CANADA'S CHIEFTAIN PASSES.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 63, 14 March 1919, Page 8

CANADA'S CHIEFTAIN PASSES.

'HISTORICAL EMPIRE FIGURE. VANCOUVER, February 17. All Canada was shocked deeply and grieved beyond measure at the sad news of the demise of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who practically passed away in political harne.s. His sudden and lamented death removed a great and historic figure from Canadian public life and a most distinguished and commanding personality from the delibeiations of Parliament, which was almost on the eve of assembling when his unexpected end came as a thunderbolt to the nation which adored the Chieftain of the Dominion. Sir Wilfrid Laurier was a man of intelligent gifts and rare personal charm, with a singularly attraethe winsomcness of disposition an.i manner which endeanil him to countless admirers throughout the Dominion of Canada and made warm personal friends of strong political opponents.

| His long political experience, the prestige of high ollice of Prime Minister which he held for so many years, his authority and influence as leader of the Opposition, with his wide knowledge of afLiirs and his great oratorical gifts, made him a conspicuous and outstanding figure in the House of Commons, where he was always heard with the deepest interest and attention. A certain stateliness of bearing ami a dignified courtesy belonging to a generation now almost passed away, added to the attraction which he had for those who knew hini or were brought into contact witli him.

Sir Wilfrid, leader of the Liberal party of Canada lor many years, died at hi* niansion on I—uirici* Avenue, in Ottawa, ilenth being due to paralysis, which first attacked him as he was dressing for church on Sunday morning, February Hi. There was a slight rally, but he lapsed into uncoiiscion-ncsH about midnight, and it was recognised that his end was but a matter of a tew hours. About noon on February 17 a marked weakening ol" the pulse was noticed, and the attending physician diclarcd tli.it it was only the distinguished patient's great vitality which kept him alive so long 'after the paralytic seizure. At 2..">0 in the afternoon he passed away. Lady Laurier being at the bedside at the time. Sir Wilfrid's collapse was sudden. Cntil the moment of the stroke, he had seemed in his usual health, and on the Saturday bad attended a Canadian Club luncheon in Ottawa, going later to his office and remaining until live o'clock. So well did be led at that time that he went home in a .-treet car instead of his motor-car. There is little doubt that the strain of the previous few weeks told heavily on Sir Wilfrid's strength. Anxious to play his full part in the session that was to open on February 20, the aged statesman had not spared 'himself. He had worked bird, too, in 'connection with the recent Liberal contention in Ontario. Indeed, it was ut tb-' Kasteiti Ontario convention in .limit iry that lie made his last public appe.it a nee.

lie spoke lor almost an hour ;uiil there »»- no sign of imminent collapse. His voice was strong and there was every evidence of mental vigour. "If 1 have but i ne regret."' he then declared, "it is t.-.i.t 1 am not twenty years younger that I might throw more vigour into tne fu.h*.. Our horizon is broadening. Lv ry man must do his pint."

'lhe death of Sir Wilfrid plunged tne Liberal party into confusion, as they iv cognised that they possessed no man in their n.iiks approaching the dead c!i. :f i.tin f'i fighting power, and as the >esri.n was expected to be one of, the nit teres); on record, rind the "cnormit'.'>" of tie I.nion Government were io l.c freely ventilated in Parliament, tne l-hcra's were somewhat nonplussed to nt-.ire sny kind of a leader who might handle the delicate situation that, has developed in Canadian national politics in this after-the-w.ir periotl of reconstruction. The Don. William Martin, Premier of Saskatchewan, is the favourite for the leadership.