Political.

Southern Cross, Volume 10, Issue 21, 23 August 1902, Page 10

Political.

A UNITED SOUTHLAND Under the above heading, “ Southlander,” who believes that the best interests of the district and the colony would be served by the re-election of Southland’s present representatives, forwards the first of a series of articles in view of the forthcoming elections. The first is devoted to Sir Joseph Ward. The Awarua electorate (says the writer) may honestly congratulate itself on having a world-famed representative —a man who, by the virtue of his great talents and commanding personality has been the means of placing on the statutes of the colony many notable reforms, which have tended materially to the betterment of the. people. Representing Awarua since 1887, the honourable gentleman has at all times displayed much energy and zeal for the advancement of his belove'd Southland, of his own particular district, and of the personal wants of bis constituents. His advocacy of the cause of right and his well-directed efforts against ‘ the rotten trunks of wrong,’ have been times out of number crowned with success. Like all great public men who approach near to the race of political giants, Sir Joseph Ward has had his political enemies; but undoubtedly the great mass of -the people have trusted in his ability and the wisdom of bis policy, while even those who are opposed to him on broad public grounds cannot withhold a meed of praise and admiration. Called to the Cabinet when a great wave of progression was passing over the land, the Hon, J. G. Ward soon came into prominence. There had been a forward movement the world over, and the young Minister soon found that a wide field lay before him for the display of his great energy and abilities. His colleagues—and they were able men, a Ministry of the talents —soon found him a most valuable acquisition, and he was quickly entrusted by the Hon. Mr Ballance with a large share of the responsibilities that had fallen to the Ministry, not the least being the extrication of the colony from the mire of depression, brought about by the maladministration of the Continuous Ministry. Henceforth he had the ball at his feet. An able man among able men, he.ranks with the best of Australasian politicians, while he has continuously retained the confidence and esteem of the people. Naturally endowed with many traits of character that are invaluable to the progressive politician, Sir J. G. Ward was always found to be abreast of his work. The simplest subjects to the most important were sure of consideration when placed before him. As our representative at several over-sea conferences, he always championed the colony’s rights, and so brought New Zealand into that international prominence which had hitherto been denied her. The uncompromising attitude displayed by the hon. gentleman in matters of vital importance has time and again upset the calculations of his opponents and political adversaries. Oftentimes in the face of adverse and determined criticism, he has forced the impress of his will upon the nation, and with such absolute success that the people of the colony have to thank his great determination and political genius for many inestimable boons and industrial achievements. Sir J. G. Ward fostered the cheap money scheme in the face of the fiercest opposition from a section of the press and a party in the country, while he successfully aided and encouraged his honourable colleague, John McKenzie, in furthering settlement, providing land for the landless, and obtaining numberless facilities for the agriculturists. It is admitted on ail hands that our laws lead the van when compared with those of any other country, and our farmers enjoy more privileges than others elsewhere '— so much so as to be

envied by those beyond our shores. From the foresight and courageous policy of the Government has resulted the prosperity of the colony, as we find it, during the past ten years, and to these excellent results Sir J, G. Ward’s political acumen has largely contributed —a prosperity that will not be properly appreciated or accredited to our Government so long as depression is kept from our shores. But should the men who rule us so wisely be changed, public works stopped, railway votes and postal concessions put back as they were some years ago, land settlement and cheap money swept away, with a corresponding rise in interest and an increase in taxation, retrenchment be brought about in educational and other votes and the branches of the service, together with the threatened wiping out of old age pensions ; then shall the policy of our Government be clamoured for again, and our present public men be regarded as having been the true friends of the people—men whose worth we undervalued in the time of our prosperity. The great political powers of Sir J. G. Ward deserve a wider field for their display than is possible in our insular country. But as the Imperial suggestion of obtaining colonial representation at Westminster is meeting with universal approval, it is likely that a great and important future lies before Sir Joseph, who would undoubtedly be our foremost representative in such a Parliament; and in discharging that Imperial-cum-Oolonial duty that he is likely to be called upon to perform, he would do so to the advantage of Imperial and Colonial interests and with an ability in keeping with his reputation in the past.