ANOTHER COMPLIMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7301, 3 December 1910, Page 5

ANOTHER COMPLIMENT

BASE ATTACKS RESENTED LEGISLATORS’ SYMPATHY WITH SIR JOSEPH V/ARO A unique compliment was paid to the Prime Minister by the members of tho Legislative Council- last night, when'-a special adjournment was made and Sir Joseph Ward was invited into the' Chamber to receive an assurance of the Council's sympathy with him in the attacks ho had recently experienced. On entering the Chamber Sir Joseph was received with a hearty round of applause. Tho Chairman of Committees, the Hon. W. XV. F. Carhcross. in the temporary absence of the Speaker, informed the Prime Minister that the Council had invited his attendance in order to convey to him an expression of sincere sympathy in connection with certain anonymous attacks made upon him. : They sympathised with him, not only because of the exalted position he occupied, but because they felt that no man ought to bo subj ected to such underhand inilueuccs as he had been made the victim of. (Hear, hear). The members of theV Council felt they were justified iu meeting him, not as a party, not as politicians, but as men—(hear, bear) —to sympathise with liim and also to congratulate him upon the warmth and extent of the feeling for him right throughout tho country. (Hear, hear).. HIGH IN MEN'S ESTEEM.

The Hon. W. C. Smith, as one of the old members of the party in the other Chamber when Sir Joseph Word took Ms seat, said he wished to endorse all the remarks made. He was sure that every member of the Council and every fairminded man and woman throughout the Dominion, fully sympathised with Sir Joseph Ward in the attack made upon him and acknowledged that he now stood higher in their esteem than ever before. (Hoar, hear). The Hon. C. M. Luke (Wellington) said he would like to add his testimony. Personally, he had a very tender feeling towards Sir Joseph Ward in the trying ordeal he had gone through. Nothing in the history of the country had been so scurrilous as a certain document which recently was circulated—(hear, hear)—hut it was a two-edged sword and would confound the Prime Minister’s enemiels rather than detract , from him.’ : . Sir had displayed a magnificent spirit in the splendid defence he made’ "in the House, and it could not hut elevate him in the. opinion’ of all rightthinking people. (Hear, hear). ■ SIR JOSEPH’S THANKS. Hearty applause greeted • the Prime Minister on rising to reply: He said he wished, to tender to. the Council his very sincere thanks for what he could only regard a® a very unique and graceful compliment. He appreciated the kind words of the speakers very highly indeed. In public life knocks were frequently given and received, .were looked upon, in fact,, as part of the position, and any public man to bo fit for his work, must he ready to take them in a; * proper spirit. ; ,- But' , there were some people , who adopted what would be recognised, even among savages, as " the tactics of cowardly assassins, and under such circumstances one naturally appreciated to the fullest possible extent .kindly words such as had just been spoken. He would be pardoned for remarking tha(; he had been elected on every occasion that he had stood for any public position—(applause) —and if he had been anything like so bad as he had recently been painted In a very scurrilous document, he felt sure that men and women of independent character would not have stood by him In the way,they had done. (Applause.) Nothing would afford him greater pleasure -than to realise that it was possible to dissociate public life from private affaire. , He (recognised that; men. in public life 1 must make strong opponents and, possibly, enemies, but throughout a long public career he had always tried to avoid injuring a fellow and to show, leniency wherever possible. (Hear, hear.) Though ha had passed through a very trying, time, when ho felt he could make a mistake very easily, he recognised that the proper course waste maintain a silent and dignified attitude until at last the time unexpectedly came -when he could make a full statement; and believed ; that every right-thinking man and woman in tho country realised that it was a very low down, underhand method of attack which was adopted towards: him.. (Hear hear.) Among the: many pleasant ceremonies he had attended during his public life this one would stand out as the 'most pleasant,’ for the reason that • it : -was promoted out of pure-gbodkheajrtednesson the part of tho members of the Council. It was not only reassuring and encouraging. but it made him realise that there •wore many 'who felt keenly for him in the, circumstances, under which he had been placed. (Applause.) ' The Hon. Sir Charles Bowen, the Speaker, said that the Council was exceedingly glad to see Sir Joseph Ward in its Chamber and assure him of its sympathy in this very disgraceful business. (Hear, hear.) Sir Joseph Ward said he would convey the Council’s graceful compliment to his wife and family, who would apnreciate it even more than he did. (Applause.) ’■ At the call of the Hon. W. Beohau hearty cheers were given, for Sir Joseph and Lady Ward.