Parliament SERVICE TO STATE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 234, 1 July 1939, Page 12

Parliament SERVICE TO STATE

Tributes To Deceased Legislators WORK FOR COUNTRY Sympathetic References By Members Tributes to legislators and former legislators whose deaths had occurred since the last session of Parliament were paid in the blouse of Representatives yesterday. Resolutions were carried recording appreciation of their services and the sympathy of the House with their relatives. These were moved by the Acting-Leader of the House, Mr. Fraser, and seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. ; Hamilton, or one of his colleagues. Those to whom reference was made were Mr. E. J. Howard, the Hon. A. D. McLeod, Sir Thomas Wilford, Mr. Taite Te Tomo, Mr. T. Buxton, Dr. H, T. J. Thacker, Colonel G. Mitchell, Mr. W. W.Tanner, Mr. J. W. Kelly, and Mr. D. T. Fleming. After sympathetic references the Flouse adjourned at 4.55 p.m. till Tuesday as a mark of respect to their memory.

Mr. Fraser referred to Mr. Howard’s early service in the rlavy, to his prospecting experience iii i Central Australia, and to the long service given to the Labour movement in Christchurch and in local and national politics, as well as in many other directions. Those, he said, were the mere outlines of a useful and beneficial life dqvoted to the service of his fellow men. The death, of Mr. Howard had come as a great blow to the older members of the House, particularly to those with whom he had been associated before he entered the House.

“Many of us served with Mr. Howard in the Labour movement,” Mr. Fraser said, “and we had opportunities of seeing his many-sided qualities and unique abilities in a variety of situations, and. throughout, whatever difficulties had to be confronted, he maintained a cheerfulness that triumphed over all obstacles. For those in trouble he had an unostentatious sympathy in which there was a wealth of sincerity, and he went to, his last rest with his faith in the Labour movement undimmed and his hope as high as ever.”

Mr. Hamilton, who said he entered the House at the same as Mr. Howard, said the latter had always done his duty faithfully and well for those for whom he ' fought. He had been an able man, as his record in hublie life amply demonstrated. • “In the last letter Teddy Howard wrote to me shortly before he died,” said Mr. Lee (Government, Grey Lynn), “he showed that right to the end he was an ardent Socialist. He was a rebel against the constituted society, and his last letter expressed a .'burning desire that'during the present Parliament the Government should be fortunate enough to go ahead with the complete socialization of the banking system. He was an ardent crusader until the last.”

Jlr. Coates (Opposition, Kaipara), who said he had never met a straighter or more level-headed man than M'r. Howard, said he had left a lustre around the position of Chairman of Committees that should be a help to those who followed him. The Late Mr. McLeod. Referring to Mr. McLeod, Mr. Fraser said all who knew him were impressed by his manly character, his straightforward nature, and his indomitable courage in fighting for .principles in which he believed. He was a staunch fighter in the ranks of the party to which he belonged, and for many years was higli in the counsels of that party when it was at its zenith. Mr. McLeod enjoyed the respect of his political op-' ponente, and discharged the duties of his office with distinction. Mr. Hamilton said that Mr. McLeod had a record of which any New Zealander might be proud. He had made a valuable contribution to the general welfare of' the country. Mr. McLeod had’no doubt shortened his life by his work for the public. Mr. Coates said that Mr. McLeod was a comrade under all and every circumstance. He was a loyal colleague and had left a record behind him that anyone might envy. Sir Thomas Wilford. "He was not only a prominent Wellington and district figure, but also a national figure, and in some respects even an international one,” said Mr. Fraser, in respect of the late Sir Tliomas Wilford. He had been a member of Parliament from 1899 to 1929, and had been Father of the House during the latter years of his 30-year membership of it. The men who earned a living on the waterfront, the Minister said, were grateful for the thoughtful action of Sir Thomas when Minister of Marine in the National Government in setting up a commission to inquire into the safety of the gear for working cargo on wharves and ships. As a result the safety of life on the waterfront had been greatly increased. ... “The country has lost a famous son and a most conspicuous citizen," Mr. Fraser saljl. Seconding the motion, Sir Alfred Ransom (Opposition, Pahiatua) said Sir Thomas was one of New Zealand’s outstanding sons because of the many positions he had occupied. “There are few men we can think of whose versatility was greater/’ Sir Alfred said. “Sir Thomas was one of the ablest High Commissioners this country has had. He has been able to show what can be done by a man of enterprise and initiative and by one willing to give his service in the interests of the country.” . 'Mr. Forbes (Opposition, Hurunul) referred to the great interest of Sir Thomas in international affairs, to hie wide reading and hard work, and said lie did not think anyone New Zealand had had representing It in London bad been appreciated so much as Sir Thomas had. Mr. Forbes recalled that be had been in the gallery when Sir Thomas made his maiden speech in the House. -The Attorney-General, Mr. Mason, described Sir Thomas as a powerful advocate in the courts of justice, unexcelled in his line and equalled by very few.

Other speakers were Mr, Hamilton, Mr. Combs (Government, Wellington • s .Suburbs) and Mr. Carr (Government, g/ Timaru). “His record of public service, partlcu-

larly in the interests of education, was wonderful indeed,” said Mr. Purser in referring to tile late Colonel George Mitchell. He was a very prominent citizen of Wellington and had accomplished work for education which would remain as a fitting monument to bis memory. As a member of the War Relief Council he bad also shown the same conscientious consideration for and sympathy in the many cases for relief which came before his notice. Mr. Hamilton said Colonel Mitchell would also be remembered for sponsoring the Bill known as Auzac through Parliament.

TERRITORIAL FORCE

Reasons For Limitation Sought

The reasons of the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, for fixing the maximum number of the Territorial Force at 16,000 men were sought by Mr. Macdonald (Opposition, Mataura) in a question of which he gave notice in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Macdonald also intends to ask the Minister whether, in view of the-changed and critical international situation, particularly in the Far East, he does not now think that it would be better to make assurance doubly sure by training all persons of suitable age.

RAVAGES OF WHITE ANT

Investigation Suggested

A suggestion that the Government should investigate the position concerning the ravages of the Australian white ant and if necessary make available to home-owners loans for the purpose of treating the timber and eradicating the pest, was contained in a question of which Mr. Osborne (Government, Onehunga) gave notice in the House of Representatives yesterday.

The Imprest, Supply Bill was put through all stages in the Legislative Council yesterday.