DEATH OF SIR JOSEPH WARD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18614, 9 July 1930, Page 3

DEATH OF SIR JOSEPH WARD

Long Life Devoted to Country’s Service NEW ZEALAND HOMAGE TO DECEASED STATESMAN.

PASSING OF GREAT NEW ZEALANDER.

TRANQUIL END OF DISTINGUISHED CAREER. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, July 8. At 3 o’clock this morning the death occurred, after a long illness, of the Rt. lion. Sir Joseph George Ward, Bart., P.C., K.CJ.M.G., LL.D. Flags wearily drooping at half-mast in the mists of a beautiful winter morning notified Wellington of the late Prime Minister’s death. About Parliament Buildings there was hush and tributes to a faithful public servant of the Dominion for the past fifty years were general.

Sir Joseph’s end was tranquil, r for during the night, there were £ no untoward signs that the close of a distinguished life was near. £ He “ceased upon midnight without pain.” Those of the family who were in i: Wellington at the time were Mrs B. c B. Wood, his daughter, and Mr Wood, £ Mr Vincent Ward and Mrs Ward and r Mr Pat Ward. Sir Cyril Ward and Mr t Gladstone Ward are expected to arrive t from Christchurch to-morrow morning. t Throughout the morning messages j of sympathy from all parts of New £ Zealand arrived, both at 47 Molesworth t Street, the Ministerial residence, where £ Sir Joseph died, and at Parliament £ Buildings. p t T. •INSPIRED PUBLIC CONFIDENCE.” r t \ LONDON PRESS TRIBUTES. | 1 United Press Association—By Electric * Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 8. 7.30 p.m.) J LONDON, July 7. \ The news of Sir Joseph Ward’s death ' was received in England with general 1 regret. All newspapers have long apprecia- , tive notices of an outstanding imper- . ialist, with emphasis of his advocacy of imperial penny postage, the dread- 1 nought, and offer of services in the Imperial War Cabinet in 1918. The “Times” says: Sir Joseph Ward was a ceaseless worker for New Zealand and ! the Empire. He possessed unbounded faith in both, and carried through i what others might have failed in, because he inspired public confidence. £IR JOSEPH WARD’S RECORD. CAREER OF FLUCTATIONS SURPRISE RETURN TO OFFICE No one has cause to know better than Sir Joseph Ward the glorious uncertainties of Politics. He has lun the whole gamut of political experiences—in office with a sound majority, in office without a majority, out of office and even out of Parliament for a time. Ihen he returned to become the lone Liberal in ? House of 80 members. No one was bo.d enough then to predict that he would again be Prime Minister. Probably Sir Joseph himself at that time cherished no such ambition. But. almost miraculously, the turn of the tide at the elections of IS2B led him back io office most 17 years after he had vacated e Prime Ministership. His record in tnat respect is unique. It was obviously a proud moment in Sir Joseph s career when, on the even of December 10, 1928 he met representatives of the press, and officially announced the personnel of the present Cabinet. Sir Joseph wax wreathed in smiles as he handed to the members of that little group the official lists of his Ministry. His political career had reached its second climax, and Sir Joseph was well entitled to smile. For a moment he could forget the sterr task that lay ahead of his untried team and could meditate a while on the former experiences of office. He remembered, perhaps, how not quite 38 years earlier, when only 35 years of age, he had received his own first Cabinet appointment at the hands of John Ballance, how in subsequent years he proved an excellent lieutenant to Richard John Seddon, and how, shortly after Mr Seddon 3 death in 190 b, he became for the first time Premier. Once a Te'cgraph Messenger Whatever measure of praise or blame may be accorded Sir Joseph in his strictly political capacity, his own personal career will always challenge attention. for it is New Zealand’s counterpart to Licoln's rise from ‘from log cabin to White House,” Were the title a little more euphonious, one might well style Sir Joseph’s career “from telegraph messenger to Prime Minister.’ Romance touched his career at many pointJ, but surely never more so than when it was decreed that this messenger of 13 should be the Postmaster - General of 35 and 73. It was indeed, in 190 C, when absent from New Zealand attending a postal congress at Pome, that he received the news of the death of Seddon, with its implication that he would succeed to the leadership of the Government. Sir Joseph

