THE PRIME MINISTER’S RETURN.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143587, 28 August 1911, Page 2

THE PRIME MINISTER’S RETURN.

The occasion of the return of Sir Joseph Ward and Sir John Findlay from London was somewhat marred by the tone adopted by the former in his reply to the welcome accorded him and his party. Ho and his colleague went Home to represent the Dominion at the Imperial Conference and at the coronation of King George. This was purely a non-party mission, recognised ns such by all shades of political opinion, and the Dominion was prepared to welcome them ou their return in the same spirit. During their absence the loaders of the party opposed to them have observed the proprieties usual under the conditions and have abstained from political warfare so far as it was incumbent upon and possible for them to do so. They have not taken undue advantage of the absence of the Prime Minister to carry the war into his camp, though there are evidences that in the concluding weeks of the Parliamentary session and the short period leading up to tho general election the fight will be a strenuous if uot a bitter one. Under the circumstances it_woukl have been better for Sir Joseph Ward to have adopted a different tone at his first welcome, even at tho cost of dissembling a little. Instead he referred with apparent bitterness to gossip which has been current lately, gossip which can scarcely harm him if it is untrue. His denial of the rumours about an estate in Essex and a settlement upon his eldest sou is sufficient to dismiss them once and for all, though there may bo some lingering doubts as to what might have happened under other circumstances with regard to the High Comrnissionership. In any case there was nothing in all this talk to call for angry denial. Sir Joseph W ard is an old politician and has had to endure more criticism than most men ; hence it might have been expected of liirn that he would have passed over this latest gossip very lightly or have ignored it altogether until a more suitable occasion. Instead of that he has imported a spirit into the fray which Is about to commence which most people would prefer to see-kept out of it altogether, or deferred as long as possible. It has considerably detracted from tho heartiness which should have marked the welcome given him by all parties on Ids return from a mission he undertook ou behalf of the Dominion as a whole.