SIR JOSEPH WARD AT WELLINGTON.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13286, 11 December 1911, Page 2

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT WELLINGTON.

[United Press Association.]

Wellington, Dec. 10.

Sir Joseph Ward, who was in the best of health and spirits, when asked to-day if ho cared to say anything regarding the statement by the Leader of the Opposition in the Press this morning, readily responded, lie said there was no reason whatever for the Liberal l'arty to bo otlier than hopeful as to the resu.ts of the second ballots, 'throughout tiie country he had examined the records of the voting, and found in electorates where second ballots were to take place that the Opposition scored vj,.u,- \u^s less than the candidates opposed to them, and it remains to be seen whether a large number of electors at the second ballot arc going to help the Opposition Party to come into power. It was, in his opinion, unlikely, as such a combination represented by the votes at the second ballot would bo unnatural. He believed the people, now they realised the possibility of being put under Conservative rule, would be roused to the danger that faced them. ''Though Mr. Masscy may find pleasure in calling the Liberal Party names in his statement to the Press this morning, tha fact remains tntit our J'.uVi i—t placed some of the finest legislation m the world on the Statute Book, and it is of immense benefit to the people and an enormous advantage to workers, farmers, traders, and women and young children. Besides there is the 'magnificent work, as it undoubted.y is, oi placing 150,000 persons on the land, and the incalculable benefits of financial aid granted to farmers, and workers, and local bodies, and though we may be called extravagant by the Leader of the Opposition, thero are to-day many thousands of happy homes that did not exist prior to our policy being adopted and vigorously prosecuted." The record was one any Party had every reason to be proud of. 'Sham record and spuriousness was not on the side of the Government, but was to be found on the side <if the Opposition tliat had strenuously opposed some of the most valuable legislation on the Statute Book, and who were to-day as ever "wo.yes in sheep's clotimig," and were a.iv. a,, "crying before they were out of tho wood." lie was quite ready, as ho had always been to trust the people, and would cheerfully abide by their decision next Thursday.