The Waikato Times With which Is. Incorporated The Waikato Argus. TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1930. AN IMPERIAL STATESMAN.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18066, 8 July 1930, Page 6

The Waikato Times With which Is. Incorporated The Waikato Argus. TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1930. AN IMPERIAL STATESMAN.

New Zealand to-day mourns the passing of one of her greatest servants, Sir Joseph Ward, a man who although not New Zealand born, arrived in the Dominion at an early age and devoted the rest of his life to her service. Born of good but comparatively humble stock he made his way through life from telegraph messenger boy to Premier of New Zealand and international diplomat unaided by influential friends. Through dogged grit, force of character, broad vision and sanguine spirit, he overcame all obstacles to reach success. When a young man embarks in business on his own account in his teens and becomes Mayor of his town shortly after he had attained his majority, no . prophetic gift is required to foretell a future rich in achievement and that this fell to Sir Joseph’s share in full measure, his proud record shows. From the humble seat on a Borough Council he reached the table of Ambassadors to deliberate on the destinies of nations, and the welfare of peoples the world over. Of the many distinguished statesmen of the past 50 years there are few whose achievements cover such a wide range of activity as those that must be credited to Sir Joseph. New Zealand has been fortunate in the fine character of its leading public men from the days of its earliest settlement, but among the strong figures of the past few have been animated by the Imperial spirit in so marked a degree as Sir Joseph Ward, who played such a conspicuous part in Empire Councils. As a member of the Imperial War Council he gave proof of his great sagacity and his grip of international and imperial affairs as they most directly affected the Empire. Through his efforts and his far-sightedness, he was instrumental, not without meeting most serious opposition, in having the battleship New Zealand built at the Dominion’s expense and presented to Britain in 1911. This was but one illustration of Sir Joseph’s strange premonition of what was to come three short years later, in 1911 also, at an Imperial Conference he proposed the establishment of an Empire Parliament or Council to deal specially with international matters, lie felt that, as the whole Empire was concerned in any question of war

or peace, the Dominions should have a voice in deciding such issues, and should also have a more definite duty of co-operation. Migration within the Empire was another subject that he considered should De discussed by an Imperial Council. His proposal received no support in the conference, and he withdrew it. Unsupported in 1911 how forcibly correct have Sir Joseph’s contentions proved since when each unit of the British Commonwealth of Nations Is called upon to voice its opinion when an event of importance to the Empire is under discussion I The men he met at the conference tables had for the most part been trained in great schools and universities. Sir Joseph’s training was the public elementary school' and the world' of affairs, in which, by his own exertions, he acquired the knowledge and readiness that enabled him to debate great issues with these men favoured by high education. The seed of self-education gave him harvests of achievements, theoretical and material. Sir Joseph’s record in Dominion affairs is such as to mark him as one of the makers of a new nation evolving to take its place in Empire partnership. He was in great measure responsible for some of the legislation in which New Zealand sets a standard to the world to-day. Out of the many great reforms Sir Joseph was associated with, it is mete to mention the inauguration of the penny post, the establishment of the Advances to Settlers Department, the Public Health Act, Railways superannuation, Public Debt Sinking Fund, Hydro-electric Policy and State Fire Insurance. Remembrance of this remarkable public career extending over a period of more than 40 years cannot fail to impress one with the tenacity, foresight, prescience and resolution which have made these achievements possible, and found Sir Joseph Ward at the age of 74 guiding New Zealand until just before his death. He died full of year’s, each year since the teens devoted unflaggingly to the service of his country, to its betterment, and to its increasing renown. He died as one secure in the affection of a grateful nation, respected and looked up to at home and abroad.