TRIBUTE BY MINISTER

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 108, 9 May 1941, Page 8

TRIBUTE BY MINISTER

THE LATE MR. S!PIDY

A GREAT PUBLIC SERVANT

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BLENHEIM, This Day!

"Indomitable courage in the face of great difficulties, unfailing cheerfulness despite ill health,'a charming personality, .and outstanding ability were characteristics which marked the life of the late Mr. E. T. L. Spidy," said the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Supply and Munitions, when paying tribute; t,o Mr. Spidy today.

"I am extremely sorry that official engagements already entered into' in Blenheim make it impossible for me to attend his funeral, in Wellington today and pay. the last tribute to a most distinguished public servant. It was my privilege to know -Mr. Spidy intimately during the past five and a half years both in his capacity as Superintendent of Workshops and later as Controller of Munitions. I had the greatest respect for Mr. Spidy's opinions, based as they weue on ; wMe and extensive experience. The efficiency of the railway workshops, which have played such an outstanding part in railway work and development, is due in no small measure to the ability and vision of the late ; Mr. Spidy. He brought the same degree of efficiency, and worked without thought for himself, in his capacity as munitions controller. To him was allotted the vast and important task of carrying out the Goyernment's policy of munition production, and he carried out these duties with 'signal success. "Mr. Spidy accompanied me to Australia in connection with munition matters.and, 'although in poor health, he, never but with invincible spirit and determination carried out his work and made an.outstanding contribution towards the success of the mission. In his passing New Zealand has lost a splendid citizen who was a public servant in the highest sense of the word."