SIR J.G. WARD AND HIS DETRACTORS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5726, 23 October 1905, Page 7

SIR J.G. WARD AND HIS DETRACTORS.

OPINION OP “THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES.” We are not surprised (remarks the “Otan-o Daily Times” in its editorial columns) that Sir J. G. Ward spoke with unusual warmth during tho discussion on the Criminal Code Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives on Thursday. Apart altogether from tho principle affirmed in the bill, which admits of reasonable argument on tho part of its opponents as well as its supporters, there aro probably very few people in the colony who have much sympathy with the bitter spirit which still animates certain opponents of Sir Joseph Ward in their discussion of questions which arose out pf the liquidation of the Colonial Bank. He has over this matter been pursued with relentless _ hostility by certain people, and in Ins passionate denunciation of ono of those persons ho will, notwithstanding tho strong epithets he used, receive the sympathy and approval, not only of his friends and supporters, hut of many who are opposed to him in political life. It will no doubt como as a surprise to a good many people to learn that Sir Joseph Ward is “quite willing that Ills every action in connection with tho Colonial Bank should bo proclaimed from the housetops.” Wo have known for some time that tho Colonial Bank shareholders -who have made efforts—and very properly so—to procure further and more exhaustive examinations of tho books of that unfortunate institution had no ground for supposing that there had been opposition to those efforts by Sir Joseph Ward, and it has been matter for some wonder to us that ho has not made this publicly known long ago. It may be quite readily believed that, had circumstances allowed tho Ward Farmers’ Association to carry on its operations, the Colonial Bank need not have lost a penny through tlie heavy advances it made to the association. Tho absorption of tho Colonial Bank by its older rival under tho arrangement made with tho Government when the colony came to tho rescue of tho Bank of New Zealand precluded that, however, and all chance of tho Ward Farmers’ Association retrieving its position was lost. But these aro matters which it is perhaps profitless to discuss after the lapse of so long a period since tho banks and mercantile associations doing business in the colony were passing through an anxious arid trying time in their history. So far as Sir Joseph Ward is concerned, the position is that he has served the colony well in tho important departments of tho public service that lie has controlled as Ministerial head; he has been honoured by his Sovereign for his conspicuous political and administrative ability; and whatever measure of blame may have rested on him for loss incurred to tho Colonial Bank through the collapse of the association which bore his name, tho time has long ago passed for tolerating tho insults he has endured at the'hands of bitter opponents. We should greatly like to see him placed in the position of being able to prose- . cute criminally anyone wbo in the future may disseminate in public places slanders against him; and we have no doubt whatever, were the opportunity to arise, that he would bo as good as his word and promptly institute the proceedings he threatens. In saying this, we do not necessarily endorse the provisions of the Criminal Code Amendment Bill passed by the House. With respect to that measure, we need only repeat the opinion we have again and again expressed with respect to legislation brought in at the fag end' of a session. The practice is an entirely indefensible one. Our legislators should bo given full opportunity to consider with intelligent deliberateness any measure of importance such as the Criminal Code Amendment Bill.