TRIBUTE TO CHURCHILL

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30511, 5 August 1964, Page 1

TRIBUTE TO CHURCHILL

/from Our Parliamentary Reporter! WELLINGTON, August 4.

No words could adequately honour Sir Winston Churchill for his lifetime of services, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) told Parliament todav.

Mr Holyoake was supporting a resolution passed by the House to mark the retirement of Sir Winston from the House of Commons last week.

“The highlight of my little life was a few hours spent with Sir Winston,” said Mr Holyoake of his meeting with the British Prime Minister in 1952.

During a visit to Chartwell, Sir Winston had told him: “Now that India has become a republic, I regard New Zealand as the brightest jewel in the British Commonwealth.”

Mr Holyoake recalled that last month he had again briefly met Sir Winston. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nordmeyer) described Sir Winston as a great Parliamentarian whose quality of service, not just the length of it, made his retirement a cause for regret.

History should record his work as the greatest contribution a man could give to his country and to the rest of the world. With applause, members passed this resolution: “That this House, having noted the retirement of Sir Winston Churchill from the United Kingdom House of Commons after 64 years of unexcelled service to Parliament, to his people and to the world, desires to place on record its gratitude for his distinguished contribution to the political life of the British Commonwealth and for his indomitable leadership throughout the Second World War, and offers to the right honourable gentleman with affection and respect its very best wishes for his future health and happiness.”