leadership at an early date."