LATE BRIGADIER HARGEST

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 280, 23 August 1944, Page 6

LATE BRIGADIER HARGEST

Tributes In The House “BROUGHT HONOUR TO HIS COUNTRY” Tributes of respect to the memory of Brigadier J. Hargest, D. 5.0., M.C., V.D., member of Parliament for Awarua, were paid in the House of Representatives yesterday. Reference was made to his distinguished military career, both in the Great War aud in this war, to his courage and concern for the welfare of his men, aud‘to his valuable contribution to the public life of the country. The House adopted a resolution recording its deep appreciation of Brigadier Hargest’s public services and expressing sympathy with his widow and family. It was moved by the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, aud seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland. No other business was taken, aud the House adjourned at 4.25 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. today as a mark of respect. . , . After outlining the mam features of Brigadier Hargest’s career, the Prime Minister said that those who served in the House with him would appreciate fully what a loss bis passing was to Parliament. He was a man of humble spirit, great feeling, and strong detcrminati ;i, and was held in the highest esteem bv them all. No men could have fought more bravely or given of their best more thoroughly than those members of the House who had laid down their lives to defend the liberties of the people of this country. Brigadier .Hargest’s conspicuous courage, outstanding bravery and honourable life eudcared him to them all. Mr. Fraser recalled the promptitude with which Brigadier (then Colonel) Hargest, in company with the late Mr. Coates had come forward immediately on the outbreak of war and placed his services, ability and genius at the disposal of the Government and the country. Nothing, added the Prime Minister, could have been more spontaneous or wholehearted than his offer to serve in any capacity, civil or military, to help the country’s war effort. < Right from that moment till the minute he was killed toy a shell iu Normandy he continued to fill that promise. There had never been anything finer or more conspicuous service given by any man. Mr. Fraser also mentioned how Brigadier Hargest had come to him when there had' been difficulty in the way of his going overseas because of' his medical grading, and “difficulties that could not be overcome medically were overcome another way.” “Even at this moment I believe he would prefer to pass away as he did, rather, than to have been inactive from the military point of view in this country,” Mr. Fraser continued. “No mau sf uggled more than he did to get into the fighting line, .despite medical reports that, were adverse, but that did not deter him from his determination to serve his country with his very best.” . The Prime Minister said that Brigadier Hargest’s consideration for his men was unsurpassed. His great daring was one of the conspicuous features of his command. Mr. Fraser also related how Brigadier Hargest had come to see him immediately after he had arrived back in Cairo from Crete in June, 1.141, and would not take food or drink till every avenue had been explored to ascertain the possibility of getting the New’ Zealanders left behind off the island, lhe Prime Minister, who remarked that he doubted if anywhere in history there had been greater devotion to one’s comrades, said a few weeks ago he had again met Brigadier Hargest following bis prison experiences. Brigadier Hargest had given him a description of his meeting with Rommel when taken prisoner, of his transfer to Italy by submarine, of his experiences in a prison camp in that country, and of his wonderful escape. The hearing from Brigadier Hargest’s own lips of the story of his escape across Europe was a unique experience. “The story is one which when printed iu a book, which T understand is now in the hands of printers, will read like one of the most exciting episodes in human history,” said Mr. Fraser. The story, he added, was one of courageous men who took knives and iron bars and cut through rock. Some of them escaped, including Brigadiers Hargest and Miles, who made their way with great daring _ through Switzerland, France and Spain. Unfortunately Brigadier Miies did not survive the journey, but Brigadier Hargest reached England. One would have thought that after all this Brigadier Hargest might be excused for feeling he wanted a rest. but. after a period of recuperation he requested to be allowed to go back into the field in Italy’ or to join the invasion forces. Mr. Fraser said he could only express his own deep personal regret and the regret of members of the House at the sudden passing of so distinguished a soldier and so fine a citizen who had brought honour to his country’. Mrs. Hargest carried a heavy. burden, for it was only a few weeks ago she had lost a son iu Italy. Before he loft. London for Italy, Brigadier Hargest had asked him if he would visit his son’s grave, and as he stood there before the grave of a brave New Zealand boy he thought of Brigadier Hargest waiting to go to France, of the church in Brockenhurst where Mr. and Mrs. Hargest were married, and of their home in Southland. “Our hearts go out to Mrs. Hargest and she has our wholehearted anil sincere sympathy in her hour of bereavement” said Mr. Fraser. “She and lhe other members of her family have lost s husband and father of outstanding character, and one of New Zealand's finest citizens and greatest sons.’’ Mr. Holland’s Tribute. 'lhe Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland. seconding the resolution, spoke of his long personal friendship with Brigadier Hargest aud. of the grief which he felt at his untimely death. “After Jim Hargest’s amazing escapes, one almost felt* that he seemed to bear a charmed life,” said Mr. Holland. “His death came as n very great shock to me and my colleagues, and, when it became known after the "Prime Minister's announcement last Friday, to the country as a whole. I knew him through and through. He was nt his best with his family and on the farm he loved. I have enjoyed his hospitality under bis own roof, and have been privileged to extend hospitality to him under mine with my family. I have toured with him. find talked with him on what should lie done for the future of our country. Since he went away I have been in conslant touch with him, and his whole thought lui.4 been for the welfare of the New Zealand he loved. Regardless of our political opinions, we have all felt that there was a big place for [largest to fill iu the life of the Dominion ufter the Till'."

