THE PELORUS GUARDIAN and Miners' Advocate. TUESDAY, 26th MAY, 1914. SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 25, Issue 40, 26 May 1914, Page 4

THE PELORUS GUARDIAN and Miners' Advocate. TUESDAY, 26th MAY, 1914. SIR JOSEPH WARD.

The presence of Sir Joseph Ward in Marlborough this week arouses a considerable amount of interest, apart from any political significance that many attach to his visit. Although Havelook. district in particular is popularly supposed to be a hot-bed of Masseyism—a circum,stance of which Sir Joseph himself is well aware —yet we trust that the treatment accorded to him will be in keeping with what is due to the Leader of the Opposition and to a distinguished Statesman. We hold no brief for any particular political party, but we feel it is due to Sir Joseph Ward to make reference to the cordial and generally enthusiastic welcomes that have been accorded to him by large audiences in other parts of the Dominion. He has not shirked invading the districts which have been regarded as invulnerable strongholds of the present Government, and here also it must be admitted, his meetings have been no less successful, and votes of confidence in the Liberal Party and in himself as Leader have been carried with apparently little dissent. There are perhaps many in this district who are opposed to Sir Joseph Ward on account of alleged breaches of faith in matters directly affecting their interests, and others who, have little confidence in him as Leader of the Liberal Party, but there seems to be ample proof that he has almost entirely worn down the hostile attitude against him that marked the close of the 1911 elections. Sir Joseph Ward may now be said to share with the Prime Minister himself the attention and expressions of loyalty from the masses of the electors. The reinstatement of the Leader of the Opposition in public favour is naturally proving a thorn in the side of the Reformers, and is a factor that will go a long way towards levelling up the chances of the two main parties next December. While not

discounting in any way the good work accomplished by the Massey Government, we would remind the electors of this district that Sir Joseph Ward is at.present head of a political party that is responsible for most of the beneficent legislation on the Statute book, and of a party that probably still represents three-fifths of the people of the Dominion.