WELCOMED TO FOLD

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 50, 27 August 1930, Page 7

WELCOMED TO FOLD

MR. VINCENT WARD

GATHERING OF UNfTED PARTY)

Scenes of enthusiasm marked * special meeting of the United Partjj held last night to welcome the newlyeleeted member for Invercargill, Mr. Vincent -Ward. Every member of ,th« party was present with the exceptioa of Mr. J. A.. Maepherson (Oamaru), who .sent an apology in which he expressed his personal delight at th» election of Mr. Ward,

In proposing the toast for the member for Invercargill, tho Acting-Prim* Minister (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) said it gave him gieat pleasure to welcome Mr. Ward to Parliament. He was sure Mr. "WaTd would make a most useful member, not only because of his personal qualities but by reason of his close association, with his late illustrious father.' The name of Sir ''Joseph Ward would always be held in affectionate remembrance by every member who" subscribed to the principle's of true Liberalism. Mr. Bansom said that had it been necessary Ministers of the Crown would have rallied to the support of the United Party candidate in the Invercargill by-election,-but it had been found that Mr. Vincent Ward was quite capable of fighting his own battles. The result' of the byelection fully justified that belief... As an outcome'of Mr. Ward's return, he felt that the United Party could'look with confidence to the future.

The Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata said the United Party had reason to be pleased not only on account of the return of the son of an' illustrious father", but also on aecoun't of ■ a gentleman who wonld'be a credit to the ' party and Parliament by reason of his personal qualities. They, all felt that it was' Mr. Ward's personal' \ that had enabled him to .win through in the face of heavy odds. Mr. Ward would be of inestimable value in helping to grapple with the very difficult problems that were facing Parliament at present. • His business experience and the political experience which he had gained as a result of his association, with Sir Joseph Ward would make Mr. Vincent Ward a most valuable member.. "., . •', ■'■ ■' ■. .".: ~;,:/'■v

It was pointed out by. the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle) that Mr.. Ward had not won the election solely because of the reputation of his father. He recalled that .Colonel Hargest at the 1925 election had run Sir Joseph Ward within a few hundred votes, but at the 1930 by-election,l in'spite of the handicap of increased taxation, Mr. Ward had; defeated that opponent, admittedly a strong man, by over 500 votes. Mr. D. M'Dougall, M.P. for Mataura, recalled his early associations-; with Sir Joseph Ward, and expressed ■ iis pleasure with the return of Mr. Vincent Ward.. * TRADITIONS OF LIBERALISM. On behalf of the rank and file of th& United Party, Mr. P. Lye (Waikato) congratulated Mr. Ward on his return. It was to be regretted that the people of New Zealand were not educated up to a higher point on the traditions of the Liberal Party which had laid the foundations of New Zealand's progress and prosperity over a great length of time. Mr. Lye paid a warm tribute to Mr. Forbes, particularly for his courage in dealing with the country's difficult financial, position. He felt sure fthat the majority of the people appreciated whai Mr. Forbes had done, an opinion which had beea backed up by the electors of Invercargill. . : ■;.' ' .Mr. T. Makitanara, M.P. for Southern Maori, expressed the delight of th« Native ■ race that Mr. Ward had; been. elected, and went on to pay a glowing tribute to the services Sir Joseph had rendered to the people of New Zealand, Maori and pakeha alike. He hoped that' Mr. Vincent Ward would continue ■to represent Invercargill for many, many years to come. The Senior Government Whip (Mr. G. 0. Munns), in a happy speech, stressed the need for loyalty in the party. . Besponding in happ*y vein, Mr. Ward, who was loudly cheered, expressed hi« keen appreciation of the sentiments which had been expressed.' It was, an; honour to him to be a member of Parliament, and especially to be a * member of the United Party. Mr. Ward: recalled a number of incidents connected with the by-election, and concluded by expressing the belief that popularity meant nothing; it was' the respect of the people that must be gained, and that could only be seeuted by doing the right thing for New Zealand* '•Loyalty to your chief, to tout Musk istry, to your party, and to y»»g[ country should 'be the watehvrawtjp' declared Mr. Ward.