HONOURING THE DEAD

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 June 1925, Page 5

HONOURING THE DEAD

PARLIAMENTARY TRIBUTES.

TO MR MASSEY AND OTHERS/ (Special to “Star.”) WELLINGTON, June 26. Proceedings in the House to-day only lasted two and a half hours, the prin-cipal-business 1 being the recording of tributes; to deceased legislators. The first half hour was devoted to notices of questions and notices <»' motion. Mr Wright gave notice to ask the Prime Minister if he would intro, duce a Civil Service Amendment Bill, which he said was long overdue. The late Prime Minister last session, admitted that the bill was urgently needed, but could not introduce it owing to pressure of other business. Mr Hudson gave notice to ask the Minister cf Agriculture if the Government would continue the guarantee on exported fruit next season, and if so to what extent. ■

Mr D. La Perelle said that he would ask the Minister in charge of the .Electoral Department if persons whose oc. enpations necessitated travelling from one electorate to another and who were therefore unable to comply, wjth the three months’ residence qualification, should not -be disfranchised. ;

Mr Rolleston gave notice to ask the Minister of Agriculture whether some reciprocal arrangement would be made by Australia regarding the importation of potatoes. The. Minister of Health, is to bfe ask. ed by Mr D. G Sullivan whether a nurses’- pension scheme is to be provided for tliis session, which would include the claims ' of .maternity and other nurses who were practising before the establishment of St. Helen’s Homes;

In moving that the House place on record its high sense of the demoted and distinguished services to New Zealand and the Empire, rendered by the late Mr Massey, and of the great loss the Dominion sustained by his death, Mr Coates said that Mr Massey’s career, if it reflected anything at all, gave an annihilating answer 'ten those tricky minded people with the demoralising gospel that wiliness and artifice were passports to public confidence. From the day he entered Parliament till he died, no suspicion of betrayal of public interest ever attached to Mr Massey’s name. The Empire would long therish bis memory and would miss his rcck-like firmness and faith. A mat with an iron will, he believed that it is more vital for the Empire to be one than for the Dominions to, be independent nations. Innumerable ex. amples of humanitarianism and social legislation on the Statute Book eloquently bore testimony, and would all stand as monuments to the manliness -md human side of the great man’s character.- His death had left a gap in official life which would be hard to fTI. “Let u.s look,” said Mt Coates, “for inspiration in the performance;-of our public duty, to the high and lofty principles that ever actuated him who has gone, and may they always serve as a guide for clean and honest condncß»of our public affairs.”

Th-a Treader of the Opposition (Mr Wilford) said that in his 25 years’ ex. perience in Parliament, he had had many opportunities of coming in contact with Mr Mas'ev and of ob'rervmg his worth. Mr Wilford said that he could not do better than place on record his own appreciation of Mr Massey, written .after the late statesman had died. Mr Holland also extended the sym. rnthv of the. Labour Party to the late Mr Massey’s relatives, and repeated the sentiments 'expressed in the telerprem forwarded by him to Sir Francis Bell, when Mr Massey died, to the effect that Mr Massey was a man who always kept his Xvord. Tn the clash of the political battle, the T/abour Party often came in conflict with Mr Massey who was an uncompromising opponent of the Party. But, said Mr Holland, “tiwj> like an ever-rolling stream bears all its sons away,” and standing by his open grave, metaphorically speaking, we draw the curtain over the battles of the past. . The motion was carried after n num. her of othe¥ speakers had affiled their tributes.

The late Hon. J. Grrnmond was de. scribed by the Prime Minister, in moving a motion of respect, as one of tlie hardv old type, and one who was young despite his years. Ha was a ma" of a. very happy disposition, a.man who was loved' by everyone who knew him. Jt was always a pleasure to meet .such a dear old man.

■ The Learder of the Opposition remarked that Air Grimmond was generally known in the legislative halls as “Dad.” in the same spirit of reverence as the late Air Colvin Was called “Unci o .’’ He was a most kindly and generous soul, and never was a subscription list circulated in the house but he made a ready and generous response. Air J. O’Brien spoke of Air Grimmond as a man who had helped to mould the country. He was one of the digger type, and his death had removed from the Coast one who was universally loved. • Messrs Anderson, Horn and Holland also added' their tributes, Air Holland mentioning that Air Grimmond was the one member of" the Legislative Council who contributed to the funds of the Labour Party. Tributes having been passed also to the late Hon. •O. Samuel, Edward Wakefield and Aparima To Alutu Kapa, the House adjourned -as a mark of respect at 5 p.m., until 7.30 p.m. on Monday, when the Imprest Bill will be brought down.

LABOUR’S FUTILE TACTICS.

The Labour? Party claims it is the real Opposition in Parliament, and perhaps it was with the idea of fixing that impression in the public mind that Air Holland got in first with notice of his intention to move an amendment to the Address-in-Reply. Constitutionally, the Leader of the Opposition has the right to move an amendment first, but the fact that Air Wilford was silent does not indicate that he has lost his right of priority.

The incident has been much discussed in Parliamentary circles, and the ■opinion of authorities on procedure is that Air Holland has—to use one expression—“misfired. ’ ’_

“It was only an effort to play to the gallery,” rem irked one Parliamentarian. “Many imagine that giving such notice deprives Mr Wilford of the right to first move a motion of no. confidence, if he so desires it. Such, is not the case. Under Parliamentary procedure, which no one knows better than Mr Wilford, the Leader of the Opposition —in this case Mr Wilford — has the right to speak first, after the mover and seconder of the Address-in-Reply have spoken, and while so speaking can move any motion he likes without giving notice.” The position appears to be, therefore. that after Messrs McLennan and Hudson have opened the Address-iii-f’erflv debate, next Tuesday ?uglit, Mr Wilioid will have wo right to spear, next. v.-hen the cienaro is resumed on

Wednesday, and if lie moves an amend, ment, this will automatically take pre. cedence of Mr Holland s amendment. After Mr Wilford has- concluded his speech,, he will doubtless be followed by a Minister, or some other member of the Reform Party, which is the- custom followed in the House, and it will not be until then that Mr Holland will be likely to be called on. ' / It is usually ; accepted as>- the function of t the Leader of the Opposition to, ask questions: of the Prime Ministeron the order of procedure- to be followed in . the business of the house. Mr Wilford did not do, so yesterday, and when Mr addressed, the query to the Prime Minister on the point, it was'distinctly - noticeable that in his reply, the Prime Minister addressed his remarks* to the Leader of the Opposition, and that the information which Mr Holland sought was impart, ed to *Mr Wilford. PARTY GATHERINGS (Per Pres<> Association.) WELLINGTON, June 27. Both the Reform and Liberal Parties met last night to discuss the question of fusion. After several hours’ deliberations, no definite decision was arrived at, but the delegates of the respective parties were empowered to meet and exchange the views of their Parties, and confer further if desirable.