The Hastings Standard Published Daily. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 1896. THE WARD EPISODE.

Hastings Standard, Issue 44, 17 June 1896, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 1896. THE WARD EPISODE.

For the cause that lacks assistance, 1-or the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

The most casual observer of the signs of the times could not have failed to have discerned the trend of colonial politics during the past two months. The speeches of the leaders of both parties have been of a personal character, and it was early predicted that the session would be remarkable more for mud-flinging than for useful legislation. In dealing with the Governor's Speech we expressed the view that the present session would be characterised by great personal bitterness, and that we were right was amply demonstrated yesterday. Members of Parliament and the outside public confidently expected something sensational as soon as Mr Justice Williams's decision

was given in regard to the sale of the "Ward assets to Messrs Smith and Keid. The decision has been given, and the responding sensation has been experienced. The Hon. J. G. Ward has resigned his Ministerial position, and is now, as he himself expressed it yesterday afternoon, under a cloud. Mr Ward's retirement from the Ministry was made compulsory as soon as the evidence given in Punedin was made public, and it is to his credit that lie signified his determination to resign no matter how the Judge's decision went. The retirement of the Colonial Treasurer was communicated to the House yesterday afternoon, and, as is customary 011 such occasions, the indulgence of the House was secured to enable the retiring Minister to make a statement and defend himself. Mr Ward began his address at half pasl three, and from that hour until the adjournment at 11 p.m., the House soaked in gross and brutal personalities. The ex-Minister, filled to the brim witli revengeful feeling, outraged the decorum of I'ailiament by lmrling at his opponents inside and outside the House every epithet of opprobrium. He was speaking under strong provocation, and while we cannot defend him in the course he took, we can excuse him on the plea, that He was suffering from the bitterness of a great downfall -a catastrophe which he attributed to the machinations of his opponents. The charges levelled by Mr Ward against some of those lie singled out for attention were 01 the gravest character, and it is impossible to believe that the matter can be kept within the four walls of the House. We are certain to have the dirty linen washed up in another place, and wo have Mr Ward's own statement that the, banking legislation will be heard of again outside, lor the present our concern is not with the future probabilities, but with the effects of ill" hour. The House wallowed in personalities, and was at its lowest depth of moral degradation. The first business of the session was spent in polities of the gutter type ; the lowest of revengeful passions were let loose, and the assembly of the first gentlemen of the countrv, which should be a model and pattern of decorum, ol high intelligence, of broad views, of toleration, and, above all, gentlemanly conduct, was sunk deep in tie- dregs of political vices.