RETIRING PREMIER

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 144, 17 May 1930, Page 2

RETIRING PREMIER

TRIBUTES TO SERVICES. MANY MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) AUCKLAND, May 16. Numerous telegrams were received by Sir Joseph Ward in. ltotorua to-day from all sections of the community expressing sincere regret that his health is such as to make it necessary for him to resign his position as Prime Minister. Tributes are paid to the great services he has rendered to the Dominion and the Empire generally. The Leader of the Labour Party (Mr H. E. Holland) had an interview with Sir Joseph Ward this morning. This afternoon he left for Taupo. At the final session of the Methodist Synod held in Rotorua it was decided to send the following letter to the Prime Minister: —“As the presence of the Synod of the South Auckland district in Rotorua coincides with the meeting of Cabinet here, members of the Synod find it in their hearts to write over the signatures of their chairman and secretary expressing their sincere desire that the Prime Minister may enjoy steady and continued improvement in health and assure him and honourable members of Cabinet that the Synod is invoking the bleeAing of God upon their deliberations.” WHOLE SITUATION CHANGED. MR W. J. POLSON’S VIEW:S. Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, May 16. In a statement to-day in reference to the resignation of Sir Joseph M r ard, Mr W. J. Poison, Independent member for Stratford, and president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, who was at Havelock when the news came to hand yesterday, said that the country would regret the cause of the resignation. Sir Joseph had devoted his life to the country’s service, and even those who disagreed with his politics would share in the regret that his health had forced him to lay down the reins of office. That he had done the right thing there was no doubt. Who to succeed him was a question that the United Party would have to decide for themselves. The resignation would throw the whole political situation into the melting pot, and whoever aspired to lead the party would require to bring down a new and statesmanlike policy. The old alliances would be no longer binding, and unless the new leader was able to satisfy the country his reign might be short. Mr Poison believed that everything would depend upon the policy. The new policy to succeed must show an appreciation of the problems of the country, provide fundamental remedies for unemployment, reduce costs, create economies in keeping with the times, instead of maintaining a post-war expenditure with a pre-war income, and give the country sound taxation readjustments. A bold land settlement scheme was an absolute essential to success. Such a policy would bring support from many who were not entirely blinded by purely party considerations. At all events, the opportunity existed for a leader to weld together the interests now divergent. Who the United Party would select for that task he had no id tv. DECISION TO RESIGN. URGENT MEDICAL ADVICE. AUCKLAND, May 15. It is believed that the actual decision of the Prime Minister to resign, which was reached on urgent medical advice, was made only yesterday. It is now scarcely a secret that Sir Joseph Ward has not made the progress hoped for by his, course of treatment at Rotorua. Dr. J. D. C. Duncan, an old friend of the family, who has been attending him for the past four months, holds confident hope that, relieved of responsibility and the strain inseparable from the office of Prime Minister, Sir Joseph will make a steady improvement in health. It is understood that Dr. Duncan discussed the position at length with members of the Cabinet yesterday. However, the official announcement of Sir Joseph Ward’s decision was not made until a further meeting of Cabinet this morning, lasting about an hour. It should be clearly understood that Sir Joseph is resigning only his office as Prime Minister. He will continue to be a member of Parliament. “Sir Joseph’s decision was made within these walls during the past few days,” it was stated in an official quarter. It was a step taken, as Sir Joseph’s statement points out, at the urgent advice of his medical man. It was necessary so that his own recuperative powers should not be checked and so that the work for the session should not be delayed. “Not one of the Ministers knew that this step would be imperative until the medical advice tendered to us yesterday,” said a member of Cabinet. There was nothing in the atmosphere about Sir Joseph’s headquarters this morning to indicate that political history was in the making. A Cabinet meeting was called for 10.30 a.m., but at that time all visiting Ministers were still absent on an inspection of a native group settlement scheme at Horohoro, about nine miles from Rotorua. On their return shortly after 11 o’clock Hon. G. W. Forbes conferred with the Prime Minister in the latter’s private suite. Subsequently the other Ministers were called in, to emerge about 12.30 p.in. with the announcement, expressed by one in these words;, “The secret is out; the chief is resigning.” Then followed a scene which was not without its pathos. Sir Joseph Ward was brought from his room to the verandah of the hotel, and several photographs were taken of him for the last time as Prime Minister. He was photographed with Cabinet. Another group comprised Sir Joseph Ward with his son, Mr Vincent Ward, and another, Sir Jospeh with Mr A. D. Park (Secretary to the Treasury) and Mr G. McNamara (Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department)—the heads of two important departments included in Sir Joseph’s portfolios. Sir Joseph Ward smiled pleasantly for the photographer, although undobutedly the occasion was one of sadness for him. SUGGESTED FUSION. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 16. The Auckland members of Parliament have little to say concerning the political situation created by Sir Joseph’s Ward’s impending resignaOne or two Labour members express belief in tho ultimate fusion of the Reform and United Parties. Mr Coates, on his arrival from Wellington, refused to comment. It is understood that Mr Fletcher, M.P. for Grey Lynn, has not received an invitation to the United Party caucus. CHOOSING A SUCCESSOR. PARTY CAUCUS NEXT WEEK. (Bv Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, May 10. Ministers, with the exception of Hons. J. G. Cobbe, A. J. Stallworthy and J. B. Donald, who are in Auckland, returned to Wellington to-day when a Cabinet meeting was immedi-

