LIBERAL LEADERSHIP.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 73, 22 March 1912, Page 5

LIBERAL LEADERSHIP.

REGARDING SIR JOSEPH WARD’S RETTREMENT. THE LIBERAL CAUCUS. (.Per Press? Association.) Wellington, March 21. A caucus of tlie Liberal Party to select a leader in place of Sir Joseph Ward was held in Wellington to-night Proceedings commenced at ‘o o’clock, and some say the caucus may last several hours. FAILURE TO AGREE. Wellington, This Morning. At 1 o’clock this morning the Liberal caucus having failed to come to ;v decision, adjourned till 11 a.m. tins mondng. MAY TAKE THE HELM LATER. Wellington, March 21. A deputation of about 300, representing the Liberals of Wellington, waited on Sir Joseph Ward at his rc-s-'dence to-day and presented the resolution passed at a meeting on luesday night, requesting him to retain tiie leadership of the party. Mr Reid, who introduced the deputation, referred to the great works performed by S.r Joseph and the Liberal Party. • „ lOt ier sneakers were Messrs. Ij. Arnold, Gray, A. L. Wilson, C Hall, and Parata, and Mesdames Keay, Brown, and Moore. Sir Joseph Ward, who was cheered on rising to respond, thanked these present for the kind representations and utterances. Though he would be unable \ to give effect to what they asked,', he would always remember their kindly wislips. He could not, in fairness to himself 01 the country, retain the position lie now held. He had made a statement to that effect in the House. He attributed the present cris s to the ‘ extraordinary and contemptible, meanness of the large land-owners, provided they were to judge them by their newspapers.” Those people had directed their efforts against him, bat the policy he had pursued had n'd been directed against any individual, but in the interests of tae whole community. They would find a recoil in their method of doing things. The Liberal Party would take cveryfchmor <n; t of thorn for what they had done”in the way,of keeping people eff the land. What had the tradesmen or the public generally to expect from people who during the financial depuession had sent their money out or she country so as to enable them to step in and buy up property for comparatively nothing? He beneved the opponents of the Liberals had taken advantage of the split in the Liberal and Labour ranks shortly after the death of Mr. Seddon, and were now endeavouring to press the Labour Party to their breasts. The. sole of h’s political opponents had been-: “Put out Ward.” He had been subjected to the most outrageous abuse in connection with the five million loan, • And' 'was' repeatedly asked for papers which those asking knew, lie, did ; not ‘possess. Ho would like to yield to the requests! made to retain, the leadership, but he would not be the bugbear to push thg.Libca-al aiid Labour * Party out of power:-Ho Avals proud to say he leaving office w:Tii .tjic .country -in a financially strong condition. It'was sounder'arid stronger how than ever before. At the end of the year they would have a record revenue. The country from end to end was prosperous. The Government he had been head ;cf had been most enterprising. No such pro- [ gressivc legislation as they had passed had ever been put through, in the world. At the present time New Zealand undoubtedly .stood higher' in the eyes of the world than ever before!' E!e : ptfiii.tcd' oit't that even tnej.Oppo,-) sition had been compelled to say they j would not repeal one. Act put .on thq, statute hook by .his Government. I;}, the future'the people of the Dominion showed that they did -not - believe the scandals that the liars of this country had disseminated he would be prepared to again assist in the work of the country. He predicted another appeal to the people inside twelve months, when the Liberals would come back stronger than .ever, and when there would 'be no victory on the Speaker’s casting vote or oh a majority of two. Cheers for Sir Joseph and Lady Ward concluded the function. “A RALLY OF FRIENDS.” Inglewood, March 21. The following wire was despatched yesterday to Sir Joseph Ward:— “The, Inglewood Liberal Association desires to tender their regret at your contemplated retirement as Prime Minister. They hope you will carefully reconsider the matter. If you can remain leader of the Liberal Party you will find such a rally of friends as your meritorious public service so well deserves.” | AN EG MONT RESOLUTION. TGBtham, March 22. A meeting of Liberals last night pissed the following. resolution: “That this meeting desires to express its appreoiat : on of the long and distinguished services of Sir Joseph Ward as leader of the’ Liberal Party and of the many Liberal and progressive measures that have, owing largely to his instrumentality, passed into law. It also views with satisfaction the complete refutation of the charges recently made against him, and feels assured that he will in the future lie found in the van still fighting the battles of the people.”. Preliminary steps were also taken to form a branch in the Egniont electorate of the Liberal and Labour Federation.