LABOUR STALWART.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 152, 30 June 1939, Page 9

LABOUR STALWART.

LATE MR. E. J. HOWARD.

HOUSE PAYS HICH TRIBUTES

(By Telegraph.— Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Tributes to the services of the late Mr. E. .7. Howard, Chairman of Committee* in the Parliament, to New Zealand were paid when the House met to-day. The Acting Leader of the House, Mr. Fraser, said his career had been remarkable and he had endeared himself to everybody who knew him. His life had been devoted to the service and uplift of his Manv who had served with Mr. Howard in

! the Labour movement for many years had had an opportunity of seeing his many sided qualities. As a journalist he had contributed much to New Zealand newspapers, and his weekly article in the "Auckland Star" or "Star-Sun - ' was read and enjoyed by a large circle of readers. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Hamilton, said Mr. Howard was a stalwart of the Labour party, loyal to the cause and faithful to the end. As Chairman of Committees he had been respected by all sides of the House. Mr. R. M. Macfarlane (Government. Christchurch South), who succeeds Mr. Howard, made his maiden speech in paying tribute to Mr. Howard's services. Reference to the services given to their country by three former Ministers, Sir Thomas" Wilford, the Hon. A. D. McLeod, «*~i~Mr. T. Buxton, were made, and were paid to their memory. Sir Thomas Wilford was Minister of Justice in the National Cabinet during the war period, and was afterwards High Commissioner. Throughout his Parliamentary career he represented Hutt. Mr. McLeod held a number of portfolios in the Massey Cabinet, including Lands. After the death of Sir Walter Buchanan he represented Wairarapa. Mr. Buxton held Ministerial rank in the Mackenzie Cabinet in 1912.

Tributes were also paid to former members of the House of Representatives whose deaths had been announced during the recess. They were Messrs. Taite Te Tomo (Western Maori). R. Mitchell (Wellington), J. W. Kelly, who represented Invercargill for nine years; W. W. Tanner and Dr. H. T. J. Thacker, both of Christchurch.