SIR FRANCIS BELL

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21733, 16 March 1936, Page 18

SIR FRANCIS BELL

TO THE EDITOR OT THE PEESB. Sir —The death of Sir Francis Bell has removed from New Zealand public life a man of outstanding character and distinctive ability. He was statesman with qualities worthy t rank among the be . st ' n n the .®^£a e t v, e politics. Sir Francis Bell adorned the nositions he occupied in private and fn public life. A man of fine physique, built in large proportions and pos sessed of a mind of crystal-hke clearness, he was not eloquent but had a way of choosing the right word m order to express himself. Some years ago I took part in a deputation before him concerning unemployment an housing. One of the speakers incidentally mentioned that the patience of men was getting exhausted and if prompt action were not taken to deal with the matters brought forward something drastic would take place. Sir Francis rose to reply in words carefully chosen, saying that no threat would ever cause him to deviate from a course of action calculated to be m the best .interests of the people. So long as he was there representing the Government and they were there stating their case, threats of any, s °rt would not influence him. If it should happen that you should ever be placed here and I am there where you stand to-day. no threat of mine would cause you to change your policy. There could be no constitutional government if it could be affected by menacing suggestions.” he said. Before the scythe of death we all stand in silence; but I wish to pay my tribute of praise to the passing of a man who stands high in personal integrity and transparent honesty of purpose, who, full of years, in a ripe old age, has fallen out of the ranks of colonial politicians. His death marks the passing of a representative of Victorian standards in private ethics and public service. The name of a party is of less consequence than what a man is in himself and the high aims with which he is governed. \ours, etc., MO SES AYRTON. Tai Tapu, March 14, 1936.