LAUDABLE AMBITION

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 10, 11 July 1930, Page 10

LAUDABLE AMBITION

INSPIRATION TO YOUTH BISHOP BRODIE'S TRIBUTE (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The respect in which the late Sir Joseph Ward was held by tho community was again made evident yesterday morning when Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at the Catholic Cathedral. . The cathedral was packed to the doors by an attendance representing all sections of the public. Bishop Brodie paid a tribute to those qualities and character of New Zealand's late Prime Minister which had carried him successfully through many trials. 1' In public life,'' said Bishop Brodie, "it often happens that varying interests and conflicting views obscure tho vision and detract from tho true perspective or! the aims and motives of our public men. A candidate who aspires to political honours is often accused of ambition. To this accusation I would say it is a noble: and laudable ambition to devote time and talents to the public good. A review of the career and the work of Sir Joseph Ward impresses one with the rich treasury of inspiration the lives of public men must offer to the youth of our day. When we recall the lives of past Premiers, such as the Right Hori. Richard John Seddon, the Right Hon. W. F. Massey, and now the latest name to be added, that of the Right Hon; Sir Joseph Ward, the record of self-government in New Zealand becomes illustrious in the careers and accomplishments of men whose political record reached a high standard of statesmanship.

INCENTIVE TO THE YOUNG. -

"When it is remembered that Sir Joseph Ward commenced his public life with no other advantage than of a boy leaving our primary schools," continued Bishop Brodie, "and from this humble beginning, by his own God-given talents and by personal diligence, he so improved himself that his fellow-citi-zens deemed Mm worthy of the highest honour within their bestowal—the Premiership of tho Government —such an achievement must be an incentive to the youth of our land. Our young country may have its cycles of depression and prosperity, and many have to start life without any help of family prestige or personal wealth, but an example such as that offered by the record of. Sir Joseph Ward proves that hard work arid honest effort combined with the many opportunities that come to all will ensure ultimate success."

Sir Joseph had borne office through very troublous times in the history of New Zealand, and had never been found ■wanting. His life had ever been de* voted to the service of the community.

Bishop Brodie's address concluded with the prayer that Now Zealand's statesmen might ever have sympathetic encouragement to aid them in the arduous task of surmounting the difficulties occasioned by the widespread gloom of unemployment that all might rejoice in Seeing the nation go forward in the path of industrial peace and progress to the realisation of the highest ideals of national prosperity and national greatness.