Chairman’s Tribute To Work Of Mr Hayman

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29713, 5 January 1962, Page 10

Chairman’s Tribute To Work Of Mr Hayman

“The Press’" Special Service

OAMARU, January 4. “Mr Hayman's sudden passing has profoundly shocked and saddened the whole community of North Otago and South Canterbury,” said Mr J. D. McIlraith, electorate chairman of the National Party for the Weitaki electorate, in referring to the death of Mr T. L. Hayman. Minister of Agriculture and member of Parliament for Waitaki. “He was affectionately known well beyond the boundaries of our electorate, but those of us who have worked with and for him know that we have lost a great and true friend. It was a privilege to be associated with him and a real tonic to experience his happy, confident and philosophic nature. “He was ‘Tom’ to most people even if they had never personally met him. Such was the close place he had won in the regard of his fellow men. “Some of the greatest thrills in Mr Hayman's political life were the spontaneous and sincere congratulatory telephone calls he received from leading Labour Party officials every election night. They admired him as a man and had confidence in him as their member in spite of their difference in political beliefs The constant increase, elec-

tion by election, in Mr Hayman's majority indicated the trust people had in him. It was also an expression of appreciation of his ever sympathetic attention to their personal problems and of the gracious and tireless work of Mrs Hayman in hi* support. “Mr Hayman's appointment to Cabinet a little more than a year ago was a great thrill, but no surprise, to all who knew him well and valued his capabilities" said Mr McIlratth. “It was not merely a reward for service: it was not recognition of ability developed over many years in the hard world of farming, business, local body and political work. He brought to his Ministerial work a most practical outlook. He was always impatient with pretence and humbug and this forthrightness was what appealed to people of all political parties.

“Entry into Parliament, in Mr Hayman's case, meant real sacrifice for himself and for Mrs Hayman and their family. He never spared himself and in recent year* hi* family seldom saw him. There is little doubt that the strain of long hours of work, week in and week out. since his appointment to Cabinet must have taken their toll, yet he enjoyed it all. being essentially an idealist and a real servant of the people.”