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Cromwell Argus, Volume L, Issue 2649, 24 November 1919, Page 4

When ?. man capable of financing the c mutry through the war was required the Reformers suggested a coalition, aud Sir Joseph Ward was persuaded io swallow his prejudices and to carry on the Department which required unre ingenuity than anyone else in Parliament possessed (says the " Southlander.") The success of his operations has never been questioned, and the fact that he was called on in the greatest emergency yet experienced is an admissiou that every tiling that had previously been said to his discredit had been said in the party spirit, The arrangement has seri <usly handicapped the Liberals, who " played the game " too well to* suit their own interests. That Mr Masscy gathered round him the best brains in the House we are not prepared to say; but, whatever may be Sir Joseph Ward's failings, his is the only claim to statcsr luauship any Minister during the past decade could advance. Mr Masscy realises this better than anyone, yet how does he proceed to ensure that the Liberal leader's services shall be available in the future? For some time it was impossible to persuade anyone to stand against Sir Joseph Ward, because the contest was considered such a forlorn hope, but the Reformers were determined that under other than coalition conditions the " best brains " existed only in the Reform ranks. So Mr J. R. Hamilton has consented to become a candidate, much against his own inclinations. We have nothing but respect for Mr Hamilton as a citizen, but no one would seriously think of comparing him with Sir Joseph Ward where the question of business ability was concerned. When financial advice was required to tide the country over the critical years of the war, Mr Hamilton's aid was not enlisted, and the personnel of the numerous special commissions was com* pleted without his name being mentioned. We say this in no disparagement of Mr Hamilton, but in proof that Mr Massey calls for the " best brains " in a voico that canuot be heard outside his own. camp,