SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12581, 30 September 1908, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Presentation by Liberal

Members

(Por United Press Association). WELLINGTON, September 29. At the usual dinner adjournment this evening, the members of the Liberal Party in the House of Representatives assembled iv the Legislative Council to make a presentation of a pair of handsome silver candelabra to Sir Joseph Ward on the occasiou of his 21st political anniversary in the House. Mr Hornsby, who was in the chair, congratulated Sir Joseph Ward on the completion of his twenty-first political anniversary, and wished he might have many happy future anniversaries, if he wished to remain in the hurly-burly of political life. He referred eloquently to the courtesy and chivalry which had always characterised the actions of Sir Joseph. They desired to offer, not merely with the feelings of followers, but with the esteem of friends, the candelabra before him as a sign of their admiration. In regard to these candelabra, they were emblematic of Sir Joseph Ward's career. At the base were steps showing how he had risen up the political ladder, then rose a pillar of strength, and then branches spreading out holding lights, emblematic of services. Mr Hornsby then presented the candelabra and read the following address: — Wellington, New Zealand, 26th September, 1908. To the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G., LL.D., Prime Minister of the Dominion of New Zealand. Right Honourable Sir, — To-day, under the happiest auspices, namely, the celebration by the people of New Zealand of the first anniversary of their Dominion Day, you complete your twenty-first year of Parliamentary life, and now occupy the position of leader of the Liberal Party and holder of the highest office in the gift of the people. We feel that we should not allow the opportunity to pass without giving- expression to the respect and esteem in which we hold you as a man, and the confidence we have in you as our leader. We therefore ask you to accept a tangible token of our regard. During the 21 years you have been in Parliament you have served the people of New Zealand in the highest sense of the term, and you have won your way, step by step, until to-day you stand the worthy successor of the great Liberal statesmen of the past. We wish you and Lady Ward, together with the other members of your family, continued health and happiness, and we trust that you may live to see the fruition of those hopes which we know have sustained you in all that you have done in the past — hopes which we believe will inspire you in what you may yet be enabled to do for New Zealand and her people. The presentation, which takes the form of two handsome silver candelabra, i» inscribed as under: — "1887 souvenir 1908, presented by the members of the Liberal Party in the House of Representatives to the Right Honourable Sir Joseph G. Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G., LL.D., Prime Minister of this Dominion, to celebrate the completion by him of 21 years of political life in New Zealand. Kia Ora Aroha." Sir W. J. Steward, as the oldest member of the Parliament of New Zealand, said he was honoured to congratulate the Prime Minister upon his distinguished career, upon the able manner in which he had represented the Dominion in Europe and in Australia, and upon the honours conferred upon him by the King in calling him to the Privy Council, and conferring upon him the insignia of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George. Messrs Lawry, Poland, and Parata (on behalf of the native race) also spoke. Sir Joseph Ward, who was received with long applause, thanked them from the bottom of his heart for what they had done. It was too much for a public man to go through life in a very prominent position without meeting sometimes deservedly with opposition, but all the more must such an one appreciate deeply the action of members in doing what the members of the Liberal Party were doing on this occasion. Sir Joseph went on to refer to the great changes in the House in the -past 21 years, and said he hoped that in the years to come people would be able to credit members of the present House with conscientious endeavours to do their best for the country. Accordingly he thanked Sir Wm. Steward and Messrs Lawry, -Poland, and Parata for their kindly references' to himself and family, and felt sure that his family would deeply appreciate the honour done to him.