THE LIBERAL LEADER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 72, 18 December 1919, Page 10

THE LIBERAL LEADER

SPEECH BY SIR JOSEPH WARD

WANTS TO SEE STRONG GOVERNMENT, At a Into hour Sir Jospph. Ward iddresscd the crowd from (he balcony of the "New Zealand Times.'" At the "outset he was greeted with sporadic cheers and hoots, hut these soon subsided, and ho was permitted to sneak without interruption. Sir Joseph Ward spoke in very modulated hues, and expressed reject at the defeat of his party, and went on to say that as far ns his own defeat was concerned lie viewed the matter philosophically, as a man should do. He personally had.no regrets, and he was not "oinjr to complain of his reveree. At the same time, however, in reviewing the wholo election he could not compliment his opponents on. the methods they had employed in order to irain their victory, He had «>rveil a vc-rv long time m Hie public life <:f th? Dominion, and ho wished to tender his deep thanks to the people who had. stood by him and his .Party. He honed to have the opportunity of meeting these people and thankins: them for having stood bv him for so many years. He added that he looked upon the position quite dispassionately, nnd that it had to be borne in mind that it would probably take n day or two before the definite state of the parties- was known. He was anxious to see that the outcome would be the formation of a strom: and wise fiovernment in the general interests of the people of New Zealand. because he realised that the eountrv had before it verv difficult tasks which would take all the 'brains_ .and all the efforts of the new Parliament to further the best interest' of the people, "T want to assure you." ho continued, "that Ihroii'rhout the whole time Ihavo been in public life, whether the people think so or not. tlmt U- ha* been my effort always to do the right thins. There are thos& who don't see eye to ere in politics, who are disposed In fake Die wor c t view of .1 jniu''* effort* in imblic life. That is. one of the wprst futures in public life "• Ibis country." Passing or, Sir Joseph Ward «xnro'*crl 1p- 1,-een regret at a number of tb« old Libcals hcviiur "pono dwn |ii the slrnjcle." Ke referred particularly to Sir James Carroll, whose services and fine personality he eulogised. ]Te (Sir Joseph Ward) expected that all th" others «-l«n, like himself, had been defcteil. would take the position like snort'mien should do. Personally he took it as such. (Applause, ispd cries of "Good old Jof>."\ Sir Jnepnli Ward neain reminded the crowd that be had always be"' their faithful yurvnnt, and had exorH his utmost ability on their liehalf. Three hearh- cheers were then accorded Si'r Joseph Ward, who. in acknowlodsinp; these, extended to nil the compliments of the season, and concluded with these word-: "t now wish you mi revoir nnd rimd-'""M, and the best of good luck to you all,"