then, remembering how important phases of his career have been related to the department in which he first served as a lad, can be pardoned for the sentimental attachmnts he had always felt toward the office of Post-master-General, which he reassumed only last December. No special advantages of birth accelerated Sir Joseph's political progress. Born at Emerald Hill, Melbourne, in 1856, he came to New Zealand shortly afterwards, and it was reinforced with only a primary school education that he set out at the age of 13 to make his way in the world. His first employment as a telegraph messenger soon gave place to a position in a mercantile office, and at the age of 20 he joined the Railways Department, but resigned a year later to set up in business as an export merchant. Early Entry Into Politics His acquaintance wfith the world of local goverment began at an equally early age, for, when only 22 he became a member of the Campbelltown (Bluff) Borough Council, and three years later was Mayor of the borough, an office he held for five years. It was when only 31 that Sir Joseph entered the realm of local politics by succeeding in his canditure for the Awarua seat, a constituency he represented continuously for 33 years. It was not his fate to wander long in the wilderness, for the accession of the Liberals to power rather more than three years later found his talent recognised by his appointment as Postmaster-General and Commissioner of Telegraphs in the Ballance Ministry. Further advancement came in when Mr Seddon, the successor of Mr Ballance, chose Sir Joseph as Colonial Treasurer. Throughout Mr Seddon's long regime Sir Joseph was one of the Prime Minister’s most valued colleagues. His financial skill was recognised and undoubtedly it contributed much in matters of detail to the shaping of the le” lation for which the period was notable. On the visit o 2 the present King to New Zealand as Duke of Cornwall and York in 1901 Sir Joseph was made a K.C.M.G. A baronetcy was accepted ten years later.

As Prime Minister from 1906 to 1912 Sir Joseph was concerned with several changes notable from the Imperial point of view. New Zealand rose from the status of a colony to that of a Dominion. A little later Sir Joseph made the offer to the Imperial Government that New Zealand would provide the cost of a battle-cruiser, an offer which materialised in the building of H.M.S. New Zealand, which rendered valiant service during the war.

Returned with a heavily-reduced following at the 1911 elections, Sir Joseph met Parliament at a special session in the following February and on the crucial no-confidence motion sponsored by Mr Massey as Leader of the Opposition the Ward Government was spared the ignominy of defeat on the casting vote of the Speaker, Sir Arthur Guinness. However, Sir Joseph Ward intimated he did not intend to cling to office on a narrow majority and the fulfilment of that undertaking came at the end of March, when a reconstructed Ministry, headed by the la*e Sir Thomas Mackenzie, came into office.

However. Mr Massey’s triumph was not long delayed, for in the following July, at the normal session of the House, he launched another no-confid-ence motion, on which the Mackenzie Government was defeated by 41 votes to 33. The members who expressed no confidence in the Government included five who had previously voted to save the Ward Ministry.

Loss of Long-held Seat. On resigning from the Prime Ministership, Sir Joseph Ward had indicated that he would retire into the rank and file of the Liberal Party, and did so for a time, but in 1913 he accepted the leadership again. Two days after the first anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War Sir Joseph Ward again assumed office as Minister of Finance in the National or Coalition Government, and, with Mr Massey, attended three war conferences. Sir Joseph also acompanied Mr Massey to be present at the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. Almost immediately after returning to New Zealand Sir Joseph and his Liberal colleagues decided to withdraw from the coalition formed for the better prosecution of the war, and in the general elections at the end of 1919 he lost his . longheld seat at Awarua.

It seemed that Sir Joseph would allow that reverse to spell the end of his political career. He was not a candidate at the 1922 elections, but in the following year he made an unexpected effort to re-enter' the political arena

