THE LATE MR. MacDONALD.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 209, 1 September 1920, Page 4

THE LATE MR. MacDONALD.

The quite unexpected news of the death of the. Hon. W. D. S. M.icDonald will be received with sincere regret by all parties. It was known that he had been ill, but it was thougiit and hoped tnat he would long he spared io sflrvc the State with that useful an-i ungrudg.; ing service that characterised his Parliamentary career. Mr. Mac Donald -was not a brilliant man, 1)111 in 'both ability and character he was much above the average Parliamentary level, and his death means a serious loss to the State especially at a time when Parliament iall too weak in men of knowledge and experience. To the Liberal party thf loss will be severe, for he had server it, well, and Tiad not long been the leadei of depleted forces that are fulfilling the functions of an Opposition under difficult condition?- But we are not disposed tc emphasise the party side of this sac event, but to dwell rather upon the. value of the dead leader's services to the com munity and to express the universa regret that in these difficult days o reconstruction and stress the State hai been deprived of his counsel. He wil be remembered chiefly as an able ant untiring member of the Xationa Ministry, which steered New Zealanc through the greatest crisis in her his tory. There can be no question tha like many another public man he sacri fTced his health, and ultimately hiw lift to the strenuous service of the State Democracy is an exacting master, .; _~