MASSEY MEMORIAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 291, 20 September 1930, Page 3

MASSEY MEMORIAL

UNVEILING CEREMONY.

TRIBUTE BY THfE GOVERNOR

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, September 19. The memorial at Point Halswell to the late Right Hon. W. F. Massey, a former Prime Minister, was the object of a large pilgrimage this afternoon, when the official unveiling ceremony was performed by the Governor-Gene-ral, Lord Bledisloe. The Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) said it was regretted that the Prime Minister, who was abroad, could not be present, also Dame Christina Massey, who was indisposed. The fact that the Prime Minister was on his way to the In 1" perial Conference recalled the debt ot gratitude that the country owed to the late Mr Massey, who had rendered valuable services, not only to New Zealand, but to the Empire, on those occasions when he attended similar conferences. His utterances at these conferences and the part he took in them were regarded as being of great value to New Zealand and the Empire. During the war Mr Massey rendered valuable service to New Zealand, and during the past-war period he was willing to set aside anything m the nature of party politics, being P l€ " pared to associate himself with other parties of the House in the restoration of this country to prosperity. The memorial was the result of contributions from private sources and from the Government. It was situated on the site of the old! military fort erected in earlier days for’ the protection o the city, and surely no more fitting resting-place than that could be found. The situation overlooked not only trie citv but the harbour, and it was one of the first points of interest that struck arrivals by water. The memorial was composed of New Zealand marble, mostly from Takaka. Lord Biedisloe’s Speech. “ Beneath our feet, on _ this lovely promontory, in sight of ships arriving from the Homeland, as well as of the capital of the Dominion which he served with unswerving fidelity and unflagging zeal, rest the human lemains of the great practical Imperialist, William Ferguson Massey, said the Governor-General. “It is not perhaps inappropriate that a place where once stood a battery to defend Wellington’s beautiful harbour should now contain the body of a statesman who, with a view to world liberty and the honour of the Empire, took so prominent a part ii* the efficient prosecution of the war and the attainment of blessings of peace. William Massey like so many men sprung from the sou and normally employed in winning a living from it in tall conditions ot weather and fluctuating fortune was a man of simplicity of life and faith, of robust courage and unquenchable hopefulness. He was a shrewd and formidable fighter but his force ot character, coupled with his sincerity and honesty of purpose, impelled a measure of confidence and respect such as surely few Parliamentary protagonists have enjoyed. From a life tjuch <s his we learn the value of subordination of self to service, the_ sinking of personal ambitions and, interests in the zeal for the public weal These aie the attributes of all statesmen who have left their mark on history, and without them no mark can hve permanently in the memory of his fellowcountrymen. It is my pleasure and nr ide now to declare tins memorial open, and at the same time to express a sincere hope that many will arise in all classes and parties m this Dominion and help in the shaping of its destinies who will peek to emulate the robust simplicity, piety and honesty ol him whom it fitly commemorates. Mr Coates’s Tribute. “We can truly say that the passing away of Mr Massey marked the loss ol a statesman and true son of the 'inti sh Empire,” said the lit. Hon. J. G. Coates, leader of the Opposition. We can speak of him as friend, as colleague and a man in whom each and every one of us had implicit faith and confidence, a man who earned the mistakes of others, who nevei whimpered, nor did he ever complain. He was a rock and anchor, and it is these characteristics that Ins colleagues today call to mind. We remember him, and I think the country will remenibei him, as a straightforward and unselfish man. He saw his duty and did it 1 was that faith which I think radiated out to the people of this country in the very darkest hours ot cur trial. Though‘the memorial was not too beautiful for the man, it was possibly the finest tribute to any single individual in the world. His example would be a guide and a lesson to men and women in the future. The speaker believed that in the heart of the people that day, whether they supported Mr Masesy’s particular form of politics 01 not, there was no man held m deepen respect than the late Mr Massey. Mi Coates thanked the Government toi the arrangements it had made m connection with the ceremony. Leader of Labour Party. “I would like to re-echo the sentiments expressed by each of the previous speakers,” said Mr H. E. Holland leader of the Labour Party. As you know, Parliament is a battleground of ideas, and on the floor of 1 aril ament Building 1 , esepecially m the Chamber of the House, men come into conflict with one another, and I think those of us Avho figured as opponents ot Mr Massey knew one side ot him probably better even than those who were his close colleagues and were in line with the policy lie advocated. AA e got to know the human side oi him. bor somewhere in The vicinity of seven years I v/as associated with him as an opponent in the House of Representatives and as leader of a party always in conflict with the policy laid down by him. My experience was that whatever arrangements we had to make with him, once his word was ( rivcn we never had any need to worry about what followed. It is fitting that he who £j|ave the better ,part of his liie to the turbulent fighting in the realm of politics should sleep his last long sleep here, surrounded by the magnificence of the hills, in view of the harbour where the sea will betimes murmur its lullabies, where all God’s wildest storms will reach.” The Right Rev. Dr. Sprott (Bishop of Wellington) led the gathering m prayer at the opening of the ceremony and gave the Benediction. The Rev. George Rudd, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, conducted the dedication service.