by contesting a oy-election at Tauranga. The quest failed, but in 1925

Sir Joseph won the Invercargill seat at the general election, and thus returned to political life after an absence of six years. Sir Joseph chose not to enter the ranks of the National Tarty, formed from the remnants of the following Sir Joseph had in more prosperous days led. He became known as the lone Liberal of that Parliament, a sharp contrast in political fortunes, seeing that he had formerly been the Prime Minister in a Liberal Government. Back Again in Office. Two years ago none could have foreseen the possibility of Sir Joseph being again the leader of a party. That he should within a few months become leader of the governing party seemed c.n extravagant thought. Sh; Joseph had vindicated himself by again winning a seat in the House, and it was believed he would be happy to seek a voluntary retirement after serving his three years’ term, for ill-health had been his portion in recent years. However, following the creation of the United Party in 1928, Sir Joseph ac-~ i cepted the leadership, which the last ! general election converted into the I Prime Ministership. Sixteen years earlier, when retiring \ from office as Prime Minister, Sir i Joseph had addressed a farewell mes- i sage to the people, in the course of which he said: “ I am now past middle I life, and from years of early youth \ until to-day *my life has been one of strenuous labour. The best years of j my life have been given to my coun- | try; hence it is that I accept with < great cheerfulness Fhe retirement j which circumstances have forced upon me.” That utterance is worthy of remembrance, for it throws an interesting light on the immense courage and confidence shown by Sir Joseph Ward in seeking and finding again in 1928 the path to the highest political office. He was 56 when the declared himself to be “now past middle life.” Yet at 72 he felt young enough to handle again the reins of Government. Victim of Indisposition. But such magnificent courage needed the alliance of a physical stamina Sir Joseph could not expect to have in 1928, and he could not suppose that the burdens of office, made the heavier because they were shared with a mainly inexperienced team of colleagues, could fail to weigh unduly even on his politically sturdy shoulders. Certainly, the return to office appeared for a while to give Sir Joseph what is colloquially termed a "new lease of life,” but he was a very tired man when he came to Auckland in June, 1929, on his first official visit to the city since returning to power. The session which followed shortly afterwards showed that the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. Sir Joseph did not spare himself. Deputations on all manner ox subjects, many of which with discretion might have been refered directly to other Ministers, were patiently received by him. The life within the House also had its trials — trials such as any minority Government must expect to encounter. The forerunner of a longer indisposition came in September, when Sir Joseph was obliged ‘to take a fortnight’s spell from duty. Early in October he was again forced to rest, and did not appear in the House during the remainder of the session, which ended on November 9. After the close of the session, Sir Joseph Ward was taken from his primate suite in Parliament Buildings, and spent several weeks at his private residence at Heretaunga, near Wellington. Acting on advice that he should take treatment at Rotorua, Sir Joseph went to the thermal district toward the end of January. He - remained there for five weeks, whereupon he paid a short visit to Wellington to attend a Cabinet meeting. He returned to Rotorua on March 10. Although there was a temporary improvement in Sir Joseph’s health, his retirement from the Prime Ministership, on medical advice, was subsequently announced on Thursday, May 15.

PARLIAMENT’S TRIBUTE. EULOGIES FROM ALL PARTIES. ‘ HOUSE ADJOURNS FOR A WEEK. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, July 8. The ordinary programme of business was suspended when the House of Representatives met this afternoon, and sympathetic references to the death ox Sir Joseph Ward were made by representatives of all parties. Motion of Sympathy. The Prime Minister (Hon. G. W. Forbes), moved: — “That the House place on record its high sense of the devoted and distinguished services rendered to New Zealand and to the Empire bv Sir Ward as a member, and as ex-Prime Minister, and respeccfuiiy tenner uo nu family an assurance of sincere sympathy with them in their bereavement.”

Prime Minister’s Tribute. Mr Forbes briefly outlined Sir Joseph’s career, both as a politician and in public life, before he entered the House of Representatives. At such a time as the present, said Mr Forbes, all members oi the House laid aside their political differences. When Sir Joseph retired from the Prime Ministership, he left behind a feeling of personal loss. It was truly said that the greatness of a country was built up on the actions and accomplishments of its public men, and whefre a high standard of public duty was set by those public men, that country was on a sound foundation, awas to men like Sir Joseph Ward that this country was indebted for the soundness of its constitution and foundation. When they looked back on the long record of public men who had served New Zealand, they had every

reason to be thankful. Sir Joseph had contributed in very large measure, to the building of New Zealand’s foundation. He had won a host of friends by his kindly nature and his unfailing courtesy. Sir Joseph had brought a spirit of optimism to the House of Representatives at a time when optimism was badly needed. Mr Forbes recalled his early association with Sir Joseph Ward, and said he had always sincerely admired the man and his methods. There could be no kinder-hearted man, nor any more considerate leader. When, after he had stepped down and had taken his place in the Opposition, Mr Forbes was his Whip, and he found him always the soul of honour. In every way he had maintained a high standard of duty. When Sir Joseph again took office, he was in failing health, but thought that he would be able to be of some service to his country. He did not think of sparing himself when he felt that he could be of assistance to New Zealand. Sir Joseph felt that his counsel, advice, and long experience would be of value to the country, and he gave it until he felt his strength would not longer permit it. He never shirked the hardest work. No one who asked for an audience with him was

