SIR JOSEPH AND LADY WARD

Otago Witness, Issue 2779, 19 June 1907, Page 66

SIR JOSEPH AND LADY WARD

(Fbou Ottb Owh CoaasspoNDKirr.)

LONDON, April 26. Banquetting and business have given the colonial Premiers another buay week. Sir Joseph Ward, in addition to the publio functions in which he has taken nart, dined on Saturday with Sir Henry Camp-bell-Bannerman. On Sunday Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, Misa Ward, and Mr Cyril Ward were among the guests entertained' at dinner by Lord and Lady Ranfurly. On Monday the New Zealand Prime Minister dined with the Duke of Sutherland, and was present at the subsequent reception, at which Lady Ward and Miss Ward were also present. On Tuesday Lord Lansdowne was the host, and after the banquet the New Zealand Prime Minister looked in at the reception held by Lady Carrington. Wednesday was a "public" day, the engagements including luncheon at Westminster Hall and the Colonial Institute banquet* Yesterday Sir Joseph^ was at the Goldsmith's dinner, and to-day he attended the Mercer Company's luncheon, and to-night he will be at the dinner given by the National Liberal Club, winding up the evening at Mis Stuart's reception. Sir Joseph and his party have also been, entertained this week at supper* by Sir ChaTles Wyndh&m and Mr George Alexander. Under the headings "Daughters of the Empire "—"" — " The Colonial Ladies "— ~a. writer in one of the London dailies discourses pleasantly of the wives and daughters of the visiting colonial Premiers. Regarding those of Now Zealand, he oays: — "Lady Ward, who with her daughter is over with' Sir Joseph Ward from New Zealand, does not wish to ace the woman member of Parliament Having- got the vote «ho would always* use it, but she believes that woman's real work lies in her home, and does not think that there can be many women who can perform home and pubho duties thoroughly et one and the same time. She is a tall, elegant woman, a delightful hosteae, and a proud mother. Besides her pretty daughter, ahe has four sons j the eldest, who is 22, ahows signs of following hie father in politic*, and the youngest 'my dear baby.' aged cix, is counting the days until his mother cornea back. A woman should be «ble to do everything in the house, Lady Ward thinks, and then she would not be at tho mercy of servants. And they are no less scarce in New Zealand than in England. "The New Zealand woman takes a fax more intelligent interest in politics than we do Lady Ward thinks. Everything on current polities is eagerly read, even oa the far distant farms, and the lad ws gallery et the House is always well filled. But the members do not shut their women folk behind a grating. They come *a numbers, and spend the day at the House, bringing their needlework with them. Every speaker, if not known personally to the women present, i« known by, name and reputation; and all he may Bay is listened to with interest until he_ becomes dull, when the women become absorbed in their work or go out to tea. " Lady Ward is no stranger to England, sayc a writer in one of tho London papers. "She paid a private visit to this country lart year ; but the present one is of great occasion, and Lady Ward is enjoying it ■»cry much. ' I admit that I was very timid at first of driving about in. an automobile, said Lady Ward, 'but now I like it, and never cease admiring the clever w»vm which the drivers of ail vehicles «teer their way through the crowded street*, which to me 7 are always a wonderful sight to behold. And the policemen, too, how kind they ere and how skilfully they regulate the traffic! It is a marvel.' With the exception of the fog iLt week, Lady Ward ha* enjoyed wives are being feted almost a* much as the Premiers The ladies' luncheon which is to take place nex\ week at the Hyde Park Hotel, tinder The apices of the Victoria League, promise, to be the biggest affair of «*J""? ever eeen in London Prmcess Leu c TWheas of Arjryll, will be present. On the SnSSy M7s Humphrey Warf is givinfr so afternoon party to oolonial lad:cs^.t h,r house in Grosvenor place. »nd on May » they will be entertained by Lady Leith, of Fyvie, when Princess Christian of Schl«wig-Holstein will be present, accompanied by her daughter, Princess Victoria.