SIR J. WARD AND THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 25, 21 June 1911, Page 8

SIR J. WARD AND THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP.

"DAME RUMOUR’S LYING TONGUE.” LONDON, May 12. A London paper, the “Daily Express,” reprinted on Saturday a. paragraph published in a New Zealand weekly paper regarding a rumour that Sir Joseph Ward would become High Commissioner for New Zealand in June, instead of returning to the Dominion. It was stated that the members of Sir Joseph Ward’s family were “very much disturbed emotionally on leaving Wellington”—to such an extent that would hardly bo justified by a four months’ trip abroad. “As is well known,” the writer adds, “the Prime Minister's domicile at Wellington is Government property, and he has no private establishment. His carriages and horses had all been sold at auction, rm top of which comes the persistent rumour that Sir William Hall-

Jones' health is not satisfactory, and his term as High Commissioner expires in June. So far nothing has developed outside the bounds of bare rumour, but there is much that points to a change in the administrative head ef the London office this year, and it is contended that Sir Joseph would do well in the position." To this report Sir Joseph Ward gives an emphatic denial. In an interview on the subject Sir Joseph Ward said the report was mainly based on the faets that Lady Ward and Miss Ward displayed considerable emotion on leaving Wellington, and that he had sold his horses and carriages some time previously. The emotion shown by the ladies was due to parting with his nine-year-old son. “Most mothers and sisters," said New Zealand’s Prime Minister, “would have been guilty of it. As to the sale of my horses and carriages a couple of years ago, I disposed of them because, like many other people, I decided to substitute motor-ears.” Sir Wm. Hall-Jones, who was also seen with reference to the report, said that he never felt better in his life, and he was now a stone heavier than when he left New Zealand.