ever refused. Right, throughout New Zealand there would be a feeling that a long and distinguished record had come to a close, and the verdict would be: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” No monument to his memory would be more fitting than his record, and the high respect in which Sir Joseph was held by the whole of the people of New Zealand. On Behalf of Opposition. The Hon. J. G. Coates associated himself with the expressions of sympathy, and added a tribute to the achievements of Sir Joseph Ward. Sir Joseph, he said, had led a full and active life with some great successes purl some defeats. From the latter he had always returned with cheery optimum, to take his place in the ranks. His history ran over more than half of

the Governmental record in New Zealand. In one form or other he had served his country for over fifty years. As an Imperialist, everybody would pay tribute to the work which Sir Joseph had done in the interests of the Empire, especially in the direction of adequate defence and protection of trade routes. He had recognised that the Empire was worth defending. Sir Joseph had always been an advocate of Empire unity, and it was their duty to carry on his work in that direction. They would remember Sir Joseph as a personal friend, apart altogether from politics, and many hard things said across the floor of the House would be forgotten when they thought of the great part he had played in the history of New Zealand, and indeed of the Empire as a whole.

Labour’s Reverence. The Leader of the Labour Party (Mr 1 K. E. Holland), in supporting the motion, and joining in the message of sympathy, said that Sir Joseph Ward had had half a century of public service to his credit, including nearly 40 years in active political life. Few men could have endured, as Sir Joseph Ward did, the strain of his «iong and active political career. Mr Holland said he marvelled that Sir Joseph had been able to return to the House and to Prime Ministership at the age of 70 years. Even those" who were most strenuously opposed to him maintained close friendship with him. He was one of nature’s gentlemen. Mr Holland referred to the severe blow of Lady Ward’s death to Sir Joseph, and said that Sir Joseph’s letters at the time revealed how sorely he felt his bereavement. Everyone who had to enter the conflict of political life appreciated the help and comradeship of a good woman. Referring to Sir Joseph’s part in the proceedings of the Imperial Conference in 1911, Mr Holland said that everyone who read that phase of his career must be struck with the efforts he had made to secure for New Zealand a higher Dominion status. The thanks of New Zealand were due to Sir Joseph to a large extent for the attitude he took up on that occasion. There were measures on the Statute Book of New Zealand which would serve to keep his memory alive. Speaking on behalf of the Labour Party, Mr Rouand said they had differences with Sir Joseph on fundamental principles, but in their strongest conflict the deceased statesman was always exceedingly gentlemanly and courteous to those opposed to him. Conflicts of the past were forgotten in his death, and he was remembered for the great deeds he had done. Southlander Speaks. The Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle expressed the belief that no more brilliant figure than Sir Joseph Ward had adorned any Parliament. There was no more honoured man in the parliamentary life of New Zealand. Everything he had attained had been the outcome of his own effort, ability and determination to succeed. His private life had been beyond reproach, and nothing that was mean or in any way repellent had ever entered into his career. He had his political opponents, but no political enemies. While on his deathbed he had remarked, to members of Cabinet: “I'm going out with a clean sheet, and I’m not a coward.” That. Mr Perrelle said, summed up Sir Joseph Ward. Southland loved him. and his work had done much to make Southland the great province that it was today. For the Maori Race. Sir A. T. Ngata said he wished to express sympathy and appreciation on behalf of the Maori people. Sir Joseph Ward's record as a business man, and as a statesman, as detailed by the | Prime Minister, had become part of the I history of this country. There were two names which could never be separated in the minds of the Maori people—Seddon and Ward. While these two statesmen had worked together previously, Sir Joseph Ward’s own attitude toward the Maori race had not completely been revealed till the period from 1906 to 1912. When he was Prime Minister, it was then that his general kindly attitude toward the native race

