DEATH OF MR. J. H. ESCOTT, M.P.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2836, 29 July 1916, Page 10

DEATH OF MR. J. H. ESCOTT, M.P.

TRIBUTES IN PARLIAMENT. Mr. J., H. Escott, M.P. for Pahiatuu, who had b:sn iyiiig in n private hospital for some time dangerously ill, died yesterday, shortly atuv noun. After formal banu-zsj had been transacted, in the House of Representatives, the Wight Hon. W. F. Massey said that he regretted that it had become necessary iur him to ask honourable members to join with him in paying the usual tribute of respect to a worthy colleague and a highly respected member of the House whv Had pasted away. He would move: "That tui= House records its high sense of the laithiul services rendered to New Zealand by the late Air. J. H. Escott, member for Pahiatua, and respectfully tenders to his relatives the assurance of its sincere sympathy with them in their bereavement." Tne late llr. Escotl, said Mr. Massey, was born in 1572, at Orepuki, Southland. His father was a Crimean veteran, who took part in the storming or the heights of Alma and was present at Sehistopol. At the ago of 18 Mr. Escott canie> L« the North Island,, and settled at Woodville, where he took up farming, and was very successful. When tiie iioer War !>roko out he served in the Second New Zealand Contingent throughout the Cam-: paign. On his return hi identified hiniselt with public matters, ile was secretary of the local A. and 11.l 1 . Association, a member of the Woodville County Council, a prominent member of the larmers' Union, and of the Masonicj Order. He was elected a member in 1811, and reelected in 1911. Lust session he was chairman of the A to L Petitions Committee.

• "Sir," said Mr. Massey, "tho late Mr. Escott was a l.ian of far more than average ability and of intense application. He thoroughly understood the wants and requirements of the important district wliiclt lie represented, and us a consequence he possessed the confidence of the large majority of his constituents and of a very large section o£ the people of the country. He was a man ot high principles, a man who never deviated in the slightest from thosj political principles in which he firmly believed. , ila was a patriotic member of the Umpire, and had intimated his intention, of joining the Expeditionary Force if his health permitted it." As a member of the House for four or five years, he was well known to them all, and" they could well say that he had left many friends and not one enemy.

The Hon. G. AV. Russell said that in the .abssuce of Sir Joseph Ward'it fell to his lot to second the motion. Tho death of Mr. Escott, with its suddenness, had brought homo to them all the nearness of death, even in the most active spheres of life. Throughout all his Parliamentary career he never heard Mr. Escott use a harsh word towards those who differed from him. The deceased had left a good example to them all, and his record stood as that of a' faithful and sincore representative of his constituents. .Deceased took part in the South African war as an officer, and as soon as the present war broke out lie at once again offered his services l to the Empire. Mr. G. Forbes, as one who was opposed to the late Mr. Escott in .politic;, paid a tribute to the deceased member's niany excellent qualities. ill'. Esio'.t had earned the resp.ct of., his opponents as ' well as tliose on his own side of the House. Mr. G. It. Sykcs, the representative of the constituency adjoining that represented by' Mr. Escott, said that lie knew the late' Mr. Escott intimately, from the time that they both were Joung. The deceased had 110 desire to enter politics, but he had yielded to a papuLtr demand, with'a successful result. At the succeeding election ho was again returned, with an increased majority. Mr. 'Sykes quoted Tennyson's lines— A strong man he; * Where he fixed his heart he set his hand , To do the thing he witl'd, and bore it thro'. Mr. A. Harris also referred to the estimable qualities of the deceased member. Mr. J. l'aylie said that the quality lie admired most in Mr. Ercott was his geniality, combined as it was with genuine earnestness in everything ho took in hand. Mr. D. 11. Guthrie said that he had alwavs found Jir. Escott a true man, •whose .word was his bond. He joined in extending sympathy to his relatives. Mr. J). Huick and Mr. 0. A. Wilkinson added their tributes to the memory of their fellow member. Ths motion was affirmed, and out of respect for the late 'Mr. Escott's memory the House adjourned for the day.