Grey River Argus. and Blackball News.

Grey River Argus, 4 August 1913, Page 4

Grey River Argus. and Blackball News.

Delirored every morning m Grevmonfh ' Kumara, Hokltrta ' DobHcm, Wjtllsend^Taylor 'Villa, Brunuerton, Stillwator. N^vhero, Blackball Nelson Creek, Ahaura, ,liamatun, Wiimt" Baxter's, Kokin, Patara, Kaimata, Aratika Po°«r ku ' T Mo . a . na ' . Eur «. T° Kinga,.Wm"S Poerua, Inohbonmo, Jaoksonß aud Otira

MONDAY, AUGUST 4th 1913

IT is characteristic of the Auckland people •to -be a little more effusive and demonstrative in their emotions

Van those of *the extreme South. Whether the difference between the two is due 'to • climatio influence or some other cause- does .not-much jnatter. It was, gratifying and the proper thingto do to give Sir Joseph Ward a'gene- , rous and hearty reception; and, consciously or not, the burden of the speeches was that Sir Joseph might be long spared for the sake of the Liberal Party and the interests of the country. The gentlemen who welcomed him on behalf of the public

could- not utter anything more flattering- to him. as a 'man -and a leader. Such a tribute to Sir • Joseph after his absence at Home amounts..-practi-cally- to a. rebuttal of all the scandalous insinuations and innuendoes circulated by the Reform Party last election. The heartiness of the reception to the old leader of .the Liberal Party, is tangible evidence that he is still regarded as not only their natural leader but also probably that" he. is a 'littte moi'e capable for so responsible a position than, anyone in sight. However, flattening as. the reception at Auckland was, it will most probably prove but a becoming preface, to the , demonstration that Sir -Joseph Ward will meet with at Wellington, notwithstanding that by cunning political engineering the citizen's of,' that/ city have been made responsible for . demonstrations of a decidedly^ hostile nature to Sir Joseph and others who were fairly entitled -to better treatment, though that is often the fate. of. public men everywhere at times. The doubt expressed in our leading article on Saturday as to whether. Sir. Joseph would :be quite ready to resume his- former position is borne out by his attitude when sounded oh" the question. His reply ' was. at' once dignified and • independent. He gave his interlocutors to understand that he sought no - favour and would not. try to force himself upon any party. He left, no room for doubt as to, the attitude .that -he. intended- to take up.. He was too magnanimous to indulge in a reproachful tone to his Party that a more ignoble mind might, have done f or the way he had been treated. .He simply • stands before the ■■ Liberal Party as the . free and independent number for Awarua, with a record behind him as a capable leader and a statesman who has indelibly identified himself with some of the most useful and. progressive legislation < that this -Dominion can boast of; and during its .short existence it has. made advances socially and- politcally that have arrested the attention of many nations. As > matters are, the relationship between the so-called Liberal Party, disorganised as it is by an absence of unity an an all-important issue, amounts to this and the position could not be put much more plainly: "I do not want to lead any member of Parliament to suppose that I want to take up the position of leader or a position as Minister of the Crown in connection with 'the Party, unless that party is absolutely true to itelf .' I A House divided -will, never stand v The sections of the Party split up as it is" cannot expect to make solid defence nor anything ' like effective work." Sir Joseph Ward has made his position clear. The Party now know under what conditions the old connection between the leader and the Party: were severed. They also know the only conditions under which he ,is prepared once more to step but of the role, of; a private member and as-sume the leadership of a party that, though seemingly under a cloud at present, . must again be ■ and ever reonahf the dominant ;.p,arty of this Do■minion... The very essence- of . Liberaiism is that it .seeks to" place humam rights over wealth of any kind, whether actual or potential. Capable leaders are never too plentiful ; and if the Liberal Party really desire to make use x)f such political ability as Sir. Joseph is generally credited with possessing, their first step will be to agree amongst themselves and devise some working arrangement regardingthe land question before requestimg. Sir Joseph Ward to resume his former, position a'S- leader. Otherwise the Party must just blunder along in a purblind and aimless way without any definite, objective, while the representatives of. monopoly will leave no stone ■ unturned to c 'make their, marble good,", as the slang of billiard argot puts it .