PREMIER’S RESIGNATION

Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1930, Page 11

PREMIER’S RESIGNATION

HIS HEALTH COMPELS DECISION LIFETIME IN COUNTRY’S SERVICE NO INDICATION AS TO' SUCCESSOR Sir Joseph Ward has .intimated his intention to resign the Premiership on the advice of his doctors. In a. message to the public upon his lying down of the reins after a lifetiine of public service and an outstanding political career he says it is his desire not to hamper the administration of the country by retaining oiiiee while indisposed. The resignation will be placed in the hands of the Governor-General. No indication is given as to Sir Joseph s probable successor.

BREAKDOWN OF HEALTH DOCTORS URGE COMPLETE REST. REGRET AT LEAVING OFFICE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Rotorua, May 15. "‘Towards the end of last session of Parliament I suffered a breakdown in health, necessitating temporary retirement from active participation in official duties,” said Sir Joseph, in a statement to the public to-day. “Early in the present year I came to Rotorua, where I am still undergoing a course of 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 colleagues, and being inspired by the keen desire that my indisposition should not in any way hamper the efficient administration of. the public affairs of the Dominion, I have decided, bn 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 Gov-ernor-General. ”1 need hardly say that I take this course with the greatest regret, because I 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 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 of ordinary member of the House, of a Minister of the Crown, and of 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. HERITAGE TO GUARD. “To me the inspiring motive of service has been the earnest desire to ad-, vance the progress and prosperity of thia fair land. I have seen the development of the Dominion proceed in a truly wonderful manner. It is to-day a legitimately proud claim for one to call himself a New Zealander, and it will be for future generations to see that' they guard jealously the heritage which will be theirs. “Though the times through which we are now passing are not without difficulties and pressing problems, and though the horizon may appear darkened by clouds, there is always a silver lining, and the characteristic tenacity of the people will enable them to surmount the obstacles in the path of our national progress and to win through. ""To my Ministerial colleagues I desire to express my deep gratitude for their loyal co-operation in the task of Government. I know, full well, that my ill-health has. rendered the way not easy for them. I cannot speak too highly of their devotion and assistance. To the leaders of the other two political parties, as well as to all the other members of Parliament, I desire to tender my ..sincere acknowledgment of their courtesy, more especially during ray time of illness. . I should also like to tak§ the opportunity of paying a-tri-bute to the zeal and efficiency of the heads of the State Deparim >.nta and the members of the r public service. I speak with years of experience when I say that New Zealand has been indeed well and faithfully served by the Government officers.- ■ ' “To my fellow citizens vho extended so much consideration to me, particularly during recent months, I should like to voice my deep appreciation of their -..kindness and sympathy, and how that ,• fhe. evening of my official life is draw- ■; jag to a close I rave nothing but reel lings of friendliest goodwill to each and ~ eyery 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 our great British Commonwealth.” (Signed) JOSEPH GEORGE WARD. , GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S TRIBUTE. NEWS CAUSES GREAT REGRET. Auckland, Last Night. ’ Reference to the .retirement of Sir Joseph Ward was m ado by the, GovernorGeneral, Lord Bledisloe, in his address at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon. His Excellency’s tribute to the manner in which Sir Joseph has. served . the Dominion was greeted'with .. ■, . t')i r.l.f) id? 4';l

‘ “I' have just received a message which has caused me great regret and which I am sure will cause you regret also,” His Excellency said. "The Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, has decided on medical advice to vacate the position of Prime Minister and retire from public life, a sphere of duty which he has adorned for many years. Whatever your political opinions may be, I feel sure that you will join with me in expressing the hope that Sir Joseph may live for many years to enjoy better health, coupled with the respect and confidence of the people of the Dominion for which he has done so much. , “Whatever may result from this decision, which so early in my duties as Governor*General throws a measure of responsibility on my shoulders, I feel confident that nt> political predilections will stand in the way of the best interests of the Dominion being the predominant consideration of all those who sway public opinion in this country.” NOTABLE POLITICAL CAREER 43 YEARS AS PARLIAMENTARIAN. LIFE OF CONTINUAL SERVICE.. Sir Joseph Ward was born at Emerald Hill, Melbourne, in 1856, the son of Mr. T. A. Ward, a Melbourne merchant. He received his education in a private school at Melbourne, and later at the State school at Bluff, where he joined the Post and Telegraph Department at the age of 13 years. He left to enter a merchant’s office, and at the age of 20 joined the railway service. A year later Sir Joseph started in,business as an export merchant. He was one of the first councillors of the Campbelltown borough, and was its Mayor from 1881 till 1886, and from 1897-98. He was a member of the Bluff Harbour Board for .over 10 years, and was twice its chairman. Sir Joseph’s first venture into national politics was -in 1887, when he contested the Awarua seat in the Liberal interests against Messrs. J. W. Bain and G. Froggatt, both of whom he defeated. From that time for a long period Sir Joseph took a very prominent part in the political affairs ef New Zealand. He was Colonial Treasurer in the Seddon Government from 1893, to 1896, in which year a crisis in the affairs of the J. G. Ward Farmers’ Association led to his resignation from Ministerial office. In the following year his business misfortunes led to his seat in the House becoming vacant, but he was again elected on offering himself for it. In 1899 he rejoined the Government as Postmaster-General, and this office was (.held until 1906, his administration being marked by the introduction of advanced reforms that will long be associated with his name. Among other important public posts he filled Were those of Commissioner of Customs, Minister of Industries and Commerce, Minister of Marine, Minister of Railways and Minister of Public Health. . ■ . On three occasions during the absence of Mr. Seddon he was called on to fill the position of acting-Prime Minister. He can claim the distinction of being the first Minister of Public Health in the world. He was a of the All-Red cable service, and for his persistent and successful advocacy of the penny postage in New Zealand he received special recognition in being knighted in 1901. When he-visited England and raised a special loan at 3 per cent, to finance the Advances to Settlers’ Office, which he initiated, this was the first time in the history of Australian or New Zealand finance that such a loan had been raised. Between the years 1892 and 1906 he represented New Zealand at important postal conferences at Sydney, Brisbane, Wellington, Hobart and Rome.

Mr, Seddon died while Sir Joseph was absent from the Dominion, and on his return.he assumed,office as Prime Minister. He represented New Zealand at Imperial Conferences in 1907 and 1911, and was instrumental in securing the recognition of New Zealand as a Dominion. During his visits to Britain he received the Freedom of Edinburgh, London, Bristol and Manchester, and was made an honorary LL.D, of Edinburgh and of Dublin. In 1907 he was appointed a Privy Councillor. In 1909, oil behalf of the New Zealand Government, Sir Joseph made to Britain the historic offer of one, or, if necessary, two battle cruisers, and in 1911 he was created a baronet. The Ward Government survived a no-confidence motion early in 1912, but Sir Joseph Ward then resigned. Sir Thomas Mackenzie succeeded him as Prime Minister, but his Government was defeated on a motion of no-confidence in July, 1912, and the Reform Party then came into power. In the National Cabinet Sir Joseph Ward held the position of Minister of Finance from 1915 to 1919, and, with Mr. Massey, he attended several war conferences in London. In - December, 1919, after having represented Awarua continuously since 1887, he was defeated by Mr, J. R. Hamilton. On the death of Sir William Herries he unsuccessfully contested the Tauranga seat against Mr. O. E, MacMillan (Reform), who polled 4360 votes to Sir Joseph’s 3235. At the 1920 general election. Sir .Joseph was returned for Invercargill..- . ; .