SIR JOSEPH WARD MAY LEAD UNITED POLITICAL PARTY

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18547, 22 August 1928, Page 1

SIR JOSEPH WARD MAY LEAD UNITED POLITICAL PARTY

WILL CONFER WITH REPRESENTATIVES UPON RETURN TO DOMINION

(United Press Assn.--—By Electric . - Telegraph.—Copyright..) (Received • August 22, 9.10 a‘.m.) ;VANCOUVER. August 21. Sir Joseph Ward has reaffirmed a .statement made, in Winnipeg that he has been requested- at the instance of fifty , representative members of- * the United; Party of New Zealand,' assume", its leadership. ' ' ' Tile 4 "e'x-Prune Minister sails fori New Zealand tO-rilbrfbw"

lie stated that he would confer with party representatives on his arrival.-. In an interview Sir Joseph Ward said that the United Party’s invitation was contained in a cable received before he reached Winnipeg. Obviously it would not be fitting to accept yet. Upon his arrival he would be met. by fifty candidates and would give his answer. Tie had so informed them by cable. ’ Sir Joseph Ward received no communication fr.om the leaders of the party. lie intimated-that a section of the party opposed his leadership. The situation was the result of a political skirmish. lie had not invited the offer. Sir Joseph Ward was of the opinion that .it would be a long time before the dream of Empire trade unity, pictured by British statesmen, would be realised. Only by building and maintaining reciprocal trade within the Empire would the Commonwealth be unified.—Australian Press Association.