SIR JOSEPH WARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13225, 10 July 1906, Page 4

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Sir Joseph Ward occupies at the present time |t unique position,- for while nominally only an ordinary Cabinet Minister he has every reason to regard himself as, in fact, Premier of the colony. This gives to the reports of his doings and sayings in America more than the usual amount of interest to his fellow colonists ; ' and we may be sure that his position is well understood by those with whom he comes into contact abroad. If he is able to further reciprocity with the United States he is not wasting his time in that ! country. We produce various things which America must purchase from abroad; America produces various things which we must purchase from abroad: if, without deviating from the national policy "of preferential trade with the United Kingdom we can make a mutually-profitable reciprocal trading arrangement with America, by all means let us do so'. In this, as in all matters- in which our national well-being is' immediately concerned, Sir Joseph Ward will find as little political partisanship in this colony as did Mr. Seddon. We shall be more than pleased if he signals his taking up of the Premier-, ship by the bringing to a, head of that commercial understanding with the United States which has so long been in the air. ;- : i ') ■