"VERY MUCH ALIVE"

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 82, 16 October 1928, Page 11

"VERY MUCH ALIVE"

UNITED PARTY LEADER READY FOR POLITICAL FIGHT (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post") AUCKLAND, This Day. "On the day when I feel I am too old for my task I shall knock oft1 at once, but in the meantime I am alive and well, and very fit for the political fight," declared the United leader, Sir Joseph Ward, in a speech at tho railway station .this morning. "My political opponents have been sa/ing things about me. They havo said something to which I don't subscribe, that lam too old. (Laughter.) "Only the other clay the Minister of Agriculture made a speech, when he was good enough to tell the audience that I was too old to lead a party. ' I don't want to be rude to the Minister, but I am afraid that he is too young. He wants maturing. (Laughter and applause.) Perhaps he wants pickling. It may be that he wants something to preserve his experience. I want no such adventitious aids myself. "What would tho late Mr. Alassey have said had his political opponents gone about saying that he was too old for office? And can it be said that when Gladstone took office for the fourth time at the great age of 82, that he was too old? Lord Melford was.over 84. They were not too old, nor am I. During the campaign my opponents will learn that I am very much alive, and very well."