NEW ZEALAND’S TRIBUTE

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27628, 7 April 1955, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND’S TRIBUTE

Resolution Passed By Parliament

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 6.

Members of the House of Representatives broke tradition today when a resolution recording their deep appreciation of Sir Winston Churchill’s outstanding and unique service to the Commonwealth was carried by acclamation. Members stood for about half a minute applauding. The resolution was moved by the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) and supported by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash). It said: “That on the occasion of the resignation of the Rt. Hon. Sir Winston Churchill from the Prime Ministership of the United Kingdom, the members of the House of Representatives desire to place on record their deep appreciation of his outstanding and, indeed, his unique service to the Commonwealth both in peace and war. Further, the members of this House record their firm belief that the example of his unfailing courage, his open-minded statesmanship, and his breadth of vision will prove of continuing inspiration, not only to the Commonwealth, but also to the world.” Moving the resolution, Mr Holland said all would share the feeling of regret at saying good-bye to a great leader of the Empire and the Commorv.ealth. Sir Winston Churchill had been a great inspiration, and could lay claim to a dozen titles to great ness, any cne of which would be ade-1 quate for an ordinary man.

During World War II Sir Winston Churchill had symbolised - Britain defying deadly odds, and had given faith, hope, and confidence to nations in those dark days. If there was one quality that could be singled out for special attention it was his patriotism, continued Mr Holland. One of his great gifts was his power to get men and women of different beliefs to work together. Mr Holland said that when he was in London he had renewed an earlier invitation to Sir Winston Churchill and Lady Churchill to visit New Zealand, and Sir Winston Churchill had said that he hoped a journey would be possible one day. Lady Churchill had also said it was her dearest wish to visit N<”v Zealand.

Mr Nash, supporting the resolution, said he knew of no man who had given more to the world and especially the British Commonwealth than Sir Winston Churchill had given between 1940 and 1945. “He provided the spark to the action that saved the world,” Mr Nash said.