SCURRILOUS PAMPHLET.

North Otago Times, 5 December 1910, Page 1

SCURRILOUS PAMPHLET.

THE COUNCIL'S SYMPATHY. Per • Press Association. Wellington, Dec, 2. Members of the Legislative Council assembled this evening for. the purpose of tendering to Sir Joseph Ward an assurance of their sympathy with him on account of the attacks he bad; recently been subjected to. ..- •

' Mr Oarncross, in. the absence ofthe •. Speaker,! informed the' Premier 'that he had invited'him to meet the members of the Council in order that they might have an opportunity of assuring him, not as a party nor as'politicians, but as men, -of their, sympathy,-and to. congratulate him on the warm regard felt for lrira right through the country.

Mr Smith-and Mr Luke endorsed the previous speaker's' remarks.

Sir Joseph .Ward,, who 'was greeted with hearty,cheering when he rose to reply,, ■expressed his sincere thanks for what he regarded as an unique and graceful compliment. He appreciated .very highly,the words of the speakers, Men in. public life had v. to; receive hard knocks, which were ..looked upon as adjuncts to their, position; and Public men ought to take them in a proper spirit, but there were some people who adopted tactics that,would ■ ibe recognised even by savages as the tactics - of .cowardly assassins. He therefore appreciated the kindly words of the speakers. Had lie been as bad as he- was, painted, in . the scurrilous pamphlet, he:felt sure, that .men aud women of independent -character, would" not have stood by him in the way they had (Applause.) ; In hi 3 public Jifo he had always tried to avoid injuring, his fellow,men, and to show leniency .wherever possible.; He. had, passed through ; a .very tiiying time,: but ; he 'recognised that the proper course was to/maintain ;a silent and dignified attitude until, -at" last' the '.time came when.-ha could make a full:statement. He ; beIlieved that .every-.right-thinking,;man I -and ; ,woman; realised;,that, it:was 'a ■ lo'w-idown method of attack that -.. had - fen'-; adopted ■• towards him, j That | wquld stand - but M' : his ; memory,- as a I most pleasant on^prompted;: as ;>lt ' was ' -,part;:of the : 'memiijCTß' I .o^f' ; tto";■■.^S l^, '■ : It ; was;' reassu'ring-iand : encpuragiiig,

; and made';him ' .feel that he- had I their sympathy in the. circumstances under whicrl he had 'been.placedi , V s Sir 0, Bowenj- Speaker'- : of ■.•the Council, assured '■■.'. Sir;: .Joseph Ward that he 'was ; glad to see him ia the. Council Chamber, and to assure him of. their sympathy. in a very •disgraceful business...' .'v■■■'•.; . i

Sir Joseph said he. would convey the Council's graceful compliment to his.'wife arid family, who would appreciate it more than he did. .Cheers for Sir Joseph and Lady Ward concluded the meeting. ••,-