SIR JOSEPH WARD’S ILLNESS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 169, 12 April 1930, Page 13

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S ILLNESS

Sir, —I will reply briefly to the voluminous letter of “Another of the Old Brigade” appearing in your issue of even date. At the outset permit me to state that any correspondent who seizes on some petty clerical or typographical error for cynical insinuations is a sure indication of defeat against concrete facts. One would imagine that because Sir Joseph Ward has been laid aside by illness for several months that his Government automatically becomes immune from criticism, which is of course too ridiculous for words. My criticism is not directed at Sir Joseph Ward personally, but at the policy of the Government of which he is the head and whose departure from pre-elec-tion pledges was not only reflected in the result of the recent by-election at the Hutt but will be repeated at Parnell by the defeat of the Government candidate. While ignoring Biblical and other quotations, I would remind your correspondent that our Dominion cannot progress on reminiscences of past sentimental political history. Unfortunately the present Cabinet lacks the necessary leadership and driving force to ease the burdens of the majority that are entitled to take precedence over all sentiment. It is distressing to witness the spectacle of the present Government retreating step by step at the word of command from the Labour Party, surely ample evidence for the necessity to weld together the moderate elements, to combat a common menace against our future prosperity. In conclusion may I inform “Another of the Old Brigade” that as an elector I will continue to criticise on the lines of what I consider are in the interests of our Dominion quite irrespective of Sir Joseph Ward’s unfortunate illness or any other factor. As “Another of the Old Brigade” falls pathetically short of being constructive in his criticisms he should out of respect for your readers at least remember. “Be brief, for it is with words as with sunbeams—the more they are condensed the deeper they burn.”—l am, etc., GIVIS. Wellington. April 10.