Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Third or a Century.] THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1906. THE WARDITES AND THE JONESITES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXX, Issue 8494, 5 July 1906, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Third or a Century.] THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1906. THE WARDITES AND THE JONESITES.

In tho Liberal Party there are two distinct types of men, one of which is represented by the Hon. Hall-Jones and the other by Sir Joseph Ward. Hence we see, at the present time, signs of a cleavage in the ranks of this great party. The lion Hall-Jones may bo classed as belonging to the Puritan faction, and Sir Joseph Ward as one of the noble army of Epicureans. The former frequent churches and chapels, are devout and anxious for their own moral welfare and for that of the community, and the latter may be seen at race-gatherings and at social assemblies where pleasure reigns supreme.

Tho late Mr Seddon retained his hold of both of these parties in a marvellous way. His sympathies were so wide that he could, without affectation, become a welcome guest in either a Puritan or an Epicurean home. It does not, however, follow that either the. Hon. Hall-Jones or Sir Joseph Ward should possess a similar gift of adaptation. Many men feel this already, and are practically classing themselves as Wardites or Jonesites as the case may be. It is of course quite understood that the Hon. Hall-Jones is giving Sir Joseph Ward the privilege of forming a Ministry, but will Sir Joseph Ward satisfy the Jonesites ? Will he even bo able to retain the Hon. Hall-Jones as a colleague ? If he cannot secure a following of Jonesites, his tenure of office will not be very prolonged.

This cleavage is observable in all political parties. Amongst the Labour party some men are Wardites and other men are Jonesites. If we take the farmers the same division between the sheep and the goats is apparent. Practically party terms and party platforms have very little meaning at the present time. There is a feeling among all classes that in certain directions New Zea-

land has gone far enough and it is about time to call a halt and put things a little in order. The stamp of man the colony needs for a task of this kirtd is a plain Hall-Jones rather than a brilliant Joseph Ward. It cannot get the man it needs just at present, but it will stand by till it is able to obtain him. In the meantime there may be a patched-up Ministry which may answer the purpose of the colony for a while, but it cannot bo expected to last very long.

Government,