SIR JOSEPH WARD RESIGNS FROM TRADE COMMISSION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11654, 8 June 1912, Page 4

SIR JOSEPH WARD RESIGNS FROM TRADE COMMISSION.

(By Telegraph.) (Special to the Mail.) Dunedin, June, 8. q;,. J. G. Ward has resigned from the Imperial Trade Commission, as evidence has to be taken first in iMigland and subsequently in Canada, this would involve his absence from Larliament all next session. Finding he cannot do justice to both positions, feuJoseph Ward prefers to remain- a representative of the, people hj) New Zealand. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, June S. Sir Joseph Ward has intimated to the Governor his withdrawal irom the position of New Zealand representative ok the Imperial Trade. -'Commission'. In an interview with a Post reprcsenta- ' tivc to-day he said he had come to this determination owing to the fact that the alteration in the itinerary of t'.ho Commission rendered it difficult for him to curry out his parliamentary duties and attend to the work of the Commission. Before agreeing to accept the position he was informed that the Commission would sit in Australia and New Zealand first. It had since been decided to take evidence in England first and then Canada, though, on the whole ho thought that the best alteration. If be- attended the Commission it would involve his absence from Parliament for the whole of next session. From that point of,view that course was not practicable unless he. resigned his seat in Parliament. As lie believed in. discharging the duties of any position he took up wholeheartedly and could not do justice to both, he preferred to .remain a representative of the people and had decided to remain, here. He had fully considered the matter as to whether he should, resign his seat in. the House of Representatives and attend the Commission, and let the electors of Awama elect another representative, j He had arrived at his decision after caiefuily considering the whole matter quite voluntarily and without the slightest, hesitation or pressure from anyone cither in or out of New Zealand.