SIR J. G. WARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13631, 28 June 1906, Page 8

SIR J. G. WARD.

TO THE KDITQK. Sir,—l deeply regret notit-iiij? in recent, issue? of your paper sovoial references to Fir J. U. Wiii'tl'.i religion. My reasons for regivfc arise from a conviction t.hat such references are unworthy of the people of vlsis colony, ami i-finsequenily a serimi.s reflection on then'. I venture to say that there is not a. man or woman in this'colony to-day who, it in a foreign land, but would vigorously avert that in New Zealand tliero is perfect religious freedom. That. I think, I may fav without, fear of succcisful rotilradielion. I venture to mv also ihnt the vast, majority of the prcmic are earnestly deeirotis that absolute religious freedom shall exist, and that one's leligiou.- belief shall in no way handicap Mm. I believe that . colooisis are proud or the spirit of religious voieranca which prevails amongst them, and that they feel humiliated at anything calculated to provo that this tolerant spirit doe-! not exist. If, therefore, I am gauging the people's feelings on this subject accurately, tlvjy must feel. as I Jo, painfully humiliated In- the publication of the references to Sir J. G W'ai<l, l>v which it. is held that lie is unfit for the Premiership became of his religion. Sunposing, for in.-lance, that a foreigner saw it stilted that Sir •!. 0. Ward was unfit for the Piumiership bc-eaus.? lie, was a Catholic, what would ho say. He would sty, "Tiicsj people brntf and boast of their relmous freedom and tolerance, and yet deprive rlio fjtai-e of tho services of its l>ret. man hecatisci of his religious belief, This toicraneo with

r. vengeance." That is what a foreigner would fay. and thai connitules my chiof objeei-ion io tlw discus-ion on Sir J. (i. Wand's religintrs belief. Wo all know Sir J. G. Ward Io bo a man of iMent ability;' wo know that his administrative capabilities arc unexcelled: wo know that his management of iho laihvays and tho post office has never been equalled; we know that he is head and shoulder.; above any other politician at tho present time, and, in my opinion, to say that tho colony should be deprived of his services because of his religious belief is suggestive of insanity. I could understand objections being raised to him on politic:.! grounds, but- to condemn him for his religious bflief casts a slur on the people of this colony, became li make.? their religious freedom appear a sham, a delusion, and a suare.

Sir .1. li. Ward will nor l>e the first Catholic to occupv tho position ot Prime Alinisior of this colony. Sir Frederick Weld held thai position, and lie was a Catholic, and yet was he not t he author ot the policy of self-reliance wh : ch proved so successful in this colony? Sir W. Liuirier, the prosent Prime Minister of Cana'ria. is a C'athoiic. and there i; 110 livingeolonist-who holds a- higher place in public fstimaticn inKughind than be docs. Tho Alarqiis of Ripnn. when Viceroy of India, was a Osl-hoiie. and so arc several Governors and Ambassadors at. present in the employment of Great Britain. Lord Russell of Killowan, the late Lord Chief Justice of England, was a Catholic, and so '.lave been many of England's most trusted, most, faithful, and most loyal public servant.*. In. no instance liavo linjland's (Aiiholie public servants proved otherwise than faithful, loyal, and true, and tint bcinjr an indisnuiable ff-ct, iiow can anyone say that there is the slightest danger in Sir .7, G, "Ward being Premier cf this colony? "What could ho do if ho were to do his best or his worstV Them arc about 120 members in the two Hanses of Parliament, and amongst them are about five Catholics—three in the Lower House and two in the Upper House. Now, in the face of this fact, what can Sir .T. G. Ward do? I aui certain that nor one of these Catholics will be included in any Ministry lie, may form, and consequently.ho will Ijo surrounded by six other Ministers all of whom are Protestants. Tho position, therefore,- will be that Sir .T. 11. Ward will be one in seven in the Cabinet, and that Catholics in Parliament, will be about, one in 25. Under these circumstances. Protestant interests ought to bo well conserved, and no nervousness ought to exist on that point. For tho honour and clwdit of the colony, I trust ui-:cu»<ioi, *.u this subject will cease. If there arc any who object to Sir .loseph on Mm grounds staled, let them vote as they like, but for goodness sake let them iefrain from placing a. si ignis ori tho fair name, of tho people of ilio colony. Sir .T. U. AYard is the only possible Liberal loader in Ilw colony at the present time, anil whoever does anything In weaken liim strikes a li'ow at the Liberal party and the Liberal policy, which has made tlii.s colony so prosperous, Let, no r;nc make a mistake. To strike Sir J. G. AVard is to strike the whole Liberal pariy and reduce politics to chaos.—l am, etc.,' Liiif.H.U. _ TO TIIE EDITOR. Sir,—Judging from correspondence and other comments in your paper, it appears thai- some religionists am opposed to Sir J. (!. Ward being made Premier because he is a lioman Catholic. A* it is highly important that the Premiership should be conferred on a. proved man, and as it. is generally admitted Sir ,1. (i. Ward is eminently qualified for such a position, it is regrettable that these religionists will not sink their religious intolerance for tile fake of justice and the prosperity of the. country. When » lioman Catholic has proved himself, as Sir J. (!. Ward has done, to lie absolutely free from leligious intolerance, and. morally anil intellectually, qualified lor a responsible position, 1 fail'to see why his religion should disqualify him.—l am", etc., A Rohan* Catholic. TO THK EDITOR. Sin.—F. Y. is hardly lo be thanked for raising the denominational nuestion in connection with the Premiership, nor the appointments of ccrtain religionists to the public service. It would be better to let these tilings rest. Hut if he will raise, them it is a duty to rcplv thereto. In that connection F. Y. says: "It is well known that most appointments were made on the recommendation of local Al.ll.R's." And that, no doubt, is quite true; but if F. Y. knows the whole position lie should have stated it. Now the organisation of the Roman Catholic Church is perfect. Not one single move is made without the most careful deliberation, and in the case of appointments to the civil service that, is not, overlooked. It may be true that local M.H.R. ! s recommend the Roman Catholic applicants. It is also well known that every Roman Catholic aspirant, directly or indirectly, sets some non-Catholic M.H.R. to recommend him, and should there be

Ihrnt applicants for a vacancy, and should local ll.H.li.'e strain everv nervo to get one appointed of the three who may not be tho ltoman Catholic thoy will, after a. few weeks, rccciw a letter of profuse t.linnks from the Uoninn Catholic candidate thanking liim or them for usinsr their influence in obtaining the appointment. 1 make this statement on the testimony of ono who is aware of what noes on.

Noxt, regarding the question of bitterness. who is to blame for that? During re. cent elections the bitterness of sonio of tho Roman Catholics towards tho candidates they opposed. aiul (.he uncharitable tilings they said about them, caused a great soreness. Let earh person vote as ho thinks fit, but keep abuse out. Now this is all acting against Sir Joseph Ward at the present. moment, and most unfairly, I think, bceauee Sir Joseph has no sympathy with such work. Tho average elector does not disassociate Sir Joseph Ward from co-reli-gionists who .Kiv tins' unjust things ami exlend to him their ill-feeling. I regret Ibis, because I am sure if Sir Joseph Ward becomes Premier he will not treat any class unfairly, . And those who arc behind the scenes 'know tlipt it was not Sir Joseph Wnrtl who played tho prefor?nco to his co. religionists as another. In conclusion, let me sar to our P.omnn Catholic follow-colotiisls: Restrain your bitterness and bo temperate in your expressions, and that will make for good.—l am, ate., Toleuatiox,