DEATH OF MRS. FRASER

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 138, 8 March 1945, Page 6

DEATH OF MRS. FRASER

Wife Of Prime Minister INTEREST IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS The death occurred in Lewisham Hospital, Wellington, at 4.25 p.m. yesterday, of Mrs. Janet Fraser, wife of the Prime Minister, after an illness extending over several months. The Prime Minister was with her when she died. Arrangements for the funeral, which is expected to take place on Saturday morning, will be made today. Mrs. Fraser’s health tailed soon after her return to New Zealand last July from an arduous trip to the United Kingdom with Mr. Fraser. She entered the. Lewisham Hospital in October, but. did not regain her former strength, and during the past fortnight her condition became progressively worse. Though her health was not robust, Mrs. Fraser never spared herself in undertaking ’the myriad public duties her position demanded and for almost fave years ever since her husband became Prime Minister, she was indefatigable in lending her support to every good cause, and in her deep interest in many aspects of public life. . .... By nature unassuming and retiring, Mrs. Fraser had a sympathetic and human approach and a simple charm of manner that endeared her to all and made her a popular figure wherever she went. Her interests were all marked by a keen enthusiasm and an intelligent understanding. She was vigorous and energetic, a witty and efficient speaker and was much in demand at public gatherings. She was well informed in matters of health, education and child welfare and took a keen interest in her husband’s activities, being a great help to him in public life. Mrs. Fraser was a Justice of the Peace, a foundation member of the League of Mothers, and honorary member of the Federation of University Women and patroness of the Maori Women’s Health League, being intensely interested in the welfare of the Maori people. Some years ago she was a member of the Wellington Hospital Board for a period, an associate of the Children’s Court and official visitor to the Mental Hospitals.

Born in Glasgow, Mrs. 1 raser was educated there and became a primary school teacher before she came to New Zealand in 1910. She always took a great deal of interest in Labour politics and it was through her association with Labour activities in New Zealand that she met Mr. Fraser, to whom she was married in 1918. Early in her married life, Mrs. Fraser showed practical sympathy for those needing help by doing valuable work during the influenza epidemic that followed the last war. .Later, during the infantile paralysis epidemic, Mrs. Fraser again helped, this time in the Wellington Hospital. It was while she was working in the wards that she was elected to the hospital board. . Mrs Fraser revisited the United Kingdom in 1935, when Mr. Fraser went to Great Britain as a representative of the New Zealand branch of the Empire Parliamentary Association. She also accompanied the Prime Minister to the Australian-New Zealand Conference held in Canberra in January last year. Later in the year she went with Mr. Fraser to Britain on his mission to attend the Empire Conference of Prime Ministers in London. The strain of this trip took a severe toll of her health, for apart from the heavy travelling it entailed, Mrs. Fraser did not spare herself, and made it her business to visit as many New Zealand servicemen as possible. By her first marriage, Mrs. Fraser had one son, Mr. Harold Kemp, Wellington (now serving overseas as a lieutenant in the Naval Volunteer Reserve), who married a daughter of the Hon. H. T. Armstrong. There is one granddaughter.

TRIBUTE BY MR. NASH

Confidence And Respect Of All

“It is doubtful whether any woman will be more missed from the life of Parliament and M ellington City than Mrs. Fraser,” said the Minister of Finance, Mr, Nash, in a tribute last night to the memory of the wife of the Prime Minister. “Quiet, reserved, farseeing, she won the confidence 'and respect of all with whom she came in contact. A great reader, a keen student, particularly of social, historical, and international affairs, bei- opinion was often invited by many in all walks of life. t “Her work in connexion with the Women's War Service Auxiliary, and other Dominion activities, particularly since the outbreak of war, brought a heavy strain that for a long time taxed her health and strength. In her visits overseas, particularly to the United States and the United Kingdom, she won the friendship and goodwill of many whom I personally have met. IVithin one short week we have lost two great personalities, Mrs. Fraser and Mrs, Sprott, both of whom have made a great contribution to the life and progress of the Dominion, and they will bo sadly missed.”

OPPOSITION LEADER’S TRIBUTE

(By Telegraoh.—Press- Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 7. “I wish to extend to the Prime Minister my profound sympathy in the death of Mrs. Fraser,” said the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland, tonight. . _“I have known for some time of her failing health and of the fortitude with which she bore her suffering, but her passing was quite unexpected. “Mrs. Fraser had a most charming personality and wherever she went she was respected and admired. I came into frequent contact with her in discharge of our official responsibilities _ and every meting deepened my respect for her. Quite unassuming and entirely unaffected by her high office, she had but one aim m life and that was the welfare of the people. Mrs. Krtiser imide a specinl study of problems associated with the raising of families, child welfare and education, and many women's organizations which she graced with her support gained much from her wide experience and wise counsel. “All of us who in the Parliamentary sphere knew Mrs. Fraser personally, feel a deep sense of grief in her passing, for we have lost a fine friend and one whose influence on the life of this country will long remain to remind us of her service and” her sacrifice. Truly can it be said that Mrs. Janet Fraser lived and died m the service of her country, whose people will wish to extend to the Prime Minister and her son sincere sorrow in their irreparable loss. I extend sympathy oij behalf of all my Parliamentary colleagues.”

DEVOTED WORK FOR COMMUNITY

“I have known and warmly admired the quiet and devoted work of Mrs. Fraser through three great crises in New Zealand’s history of the mist. 27 years—the epidemic of 191 S, tbe depression of 13 years ago and the present, war. said Mrs. Knox Gilmer in a tribute last night. “She never sought the limelight. I know of many, cases,, .during the egi-,

demic and the depression, when, with her quiet understanding, she helped c many. There are women in tins city today, who. as girls 13 years ago. had cause to be grateful for the wonderful help Mrs. Fraser gave them when they were penniless and .sometimes homeless. “Her big heart was always o;>en to the cause of young children, whether in the cradle, at kindergarten, or in tlieir later schooldays. In Mrs. Graser the members of the Maori race liad a. true and steadfast friend. The women.of New Zealand, specially the under-privileged, will remember her for the gallant figlß she put up over many years for a higher standard of living for all.. I have lost a friend whose help I will always remember, tlm more so ns it was so readily given, specially in the dark days ot the presenl war. Wo worked together in

many organizations and her ability to solve problems and make the way- easier for all will be an abiding memor/Jto me.