THE PRIME MINISTER.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 133, 2 December 1910, Page 3

THE PRIME MINISTER.

«. CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS FROM HIS PARTY. COMMENT ON RECENT EVENTS. The members of the Liberal Party last evening presented Sir Joseph Ward with an address signed by the whole of the members of the Liberal Party. The Hon. A. R. Guinness explained that the address had been conceived only about an hour before, so it would be seen that it was spontaneously begotten and signed. The address was as follows :—: — To the Riaht Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, K.C.M.G., Prime Minister. Dear Sir Joseph Ward, — We, the undersigned members of the Liberal Party, desire to tender to you our respectful sympathy with you, Lady WaraT and your family, in the attack made upon you in connection with your personal alfairs. We also congratulate you on the able and convincing statement, made by you in the House yesterday, which clearly proved that you had, by sheer pluck, ability, and perseverance, satisfied all claims of your English, Australian, and New. Zealand creditors, and built up a position in the commercial life of the Dominion of which both yourself and your party may be justly proud. We recognise fully the statesmanlike manner in which you have led the country since the Prime Ministership devolved upon you, and, while assuring you of our complete and unabated confidence, beg, in conclusion, to wish you many further years of successful work for the Empire and the Dominion. Signed by the Members of the Party. Sir Joseph Ward said he desired to express his acknowledgments for this very fine mark of goodwill — from his point of view— towards him. He had to congratulate the party on the way they could keep a secret. Until he had reached the room he had no knowledge whatever that this address was to be presented to him. He very much appreciated the references in the address to his personal affairs, and was deeply grateful. It was a matter of regret to him always to have to make any reference tp his personal affairs. In future he hoped those who were responsible for the carrying on of public affairs would be free from personal criticism. The position he occupied was a difficult one, and anyone ivho gave anything like satisfaction was entitled to congratulate, himself. They had to remember that in this country there was an active-minded people, and he hoped that people would realise that at times the head of the Government might not be able to move as fast as people might desire him to. His earnest wish was to keep abreast of the times, and to make as few mistakes as possible. They were on the end of the session, he continued, and before members assembled again there was no doubt that important work would have to be done on their behalf in the Old Country. He could only say that he would feel inspired by the enthusiasm displayed, and realise that thej' would make allowance and grant that mistakes might be made. He would go forward to the conference anxious to do his best for New Zealand, and try to do nothing to discredit the party that he was at the head of Sir Joseph expressed his acknowledgment of the goodwill shown towards Lady Ward, and concluded by expressing the hope that any shortcomings of his would be overlooked, and that he would still be able to do good work on behalf of New Zealand. He would treasure the address for the words it conveyed, and for the signatures that were attached to it. Cheers were given for Sir Joseph Ward' and Lady Ward. »"