THE PRIME MINISTER

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 134, 3 December 1910, Page 9

THE PRIME MINISTER

FURTHER TRIBUTES. ACTION BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS. The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) was honoured by the members of the Legislative Council last evening. Hon. W. Carncross (in the temporary absence of the Speaker), 6aid he wished on behalf of the Council to express their sincere sympathy with Sir Joseph in connection with certain anonymous attacks which had been made upon him. They did this not because of the position he held, but because they believed no man should be subjected to such underhand influences as he (Sir Joseph) had been made the victim of. (Hear, hear.) The Council felt that it was justified in expressing deep sympathy m the Premier in striving to bear the attacks made upon him. (Applause.) The Hon. W. C. Smith also expressed sympathy with the Prim© Minister in the attack made on him. To his idea Sir Joseph stood higher to-day in the opinion of every fair-minded person in the Dominion than he ever did. The Hon. C. M. Luke (Wellington) eaid that probably nothing in the history of New Zealand had been so scurrilous as the document they all had in mind. The Prime Minister, in reply, tendered his sincere thanks to the Council for what he regarded as a unique compliment. He valued very highly what had been said. In one's experience t>f life one had • his troubles and his pleasure. Whatever one might do in the public 'life of the country there was always someone to disagree with you. The knocks that one gave and the knocks that one ■received were looked upon as necessitous of the part that was filled. He did not think any man would be fit for his position if he could not take strong criticism, and figuratively speaking, hard blowa. In the battle of life, however, there were some people who would adopt methods that would be recognised even amongst savages as cowardly and assaa siu-like and. one appreciated kindly words such as had been spoken that night. He had never been defeated since h« entered public life, and Trad carried difficult public positions for a number of years. If h chad been anything like he had been painted in a scurrilous document people would not have stood by him ie Ihft way they had done. (Hear, bear.) He recognised that a man in public life must make strong opponents, but he could say that throughout his long public career he- had tried not to injure a fellow man, but on the other hand had always and frequently done his best t& help him. In regard to tliia matter which had just been ventilated, he had known of what was going on, but on account of fclie official position he held he recognised that the proper course was to maintain a quiet and dignified silence. An opportunity to reply in the House had come unexpectedly and lie took it. He believed that every right-thinking person in the country, of whatever shade of political opinion, would recognise that the attack that had been made on him was a" low-down, underhand thing. He believed that the boomerang would come back on those who threw it._ He felt deeply the high compliment paid to him, and he was sure his wife and family would appreciate the graceful compb meiit as much as he did. The Hon C. C. Bowen also expressed his opinion of the "disgraceful attack" made on the Prime Minister, and then cheers were given for Sir Joseph and one for Lady Ward.