Demands On Politicians

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31304, 25 February 1967, Page 1

Demands On Politicians

It was high time that as a nation New Zealand took stock of its collective responsibility and guilt in making unreasonable demands on its politicians, especially Cabinet Ministers, of whatever party, said the former Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt Rev. A. K. Warren) yesterday. He was giving the address at a funeral service for the Minister of Finance (Mr Lake) in Christchurch Cathedral.

“We ought to be prepared to be charitable in our thinking and speaking, and change our attitude to honour those o-i whom so often only with lip service is conferred the title of Honourable,” Bishop Warren said. "I believe that the Honourable Harry Lake lived doing justly, loving mercy and walking humbly before his God,” he said. Traffic in Cathedral square was stilled as traffic officers diverted motorists. Black limousines brought the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake), Cabinet Ministers, Opposition and Government members of Par’iament,. and other civic and diplomatic representatives to the service.

A funeral procession more than half a mile long drove

away from the Cathedral and hundreds of people crowded the Square. The cortege travelled to the Christchurch Memorial Garden Crematorium in Johns road where there was a brief committal service.

As well as the Prime Minister. other Ministers included: the deputy Prime Minister (Mr Marshall), the Minister of Works (Mr Allen), the At-torney-General (Mr Hanan), the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand), the Minister of Education (Mr Kinsella), the Minister of Customs (Mr Shelton), the Minister of Marine (Mr Scott), the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath), the Minister of Transport (Mr Gordon), the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Taiboys), the Minister of Housing (Mr Rae) and the Minister of Tourism (Mr Muldoon).

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk), the president of the New Zealand Labour Party (Mr N. V. Douglas), Mr H. Watt, the Deputy Leader

of the Opposition, and Mr H. L. J. May, chief Opposition whip, were also present. Included in the wide representation of M.P.s from both sides of the House were Messrs W. A. Brown, R. J. Talbot, C. C. A. McLachlan, H. L. Pickering, A. McCready, H. J. Walker, Sir Leslie Munro, and Messrs P. Blanchfield, M. A. Connelly, R. M. Macfarlane, A. J. Faulkner, J. Mathison and Miss M. B. Howard. Three former Cabinet Ministers were also present— Messrs J. K. McAlpine, R. G, Gerard and E. H. Halstead.

Wing Commander W. G. Hughes, chief staff officer to the air officer commanding Training Group, Wigram, represented the Governor-Gen-eral (Sir Bernard Fergusson). The United Kingdom High Commissioner (Sir lan Maclennan) and the Belgian Ambassador (Mr L. A. Van den Berghe) represented the diplomatic corps. The service was conducted by Archdeacon S. E. Woods, and the lesson was read >y the Rev. R. A. Lowe, vicar of Fendalton. Intercessions and blessings were given by the

Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. W. A. Pyatt). In his address, Bishop Warren said Mr Lake’s business opinions were well respected because he had been a man who had learned early what integrity meant. Bishop Warren added that Mr Lake had been compassionate and kindly. He was a good listener and was generous in his self-giving in time and energy. “We all knew his health had not been good for some time, but in spite of the pleas of his party, and of ■ those closest to him, he continued to give generously of his energy in time, travel and talk,” Bishop Warren said. The availability of New Zealand politicians to their people, particularly of Cabinet Ministers, demanded almost superhuman strength. They had always to be on top of their form when they reached their destination, and had no time to relax.

Overseas conferences had no holiday aspect and were an immense strain. There were accumulated duties to attend to on return, as well as the results of the mission.