THE SOVEREIGN WILL.

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 17, 27 December 1919, Page 3

THE SOVEREIGN WILL.

And a Political Tragedy

EASILY the most astounding thing that happened during the recent election was the defeat of Sir Joseph Ward and his consequent, if temporary, removal from New Zealand politics. Pos>sibly the reception of this news in this, the largest city in New Zealand, would be a representative indication of its reception elsewhere, and people on all sides of politics were genuinely surprised and disappointed.

It is not a question of the great leader being defeated by Mr. Hamilton, or by anybody else. It is a question of the removal of ono of the most thoughtful, energetic, and

skilled statesmen that this country or Australia have ever had. Sir Joseph Ward has for all the years he has been in Parliament been a brilliant advocate for this country. He has been persona grata not only with the great statesmen of the Old Country and with its peoples, but with the statesmen and people of other British dominions and foreign countries. . "

His total withdrawal from public life while he still retains his splendid faculties is a great misfortune, and although he may himself, after so strenuous a. ptiblic life, be glad to rest, his sense of duty is so keen that he will feel "like a square peg in a round hole."

Sir Joseph Ward lias been of incalculable service to New Zealand in many ways, but particularly for his masterly grasp of great financial questions. He was the most brilliant Postmaster-General the country has ever had, and one of the most brilliant in British hjstory. His natural savo'ir faire and ease of manner particularly fitted him for the high offices he has held, and he was for a long period the honoured and most successful Premier of this country.

Sir Joseph Ward has been on many missions of the utmost delicacy to tho Old Country, and has been better known there than any other colonial statesman, excluding perhapseMr. Hughes and General Jan Smuts. It is seen that although the Liberals are defeated in the matter of seats the national vote against "Reform" shows a large majority—the fact therefore being that there is still a larger adherence to the party Sir Joseph represented than the party led by the Prime Minister.

The question of selecting a leader of this great party, representing as he must do the great body of adherents, will be one of the gravest moment, the successor to the brilliant statesman having "a hard row to hoe" to follow in the footsteps of so eminent a personage. The personal liking of the people through-, out New Zealand of Sir Joseph Ward will be a solace to him. He has the respect and esteem of the country— the most valuable possession any public man could wish for.

The feat of beating him in his own territory will, one may hope, inspire the gentleman who defeated him to great endeavours for the people of New Zealand, for Mr. Hamilton has, of course, immediately jumped into fame by the eminence of his opponent. The defeated leader has taken his defeat as a true sport and a gallant gentleman would do.