SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 2 August 1913, Page 7

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

■Aiua>___, __r ACCIvLAND

iBX r„___..M.i —t'llLftS ASSOCIATION. A _"•:.'/-".LAND, August 1. Sir Josepa ~ai-d arrived Dy the -Niagara n-o„. -ycLiey. lie was formally welcomea at the Star Hotel by a laige and representative Liberal gathering. Speeenes were made by Messrs Myers and Fowlds, T. W. Leys 1. Lawry, A. E. Giover, W. J. Napier, and P. j. Nerheny, all extending a cordial welcome and expressing a hope that Sir Joseph \\ ard would long be spared to the people in the interests of the Liberal party and progress in New Zealand. Sir Joseph Ward, replying, said that as far as the future was concerned, he had no intention of forcing himself upon any party, or asking or accepting any favor. Replying to more direct suggestions that he might assume the leadership of the Liberal party, he spoke at some length, but gave no definite indications of his at--titude. bit- Joseph referred to the general suggestion made that he should again accept the leadership of the Liberal party. He would be, he said, wanting in a sense of self-respect if he did not acknowledge gratefully the communications received by wire and the expressions given utterance to by old friends in connection with the matter. He took the opportunity of saying that he had never at any time in public life forced himself on any. party or attempted to extract from anybody personal favor or assistance, which, however, he had always appreciated when given, if it was freely made. (Loud applause). It had been stated by one or more of the speakers that tho present gathering was really in anticipation of a larger one to take place in Wellington in the course of a few days, but he did not see that even then he would be able to make his position any clearer than he could that day that the future was absolutely unknown to anyone. "J have not," he declared, "to force myself, and 1 do not want to lead any member in Parliament to supposing that I want to take up the position of leader oV the position of a Minister of the Crown in connection with ' the party unless that pa^'Jy is absolute- i ly true to itself. (Applause). A House divided will never stand. Sections of „ party split up as it is cannot expect to make a solid defence nor anything like effective progress." He could do no more at present than say that he was going back to Wellington* to represent his constituency, which was a very important one. He did not object to fair or hard fighting, but when it came to a matter of the protection of the interests of the people all personal differences should be sunk and a resolute united attempt made to promote the general good of the country.