ately held, Hon. G. W. Forbes presiding. Sir Joseph Ward’s colleagues informed the “Standard’s” correspondent that they had decided to make a joint expression of their sentiments regarding their leader’s resignation which will be available after tho .. Cabinet meeting. Sir Joseph Ward’s resignation will not take effect for several days. During that interval the Parliamentary members of the Government party, who are being called to a caucus on Wednesday morning in Wellington, will have the opportunity of selecting a leader. This decision, when conveyed to Sir Joseph .Ward, will enable the retiring Prime Minister to recommend to the Governor-General the person who is ahlo to form a Ministry and meet Parliament. COLLEAGUES’ REGRET. SOUND JUDGMENT AND WISE COUNSEL. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 16. In connection with the Prime Minister’s resignation, tho following tribute from his Ministerial colleagues has been issued bv Hon. G. W. Forbes: “I am speaking on behalf of myself and my colleagues in the Ministry when I say how deeply we regret that, owing to the state of his health, our leader has felt it imperative, to follow the earnest suggestions of his medical advisers by relieving himself of the cares of office. “Our close association with the Prime Minister has enabled us to see with what courage and mental resolution he has fought against tho physical handicap which overtook him toward the end of last session. This attitude is typical of the man and it has been demonstrated time and again throughout his long career of public service. “Now that Sir Joseph has decided to relinquish the responsibilities of administration, I am certain I am voicing the feelings of all New Zealanders when I say that wo earnestly hope that he will recover his health and strength and that he, will enjoy many happy years. We as his colleagues naturally feel keenly the official parting from our leader, and take this opportunity to express our appreciation of the confidence which he showed in asking us to join his Ministry. “Sir Joseph has been a considerate leader, and we have appreciated his sound judgment and wise counsel. In addition to our admiration of Sir Joseph’s capacity as a political leader, we recognise that he had a still wider conception of his public responsibilities. As an Imperialist he established for himself a reputation which extended far beyond New Zealand. Inspired with an intense loyalty to the Grown, lie brought to bear at many Imperial conferences a constructive capacity which undoubtedly has helped in the evolution of our British Commonwealth of Nations. , The Prime Minister’s decision to retire from the forefront of public life creates a gap which will be hard to fill, but his career :s an inspiring example to all New Zealanders whose sense of public duty prompts them to serve their country.” LONG POLITICAL CAREER. Sir Joseph Ward first entered Parliament in 1887 as member for Awarua, and after the general election in 1890 was appointed Postmaster-Gen-eral. Following the death, in 1893, of Mr Ballance, Mr Ward (ho was knighted in 1901) was chosen by Mr Seddon as Colonial Treasurer. On June 16, 1896, for business reasons, Mr Ward resigned all his Ministerial portfolios and tendered his resignation from the House of Representatives, but stood again for his old scat a few' months later and was re-elected. After the general election of 1899 lie again took his place m the Ministry as Colonial Treasurer and Postmaster-Gen-eral, becoming Minister of Railways in the following year. To these offices were later added those of Minister of Trade and Commerce, Minister in Charge of Health Resorts, and Minister of Public Health. In 1901, during the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, the present King and Queen, to New Zealand, he was made a K.C.M.G., and in 1911 was created a baronet. After the death of Mr Seddon on June 21, 1906, Sir Joseph Ward was called to the Premiership, and his six years of office were marked by some notable events in the realm of Imperial affairs. While at the Imperial Conference of 1907 he received a confidential assurance that the title of New Zealand would bo changed from colony to Dominion. . ...

In March, 1912, he resigned in favour of his colleague, the late Sir Thomas Mackenzie, who followed suit soon afterward and the Reform Party entered into office. In August, 1915, for tho better prosecution of the war, the National Cabinet was formed and Sir Joseph Ward accepted tho portfolio of Finance,” becoming also Post-master-General. In 1919 he was defeated in the general election by Mr J. R. Hamilton (Reform), losing the seat he had held for 42 years. In 1913 he stood unsuccessfully for the Tauranga seat in a by-election, but won the Invercargill seat at the general election of 1925, re-entering Parliament as a Liberal. Following the creation of' the United Party, he accepted its leadership and contested the general election of 1928, being returned for Invercargill. On his motion of no-confidence the Coates Administration was defeated. Mr Coates resigned, and on December 8 Sir Joseph Ward was called upon to form a Ministry, thus, at the age cf 72, assuming the office of Prime Minister of New Zealand for the second time in 22 years.