Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1941. MR T. D. BURNETT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 43, 1 December 1941, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1941. MR T. D. BURNETT.

The death of Mr Thomas David Burnett leaves South Canterbury in particular, and the Dominion in general, the poorer by the loss of a man who has been prominent in public life for many years. The fact that the constituency he represented in Parliament for so long has included in recent years half the County of Ashburton makes his passing a matter for intimate regret here, for the conscientious discharge of his duties as member led him to take a personal interest in all matters that affected Ashburton County generally and brought him into contact with people over practically the whole area. Mr Burnett won the esteem and regard of all, not because of any brilliancy of talent but because of his sterling character and lofty ideals. Of Scottish descent, he was animated through life by the national characteristics of ardent love for his country, a trait which found vent not alone in patriotic activities but also in a strenuous striving to advance the best interests of the people on the land, whom he regarded as the backbone of the nation. He had a great admiration for the pioneers, an admiration that found practical expression in many ways in South Canterbury, and he missed no opportunity of impressing upon the present generation that only by emulating them in honesty of purpose, courage under adversity, self-reliance, and faithful labour could the rightful destiny of New Zealand be accomplished. But it was not only advice and exhortation that Mr Burnett gave the community. Practical proof of the sincerity of his views was given in many ways <n which he assisted the deserving and promoted movements that enlisted his sympathy. One example of his good deeds was his gift and continued support of the Strathepna Hostel, for the training of women/in domestic duties. This was dictated* by bis conviction that one of the first needs of the times was the fostering of home life, and the obic/t of the hostel was to train assist housewives in the country, and fit them to take up their own home life later on. By both precept and exampl-e Mr Burnett was an inspiration t 8 all.