HOUSE ADJOURNS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 273, 31 August 1935, Page 3

HOUSE ADJOURNS

TRIBUTES TO FORMER MEMBERS.

APPRECIATION OF SERVICES

(Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, August 30.

In the House of Representatives this afternoon reference was made to former members of Parliament who had died during the recess, and motions placing on record appreciation of the services they had l'endei'ed to tire Dominion were carried. Referring to the late Mrs E. R. Mc•Combs, Mr Forbes said her death would leave a great sense of loss to those who had been associated with her in the great social work she had done practically all hen' life. She was a woman of great ability and took a great part in public life. After entering the House she earned the. respect of all members by her sincerity. There was no doubt that her passing was mourned by a large section of the people. Mr M. J. Savage said that Mrs McCombs had been in the vanguard of social reformers practically all her lite, and wherever she had been slie had left her mark. She had earned the love and esteem of those for whom she laboured. In the House, too., she had set a very high standard, which would be hard for others to emulate. Mr Forbes, speaking of the late Mr James Craigie, said Mr Cfaigie entered the House in 1908 and was very assiduous in his duties. He was a fine citizen, a very affectionate lather to his family, and had a wide circle ot close friends. . . Mr Savage said that Mr Craigie was one of the pioneers of monetary reform in New Zealand and never lost an opportunity of expressing his opinions in that direction either privately or publicly. He had most progressive ideas, and always had a warm corner in his heart for the poor. The Hon. J. Bitchenor referred to Mr Craigie’s work in Timaru, and said there was no man who had done more for South Canterbury than James Craigie. He was quite sure Timaru would .not have been anything Hue the place it was to-day if it had not been for Mr Craigie. Mr Forbes said that the late Mr y. H. Pearce also entered the House in 1908. He was a, practical farmer, and played an important part in the development of the primary industries, especially in the development of the Patea district.

Mr Savage said that Mr Pearce was one of the pioneers of New Zealand’s primary industries. Many members also spoke to motions while they were before the Hbuse, and the House adjourned at 4.20 p.m. as a. mark of respect to the memories of those referred to. The House will meet again at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, when the Address-in-Reply will be moved.