HIGH TRIBUTE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 1, 1 July 1939, Page 8

HIGH TRIBUTE

"FATHER OF HOUSE"

LATE SIR T. WILFORD

High tribute to the late Sir Thomas Wilford, who was described as one of New Zealand's outstanding sons, was forthcoming in the House of Representatives yesterday, when the House paid its respects to his memory. The acting Leader of the House (the Hon. P. Fraser), in recounting Sir Thomas* s almost. unique record, referred to the fact that he represented the Hutt electorate from 1899 to 1929, and was High. Commissioner for New Zealand in London from 1930 to 1934. A mere recital of the impprtant positions held by Sir Thomas Wilford, and his many activities, together with his wide and Varied interests, were sufficient to indicate how distinguished a figure he was in our national life, and, in some respects, in international life. He was the "Father of the House" during the later years of his membership in it. During his thirty years' very distinguished Parliamentary experience Ihe showed his great ability as a Cabij net Minister and as an advocate. '■His many services to the country I cannot possibly be enumerated," said Fraser, "but the men who earn their living on the waterfront have reason to feel grateful to Sir: Thomas Wilford for his action in setting up, as Minister of Marine, a most efficient Commission to inquire into the safety of the gear worked on the wharves and in the ships. As a result of that investigation the safety to life and limb was greatly increased. Mr. Fraser added that Sir Thomas Wilford's wide interests made him an interesting per-' sonality and a genial companion.The Hon. Sir, Alfred Ransom (National,'Pahiatua>^supported the remarks of Mr. Fraser. No one had had a longer or more intimate acquaintance with Sir Thomas than the speaker, who was born Within a stone's throw of him and was about the same age. "He was unquestionably'one of New Zealand's outstanding sons," said Sir .Alfred. "He enjoyed a distinguished career in whatever course of life he took up. He was able to show what can be done by the exercise of enterprise arid willingness to give his services in the interests of his/ country." , Other members of the House joined in the tributes to Sir Thomas and in the general appreciation of his services to the Dominion in many spheres of activity. The late Mr. George Mitchell, a member of the House from 1919 to 1922, was also the subject of appreciative reference, which included his civic service, to Wellington and his work on behalf of ex-servicemen. '■■.'.■'-Others-, to "•.whom tribute for service to the. Dominion; was paid were the late Dr. H. T. J. Thacker, Messrs. Thomas BuxtonyW. W. Tanner, James W; Kelly, D.-T. Fleming, and Taite Te Tbmo. .. - ;>;.. '.'■.■.'' (,