Mr. Holland said he had received a great number of messages from all over the Dominion asking, him to convey sympathy |o Mrs. Hargest and her family and expressing grief at the news of Brigadier [largest's death.

Such a tragedy—and indeed it was a tragedy—served ns a reminder that our freedom was being won for us by the sacrifice of valued human life. What had happened to the Hargest family had happened to mauv others We must hold fast to those' things that, were being preserved; wc must see that there was no repetition of war that made such sacrifice inevitable. The world. New 'Zealand ami the Empire were the poorer for the passing of Brigadier Utirgest, but the richer for his life. Mr. Holland concluded with a tribute to .Mrs. Hargest's line qualities os wife and mother and his personal sympathy to her and her two sons and daughter. Aided by the French. Ilow French railwaymen had saved Brigadier Hargest from recapture by the Germans when crossing France as it railwav worker was revealed by the Minister of Finance. Mr. Nash, when speaking of his meeting the brigadier in London. He had been travelling across France in that guise, and when the Germans came to interrogate the railwaymen they had stood round Brigadier Hargest and took him Io a hut where ho was saved Iron) having to answer the Gernmits. M lien he was near the border of Spain one of the mi'll neeomoaiiied him over the I’vre-iiei-s. When (hey had crossed and Ili • war to freedom was clear Brigadier [largest took from his pocket all the French money he possessed and pressed it upon the Frenchman. The Frenebmn’i had re-

plied. “Atou are spoiling everything; what we are doing is for France.” .Mr. Doidge (Opposition. Tauranga), at (he conclusion of bis personal tribute to Brigadier Hargest. said that the Prime Minister had given a very tine narrative of Brigadier Hargest's services both to his country and to New Zealand’s fighting men overseas. The Prime Minister's story, told ns it was without over-state-ment. should be an inspiration to New Zealand youth. Hi* would suggest, therefore. that the Hansard report of the Prime Minister's remarks be reprinted and read throughout. the schools. _ Ol lier speakers were: The Minister of Defence. Mr. -tones. the Minister iu charge of Wat* Expenditure. Mr. Hamilton, the Opposition members. Messrs. Roy (Uluthn). Macdonald (Mataura), Sim (Rotorua). Polson (Stratford) and Kidd (Waitnki), and two Government members. Messrs. -I. B. li’. Cotterill (Wanganui) ami 11. E. Combs ( Wellington Suburbs).

BURIAL IN FRANCE

(By Telegraph. —Press Assn. -Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) LONDON. August 21. Brigadier Hargest was buried on August 1" at the little village of liouI'amps, three miles south of Auiiay-sur-Odmi. His body was wrapped in the Union Jack.