had enabled the late Sir James Carroll to perform his great work as Minister It might be said that more could have been achieved, but it had to be remembered that it was then still a time when Maori affairs were a party quesI tion. During Sir Joseph Ward's brief I return to office in 1928, he had gone so far as to initiate a scheme, and eventually administer the finances so as to make possible the development of native lands thus carrying on the traditions of Sir James Carroll, and making it possible for the Maoris to say at least that the pakeha was beginning to have more confidence in his own handiwork —the handiwork of civilisation. It was a great step in moulding the destiny of the Maori race under modern civilisation. Referring to Fir Joseph Ward's political life. Sir A. T. Ngata said he was one of the most brilliant men in the matter of political conception, though not so great in stage-managing his schemes. In Sir Apirana Ngata’s opinion, it was in that sphere that Mr Seddon was the greater. He was the greater executive, but the gr?°t legislation of the mst wi'u no party had dared to interfere material .y could be traced back to the conception of Sir Joseph Ward. The late leader was always courteous, but beneath that courtesy there was determination never surpassed in the history of the country. In conclusion. Si" A. T. Ngata stated that he had received messages of sympathy and appreciation from Maoris throughout the country, and they expressed a wish that tnese should also apply to the late Sir Maui Pomare. Other Tributes. Mr M. J. Savage said that in all his political battles. Sir Joseph Ward had always had a happy knack of bringing in a personal touch that left no sting behind. He had left a record that would be hard for those following him to emulate. Sir Joseph Ward could aptly be described as a man among men. He was an institution, and his passing had left a gap in the ranks of the country that would be hard to fill. Mr H. M. Rushworth said he had been deputed by the independent members of the House to add their tribute. It must have been an experience for all new members to come in contact with Sir Joseph Ward, and find that such a great statesman was at the same time such a kindly and courteous friend. Mr E. J. Howard said he felt it his 1 duty to place on record the appreciation of the people of Christchurch, and especially of old age pensioners, for the work of the deceased statesman. The Hon. H. Atmore also paid tribute to Sir Joseph’s Ward’s work in connection with the old age pension scheme, and his help in other directions. An ) officer of the Salvation Army had told Mr Atmore that the late Prime Minister had been one of its greatest benefactors. His ability had been so undoubted that he had become one of the j greatest leaders in the commercial world, at the same time as he was one of the leaders ef the people Mr G. C. Black, as the youngest member of the House, expressed the appreciation of young New Zealanders for the work of the late Sir Joseph Ward, who had always looked at matters affecting public service as one who had gone through the mill himself.

Mr P. Fraser said he felt he was voicing the opinion of all the people of Wellington, when he expressed deepest regret at the passing of Sir Joseph Ward, who had spent so much time in the capital city during his career that j Wellington people had come to regard ! him as a fellow citizen. Mr Fraser j added that he thought the last year of | Sir Joseph WanTs life would always be , remembered for his wonderful and 1 courageous struggle against the ravages { of disease attacking a weakened body. The motion was then adopted. * Replying to the Hon. J. G. Coates, *■ the Hon. G. W. Forbes outlined the arrangements for the funeral. He said Sir Joseph Ward had expressed a wish that he should be buried in the Bluff ] cemetery, where his wife rested. The House adjourned at 3.30 till 2.30 i on Tuesday next, as a mark of respect ) for the memory of Sir Joseph Ward. , THE NEW BARONET. TITLE PASSES TO MR CYRIL WARD, OF CHRISTCHURCH. Mr C. R. J .Ward,, eldest son of the late Sir Joseph, and now Sir Cyril . Ward, was born at Bluff, and educated at the Bluff public school, at later at St. Patrick’s College, Wellington: After leaving school, he started a newspaper career with the “New Zealand Times.” He left that after a short while, and joined J. G. Ward and Co., at Invercargill, where he remained for some years in the mercantile business. Then he went to England, and for four years was in Manchester with the Manchester Canal Co. He returned to New Zealand as its representative. Then he joined J. G. Ward and Co., and remained there for a few more years. In 1913 he went to Christchurch to the firm of Kinsey and Co., of which he is now a member. He is ViceConsul for Belgium in Christchurch. Sir Cyril’s sporting interest is golf. He has been president of the Harewood Club, and a champion of that club. Now he is on the committee of the Shirley Club, and is its handicapper. The Ancient Order of Frothblowers was introduced into New Zeaalnd largely through Sir Cyril’s efforts. He is now a Grand Typhoon—one of the highest ranks among Frothblowers. because there are said to be only 11 Grand Typhoons in the world. Sir Cyril’s eldest son is Mr J. G. D. Ward, law clerk, secretary to the Christchurch Law Students’ Society, and chairman of the Canterbury College Fencing Club.

