SIR JOSEPH’S MESSAGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 972, 15 May 1930, Page 1

SIR JOSEPH’S MESSAGE

LIFETIME SERVICE FOR NEW ZEALAND SORRY to lay down reins Press Association ROTORUA, Today. "It will be remembered that toward the end of t>3 last session of Parliament, I suffered a breakdown in health, necessitating a temporary retirement from active participation in my official duties,” says Sir Joseph Ward in a statement announcing his resignation. “Early in the present year, I came, to Rotorua where I am still undergoing a course or treatment. “While I have experienced considerable benefit during my sojourn at Rotorua, my medical advisers have intimated to me that in the interests of my health it is essential that I should have freedom from work and official worry. “After full consideration with my •olleagues, and being inspired by a keen desire that my indisposition should not in any way hamper the efficient administration of the public affairs of the Dominion, I have decided, on mature consideration, to yield to the advice which has been tendered me by the doctors. “Accordingly, I am taking steps to place my resignation as Prime Minister in the hands of his Excellency the Governor-General. “I need hardly say that I take this course with Use greatest regret, because I had hoped that my state of health would have permitted me to devote my services to the progress and welfare of New Zealand for a still longer period. “However, the fates have ordained otherwise, and the time has now arrived for me to lay down the reins of office. “In doing so, I look back to practically a. lifetime spent in the country’s service. I entered Parliament as a young man, and almost continuously through the intervening years I have devoted what abilities I possessed to the service of the country, in the capacity as an ordinary member of the House, as a Minister of the Crown, and as Prime Minister. During this long period I have, at various times, encountered strong opposition. What man in public life does not? But I made lasting friendships. “To me, the inspiring motive of service has been an earnest desire to advance the progress and prosperity of this fair land. I have seen the development of the Dominion proceed in a truly wonderful manner. It is today a legitimately proud claim for one to cull himself a New Zealander, and it be for future generations to see that they guard jealously the heritage which will b€> theirs. . “Though the times through which we are now passing are not without their difficulties and pressing problems, and though the horizon may appear darkened by clouds, there is always a silver lining, and the characteristic tenacity of our people will enable them to surmount the obstacles in the path of national progress, and to win through. “To my Ministerial colleagues I desire to express my deep gratitude for their loya.l co-operation in the task °f Government. I know full well that my ill-health has rendered the way not easy for them. I cannot speak too highly of the devotion and assistance. To the leaders of the two other political parties, as well as to ull the other members of Parliament, 1 desire to tender my sincere acknowledgement of their uniform courtesy, tnore especially during the time of illness. I should also like to take an opportunity of paying tribute to the zeal and efficiency of the heads of departments, and members of l ~ e Public Service. I speak with years j experience, when I say New Zeahas been indeed well and faitbTnUy served by its Government officers to n>y iwjkwgrirtwgap ytbm lum,

extended so much consideration to me particularly during recent months, I should like to voice my deep appreciation of the kindness and sympathy, and now that the evening of my official life is drawing to a close I have nothing but feelings of the friendli est goodwill to each and every one. May the land we love so well prosper exceedingly in coming years, secure in its freedom and liberties under the Crown, which I fervently trust will always stand as a symbol of the unity of the great British Commonwealth.” JOSEPH GEORGE WARD. VETERAN POLITICIAN RECORD OF 43 YEARS’ SERVICE SIR JOSEPH WARD’S CAREER The Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward is in his 74th year, and has been one of the most prominent political figures New Zealand has seen. Despite his long an'd strenuous life in the political circles of the Dominion, he returned in November, 1928, to lead the newlyformed United Party with the vigour and force which provided proof of his weight as a political factor. For three years before his appointment as Prime Minister and head of the present Government he sat as the sole representative of the old Liberalism in the House of Representatives, refusing stolidly to change his party banner when the old party altered its name to ‘■National.” Sir Joseph first entered Parliament in 1887 and represented Awarua continuously until defeated at the 1919 election. At the by-election for Tauranga in 1923, after the death of Sir William Herries, Sir Joseph Ward was decisively defeated, but re-entered Parliament in 1925 as a member for Invercargill. His service at the head of the Liberal Government after the death of Mr. R. J. Seddon and his ad ministration as Postmaster-General and Colonial Treasurer in the Ballance Ministry had proved a tower of strength to his party. During the war, he was PostmasterGeneral and Minister of Finance in the National Government with the late Mr. Massey.