SERVICE OF MR OBRIEN

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25303, 1 October 1947, Page 8

SERVICE OF MR OBRIEN

PARLIAMENTARY TRIBUTES

HOUSE ADJOURNS FOR WEEK (PA.) WELLINGTON, September 30. The House of Representatives adjourned for a week this afternoon in respect for the memory of Mr J. O’Brien. The only business to-day was the' passing of a motion recording the House's high sense of Mr O'Brien’s distinguished service and its sympathy with his widow and relatives. The Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) said Mr O’Brien had made a lasting impression on all who met him. He ■was a man of great learning and scholarship, who never paraded the depth of his knowledge. He had many endearing characteristics and was part of the life of many members of the iiouse for many years. His honesty of purpose was admired in the House and outside and his courage and sense of humour were always evident. He expressed himself strongly, but held no animus toward any person and harboured no ill-feelings against any members, whether or not they shared his political outlook. Mr O'Brien’s Mission Mr O’Brien felt it was his mission to contribute to the achievement in New Zealand of just social economic conditions so that extremes of poverty or wealth would disappear, said Mr Fraser, but this was merely the means tn an end —the attainment of the true freedom cf the human soul. "We in this House have lost a great friend and the country has lost a great citizen,” said Mr Fraser. ’ The Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) said the House had Io - * one of its most respected members, whose friendship was greatly valued by all. The Government had lost a staunch colleague and the Labour movement one of its greatest champions. Mr O’Brien was a man who could hit hard but never used unfair tactics or struck a low blow, and his political beliefs did not affect his friendships outside the House. He had made a great contribution to the Labour laws of the country even before he entered the House or became a Cabinet Minister.

Mr Holland said Mr O’Brien bei. T ed in the ability of workers to toanage their own affairs and was responsible for the management of the “Grey River Argus,” •which, in Mr Holland’s experience always gave fair, objective reports in its news columns. Its editorial opinions were its own affair. Respect and Liking It could be said of Mr O’Brien that he was respected most by those who knev him best, and in the coal mining districts of the West Coast everyone knew and liked him, said Mr Holland. His record was one of substantial contributions to the welfare of his country. The Minister of Works (Mr R. Semple) said Mr O’Brien was one of the tireless toilers of the human race. “He was one of the handiest men I ever worked alongside in my life,” added Mr Semple. Mr C. G. Harker (Opposition, Hawke’s Bay) said it was Mr O’Brien’s spirit of Christian charity which took him to Napier to put his experience of tunnelling at the disposal of authorities in control of rescue activities at the time of the Napier earthquake. “Jim was essentially a fighter—a Coaster even though he was not born in this country,” said the Minister of Rehabilitation (Mr C. F. Skinner). “The Coast has lost a champion m Jim O’Brien.” Other members who spoke were the Minister of Finance iMr W. Nash), Mr K. J. Holyoake (Pahiatua), the Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones), Messrs D. C. Kidd (Opposition, Waimate), E. T. Tirikatene (Government, Southern Maori) and A. E. Armstrong (Government, Napier). UPPER HOUSE ADJOURNS FOR FORTNIGHT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 30. “Jim O’Brien was a man of the people—a man who came from the people and lived for the people,” said the Leader of the Legislative Council (Mr D. Wilson) when the House met to-day. Mr Wilson said Mr O’Brien was one of the early stalwarts who made a workers’ Government possible in this country and worked arduously to redress the wrongs done to the working man throughout the ages. Miss Mary Anderson (Westland) said Mr O’Brien was strong by nature and strong of spirit. He hated to see suffering and poverty, and would do anything to alleviate hardship. The Council adjourned until October 14 as a mark of respect.