SERVICE TO DOMINION. LORD BLEDISLOE’S TRIBUTE. Reference to the retirement of Sir Joseph Ward was made by the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, in an address on the day following the announcement of resignation: “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, bo early in my duties as Governor-General. throws a measure of responsibility on my shoulders—l feel confident that no 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.” Engagements Cancelled. His Excellency, the Governor-General, has cancelled engagements to attend the races and the Rugby match, and all other engagements of a purely social character, until after the funeral of Sir Joseph Ward. LONG AND DISTINGUISHED RECORD. TRIBUTES BY SOUTH CANTERBURY MEMBERS. The following tributes to the late Sir Joseph Ward were paid by South Canterbury Members of Parliament: Mr J. Bitchener (M.P. for Waitaki) said that the deceased statesman would long be remembered as one of their greatest Imperialists. He had left an indelible mark on the country, which he had served for so long, and his works would live after him. Although politically opposed to Sir Joseph. Mr Bitchener said he appreciated Sir Joseph’s friendship to the full, and he deeply regretted his passing.

Mr T. D. Burnett (M.P. for Temuka) recalled that he first met Sir Joseph in September, 1910, at the time when the subdivision of the Mackenzie Country was a burning question. He made a special trip across the wastes of the Tasman riverbed in order to place before Sir Joseph his views regarding the question of security of tenure for high country sheepmen. He found Sir Joseph the soul of honour, and a man of charming personality. Even at that time he wondered at his great grasp of affairs. Since then, inside the House and outside, although on opposite sides of politics, he had always recognised Sir Joseph Ward as one of the big men of New Zealand, possessing broad views. They also

remembered his great Imperialism, as instanced by the spontaniety of his gift of a cruiser to Great Britain. That act did more to strengthen ties of Empire between New’ Zealand and the Home Country than any other single act prior to that. The Rev. Clyde Carr (M.P. for Timaru) said: “The late Sir Joseph Ward was a nation builder and an Empire builder whose work and influence extended beyond the Dominion and even the British Commonwealth. He will be remembered thus and celebrated as long as constructive statesmanship and the ideals of world citizenship are esteemed.” “ONE OF THE MEN OF THE EMPIRE.” TIMARU TRIBUTE TO DECEASED STATESMEN. “The death of Sir Joseph Ward,” said Mr James Craigie, “removes from the public life of the country a man whose career has been little less than a romance. Beginning life in a humble i capacity in the public service, by grit l and perseverance he rose to the l highest position in the gift of his country. His activities in public life 1 extended beyond the shores of New Zealand: he was rightly regarded as ■ one of the men of the Empire, and his i patriotism was never questioned. He | was recognised throughout the Empire | as a patriotic statesman, and a fervent | lover of the British Constitution. Before I entered the House Sir Joseph accomplished a great and far-reacning j work in placing on the Statute Book the State Advances Act. which in my ooinion was one of the most democratic and beneficial measures ever 1 enacted in connection with the I advance of New Zealand. Since then i the operations of the measure have i been extended to colossal proportions and have contributed greatly to the increase of production and the advancement of New Zealand. My sincere sympathy goes out to the members of the bereaved family, who ! were deeply attached to their disilnguished father, and their loss Is irreparable. I “There will be no discordant note in the tribute that will be paid by all j sections of the community to Sir ; Joseph Ward,” said Mr F. J. Rolleston. i "As a Minister of the Crow’n for mors ! than a quarter of a century, he holds a unique record amongst the public men of this country- He has always given of his best to his fellow citizens, and the occasion of his retirement from public life a few weeks ago called forth a tribute of praise such as has rarely fallen to the lot of any public man. I wish to-day to strike a personal note, and to say that on the many occasions when I had the pleasure of meeting him in the last Parliament, both privately and on public business, he was courteous and kindly to a degree; and I shall always recall with pleasure the many Interesting talks I had with him. His death removes from our midst a well-known and historic figure, and the sympathy of everyone will go out to the members of his family.” t NEW SOOTH WALES’S SYMPATHY. By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, July 8. “On behalf of the New South Wales Government, I desire to extend to the New Zealand Government and the people of this Dominion, our deepest sympathy in the death of Sir Joseph Ward,” said the Hon. F. S. Boyce, K.C., Attorney-General of New South Wales, who arrived from Sydney to-day. “Your country has suffered the loss of a great statesman, who was held In high esteem in the Commonwealth.” Mr Boyce said he would like to attend the funeral, but he was making a very brief \isit to the Dominior. As he was obliged to join the steamer for Sydney at an early date, It would be Impossible for him to go south.