WARM EULOGIES

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 15, 12 October 1933, Page 10

WARM EULOGIES

Upper House Tributes

SEVEN MEMBERS SPEAK

Feeling tributes to the late Mr. LI. E. Holland were paid in the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon by seven members, all of whom, in praising his qualities, referred to bis tenacity of purpose, the fairness >f his tactics where differences had arisen, and the regard which all had had for his word, which had always been his bond. A motion expressing a high sense of appreciation of the service which the late Mr. Holland had rendered to New Zealand, and the sympathy of members toward bis family was passed, and, as a mark of respect, th£ Council adjourned until Wednesday next. It had been a great shock to all. said the Hon. Sir James Parr, Leader of the Council, to learn of the death of the Leader of the Opposition in dramatic and tragic circumstances. All had known him well and had liked him. For some 14 years he had been leader of his party in this country, an indication of the great faith and confidence of those whose guide he was. Ho had ever stood stoutly by his principles, and he had been a man not afraid to fight for those principles. He had always been admired for his tenacity and great fighting qualities. Sir James recalled a conversation with the late Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey in which the late Prime Minister had said'of the late Mr. Holland that he would sooner have taken his word than many another man's written bond. In private and domestic life he was a model to parents in New Zealand. In politics, even in his fiercest attacks, he had never shown malice; he had been a fair fighter. All deplored his death and offered the deepest sympathy to those he had left behind. Efforts of Government, In seconding the motion, the Hon. M. Fagan said that he had first met the late Mr. Holland over 30 years ago, and it had been his privilege to assist him to enter the Parliament of New Zealand. He referred to him as a late colleague and an old friend. Mr. Fagan expressed his sincere appreciation of the way in which the Government had risen to the occasion; it couldn’t have done more to gratify the late Mr. Holland’s family and colleagues. He also wished to express his appreciation of the attitude of the Press throughout New Zealand, with one exception, and that was Wellington’s morning paper. On behalf of those with whom he was associated, he would like to express appreciation, too, of the kindly, reverent treatment of the Maori race, whose actions bis colleagues would never forget. As the representative of the Government, the Hon. R. Masters paid tribute to the worth of the late Mr. Holland. He had built up a bond of friendship throughout the Dominion, and if everyone had not. always agreed with his views, all had been agreed upon his sincerity. He had been a man, straightforward, sincere and honest. He had been possessed of ability and could have gained more, monetarily, by following the literary profession, but he had chosen to use his powers in labouring for those whom he thought needed the greatest assistance. The Hon. W. H. Mclntyre said that Buller would never have a man to stand up for the rights of its inhabitants as Mr, Holland had done. Mr. Fagan and himself had been two of those responsible for bringing him to this country. His word had always been his bond, and he had been one whom anyone would have been proud to call his friend. The Hon. D. Buddo joined with the previous speakers in their remarks of praise, and also expressed sympathy with the late Mr. Holland’s widow and family in their great loss.

Tragic Circumstances.

The Hon. C. J. Carrington said that no death of a Parliamentarian in New Zealand had occurred in such tragic .circumstances as that of the late Mr. Holland. He referred to the splendid part taken by members of the Maori race, who had set an example to the rest of New Zealand by taking charge of and guarding the body, and later bringing it to Wellington. The Rt. Hon. Sir Francis Bell spoke of the pleasant associations with which he had had with Mr. Holland, and although they had often failed to agree, the late Mr. Holland had displayed great humour, ability and the fulfilment of the tradition of the conduct of a leader. The speaker referred to his Parliamentary conduct as the leader of a section, and t<o the manner in which ho had always upheld the traditions of both Britain and New Zealand. Bitter as many of his words had been on occasions, he had always refrained from personal attack on personal character. He could not claim the relationship of personal intimacy that others in the Council could, but he had the memory that, whatever the political differences had been, the late Mr.-Holland had always met him with personal courtesy. > The Hon. J. Trevethick endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers, and added that he had been present at the funeral of the late Maori “King” and had noticed the late Mr. Holland’s indomitable courage, even to the end.

MEMORIAL SERVICES

Ceremony at Runanga

By Telegraph.—Press Association

Greynioutii, October 11.

The Runanga Miners' Hall was crowded this aftvruoon for a memorial service to the late Mr. Holland. It was impressively conducted and the highest tributes were paid to his work for the district, the Labour movement and the country.

Speakers' included Messrs. Bowes, deputy-mayor, and Price, councillor (Runanga), Archdeacon Jermyn, Revs. Harris and Beaumont, Messrs. Greenslade, Mayor of Greymouth; McKane, chairman of the Cobdeu Town Board; Kent and McDowall, Power Board; Miller, president of the Co-operative Society; Smitherain and Johnston. Miners’ Union; and Turley, Timber Workers’ Union.

Mr. Holland's favourite hymn, “Abide With Me,” was sung and other hymns were rendered by the Runanga Band. At the conclusion “The Red Flag” was feelingly sung by the gathering.

Dunedin Gathering By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Dunedin, October 11

A largely attended memorial service to the late Mr. Holland was conducted at the Oval this afternoon, when tributes were paid to the deceased by