SIR JOSEPH WARD

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10521, 24 February 1920, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD

CORDIAL RECEPTION AT INVERCARGILL. HIS FUTURE PLANS. PER PEES 3 ASSOCIATION. INVERCARGILL, February 23. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward arrived by the through express to-night, and were met at the station by a large gathering. Responding to the Mayor's welcomo, Sir Joseph remarked that it was the first time for thirty-threo years that he had come to Invercari gill in a private capacity, but he came just as happily in that capacity, and on the following night ho would speak at Winton, where he intended to deal with some incidents that "led to his defeat at last election. It was due to himself not to let anyone believe that the accusations put on foot were other than the work of those who considered that the end justified the means. -He was never a revengeful tnan. His feeling at that moment was that of a young man breasting the running tape who did his best to finish first, but was prepared to wish the other fellow the best of luck. Ho did Hot mind fighting or reverses, but ho did object to hitting below the bolt. Ho would probably have to leavo the country for a shore time, he continued, and later would have to absent himeelf for a. longer period, but ho was Cot going to leave -New Zealand. Ho was pleased at being a free man. Ho would assure them that he was going to be much more influential out of Parliament than ho was in it, oven as Prime Minister.