POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 74, 28 March 1930, Page 10

POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —The Liberals of New Zealand (at any rate those of the old brigade) will, I am sure, bo glad to note that Sir Joseph Ward is quietly ignoring the attempts that are now being made in certain interested quarters, to induce him to resign. It is true that the veteran leader is not iv robust health, but the answer—and in my humble estimation a very complete one — as to whether the country is suffering or benefiting from his administration should be shown clearly next week in the Financial Statement for the year ending on Monday next. lam personally unable to forecast the financial results from Sir Joseph Ward's administration, but if he can succeed iv wiping out the Kcform deficit of over half a milion pounds and commence the year with even a small credit balance, he has surely shown that he is still the highly.capable administrator as of old. if he succeeds in doing this in spite of the unparalled opposition, and disgraceful obstructive tactics adopted by his opponents during the session, he 'should surely effectually silence the critics. May I respectfully point out to • your numerous readers that Sir Joseph Ward is not the first Prime Minister to bo temporarily laid aside during office, but he is certainly the first against whom a move of this sort has been made. In common with many thousands throughout New Zealand, I sincerely trust that these attempts to depose one of our most able statesmen and Finance Ministers will not succeed. His life-long noble service to this country should command the silence, if not the charity, of his most bitter opponents. I am confident in saying, Sir, that when Sir Joseph feels that it is no longer in the interests of New Zealand for him to continue in office, he will be the first to insist on giving up. Until then, I and many thousands of others in New Zealand, can surely say: "Carry on with your good work.":—l am, etc., ONE OF THE OLD BRIGADE. (To the Editor.) Sir,—Your correspondent, "J. Martin," asks in his letter, "Sportsmanship and Politics," "Does 'The Post's' old bitterness against Seddon and Ward still exist?" Does lie not realise that within the next few lines he himself justifies "The Post's" attitude, by referring to the concerted agitation of the Press of the Dominion. If the Press of the Dominion take concerted action, we may take that as a definite expression of opinion from the-public of the Dominion. Mr. Martin's jibe at the "livening Post" is therefore quite harmless, and to quote his own phrase, "Does not reflect any lustre on its writer."—l am, etc., AMUSED. * (To the Editor.) "Evidently Mr. Martin has come under the magic spell of Sir Joseph and has yet to reach the stage when he will become disillusioned. Most of the New Zealand electors have reached the state of reflection and have realised that the electioneering promise of seventy millions, etc., was all a myth, and so are asking themselves why were they led away by rash promises (writes another correspondent). The writer criticises the United Government's performances, and pays a compliment to the impartiality and fairness of the "Evening Post."