LATE MR. MASSEY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 188, 11 May 1928, Page 8

LATE MR. MASSEY

REVERENT TRIBUTES TO MEMORY

ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH COMMEMORATED

PREMIER UNVEILS PORTRAIT

Sincere and reverent tributes to the memory of the late Mr. Massey were paid yesterday on the occasion of the third anniversary of his death. .In the morning a pilgrimage was made to his resting place at Point Halswell, and in the afternoon a portrait of the deceased statesman was unveiled in the assembly hall of the New Zealand Political Reform League by the Prime Minister (Right Hon. J. ,G. Coates). Both ceremonies were characterised by an impressiveness from .which ostentation was completely absent.

There was a large attendance at the gathering at which the portrait of the late Mr. Massey was unveiled. Mr. J.-J. Clark, who presided, said that the Union Jack which veiled the portrait was symbolical of all the late Mr. Massey stood for. “He was an Imperialist in every sense of the word —a man who thought of his country and his Empire before himself,” said Mr- Clark, who added that Mr. E. A. James, a life-long disciple of their late beloved leader, had conceived the idea of having the photograph hung. An Unblemished Record.

In unveiling the portrait the Prime Minister, (Right Hon. J. G. Coates) expressed the hope that the presence of the photograph of his illustrious predecessor would prove an inspiration to all those who had occasion to view it. After giving a brief record of some of the late Mr. Massey’s achievements, the Prime Minister continued: “The late Mr. Massey’s death affected, I believe, everybody in New Zealand. The people of the Dominion realised that they had lost a brilliant son, an honoured statesman, and a devotee -to the Empire. Some of his qualities were that he was manly, straightforward, and unselfish. Those who knew him knew he had contempt for anything in the nature of underhand practices. His record was unblemished. He saw his duty on every occasion and carried it out as he saw it He had firm faith in God and he. believed in the British Empire. He had an unshakable determination, and he was courageous. His virile qualities came to the surface during the Empire's hour of need and gave an inspiration which the whole country followed.” Handling Post-War Problems. "After the war,” continued the Prime Minister, “Mr. Massey showed further qualities in the handling of post-war questions. It is simple enough now -to look back, but the responsibility of bringing the country through its problems and at the same time seeing that its position, was maintained, was one that very few men would be prepared to undertake. Thanks to Mr. Massey’s' leadership, his judgment, and his guidance, New Zealand, I think, has got past most of these difficulties in a manner which redoutids not only to the credit of the late Sir. Massey, but to the credit as well of every citizen in New Zealand.” A glance at the Dominion’s Statute Book, continued Mr. Coates, would convince even those who doubted that he had had very much at heart the interests of the people of the country. The people had had his strong and abiding assistance. Those people, too, were not the rich but those who had experienced difficulties. A study of that legislation would convince anyone who was unbiased that Mr. Massey was capable of recognising the position of all and dealing with that position in a manner to his credit. As a Parliamentarian he was unrivalled. He was a fine debater, he had a keen sense of humour, and a natural gift of repartee, which he could use with advantage. Beyond. that he was a great fighter, and he did not know what defeat was. Not only was he admired and were his qualities recognised by friends, but he was held in affectionate regard by his political opponents.

Abiding Inspiration.

“Our late leader,” said the Prime Minister, “undoubtedly became an Empire figure. He was a figure that possessed the confidence of the politicians and statesmen of our Empire, and, I believe, the confidence of His Majesty the King. The opportunity has been given to few men to attain the unique position Mr. Massey attained. He was not only a great New Zealander, but he also attained a very high place in the councils of Empire.

He has left behind an abiding inspiration to our public life. Probably his greatest characteristics were an unswerving faith in the Almighty and loyalty to ’his King and Ins country. May his memory keep green amongst us. (Applause.) Nation Building. Mr. E. F. Hemingway, speaking' on behalf of the members of the Reform League in the Wanganui and Taranaki districts, said a debt was owed to the late Mr. Massey, a debt that could never be adequately repaid. “It is not too much to say,” said the speaker, “that it is to him we owe no small share of the prosperity we enjoy to-day. He guided the destinies of this country in the most trying time in its history when mistakes might have had far-reaching effects. . . Wonder is often expressed, particularly by foreigners, that the people of so small a portion of the earth’s surface as that comprised in the British Isles should hold sway over so many millions of people and so large a portion of the globe. The answer is supplied by Mr. Massey and Empire builders like him. Possessed of high ideals and undaunted courage, one who never turned his back but marched breast forward, he was the type of strong man that would help to build up any nation. “If I were to be asked to describe Mr. Massey in two words I would say he was above everything a Christian Imperialist. He revered his God, be loved his fellow men and he honoured his King. A great sociologist has told us that man has a threefold duty to perform, a duty that follows him from the cradle to the grave—a duty to his God, a duty to his country, and a duty to his fellow-men. Mr. Massey. carried out these duties to the

full. Throughout his life he set an example of true citizenship in its highest form that the youth of this country both now and in the future would do well to follow. . . We can perhaps show our regard for his memory best by closing up our ranks, presenting a solid and united front to the foe, and doing what lies in dur power to keep the flag of Reform flying. I sincerely hope that all who gaze on this photograph as they enter this hall will not forget the duty that they owe to his memory—to do all that lies in their power for the country he served and loved so well.” (Applause.) The gathering terminated with the singing of the National Anthem, following which three cheers were given for Mr. Coates.

AT POINT HALSWELL SOLEMN REMEMBRANCE Reverent pilgrimage was made to the tomb of the late Mr. Massey at Point Halswell at, 10.30 a.m. by' the Prime Minister, his colleagues, and friends and supporters of the deceased statesman. As is the practice on these occasions, no words were spoken. Representative wreaths were quietly deposited at the base of the beacon above the vault, and a solemn procession passed the casket, the entire ceremony occupying a few minutes. “In affectionate memory from the Prime Minister and his colleagues in the Cabinet,” was the inscription on the wreath deposited by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Legislative Council (Right Hou. Sir Francis Bell). Other floral tributes included those placed on the pyramid by Mr. E. A. James on behalf of the New Zealand Political Reform League, by Mrs. J. Darling, in the absence of Mrs. C. W. Earle, on behalf of the Women’s Auxiliary, and Mr. R. H. Boys, on behalf of the Junior Reform League. At the base of the casket a wreath from Dame Christina Massey was placed. Amongst those present were the Prime Minister (Right Hon. J. G. Coates), the Leader of the Legislative Council (Right Hon. Sir Francis Bell), the Postmaster-General (Hon. AV. Nosworthy), the Minister of Lands (Hon. A. D. McLeod), the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. O. J. Hawken). the Attorney-General (Hon. F. J. Rolleston), the Minister of Health (Hon. J. A. Young), the Minister of Education (Hon. R. A. Wright), and the Minister of Public Works (Hon. K. S. Williams) ; several members of the Legislature—the Hon. T. S. Weston, M.L.C., the Hon. W. Earnshaw, M.L.C., Sir John Luke, M.P., and Lady Luke, Mr. T. Forsyth, M.P., and Mr. W H. Field, M.P.; officers of the Reform organisation—Mr. J. J. Clark (chairman of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Political Reform League), Mr. E. A. James (general secretary), and Mr. S. Hurst Seager, consulting architect for the Massey memorial.