LATE MR. MCCOMBS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 29, 3 August 1933, Page 12

LATE MR. MCCOMBS

TRIBUTE BY MR. P.- FRASER, : • m.p. '

• (By Telegraph.) (Special to the "Evening Post.") ' AUCKLAND, This Day. : ■ Mr. P. Eraser,' M.P. for Wellington Central, < who is at present on a lecturing tour in North Auckland, was at Warkworth last uight and was informed of the death of Mr. J. McCombs, M.P., too late to permit of-his catching the at Auckland so as to attend the funeral in Christehurch on Friday. I , At the commencement of his address jii the- Town Hall, Wnrkworth, where heispoke along with Mr. J. G. Barclay, Air. JPraser paid an eloquent and moving tribute to the life, character, and work of Mr. McCombs. He said that the late member for Ly Helton was a loyal comrade, a true friend, and a devoted, faithful, and intrepid fighter for the cause of Labour and democracy. Thero iras no more able man in the public life of the Dominion. His loss to the Labour Party was irreparable. His place could not be filled. For ability jh dealing with finance, figures, -and statistics he stood supreme. His outstanding and unique ability was recog.■riisfd in Parliament by opponents as well as by bis political friends. His death made the first gap in the ranks of the Labour Party in Parliament. Only'those who knew him intimately arid fought side by side with him for many years could fully appreciate his unselfish devotion to the cause he had at heart. At the conclusion of Mr. Eraser's remarks the audience stood in silence as a tribute to the public work of Mr. MeCombs, and as a mark of sympathy with Mrs. McCombs, her family, and the Labour Party.