REQUIEM MASS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20208, 29 March 1940, Page 9

REQUIEM MASS

BASILICA SERVICE LATE PRIME MINISTER IMPRESSIVE OBSEQUIES NOTABLE ASSEMBLAGE (Pi>r Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Solemn pontifical requiem mass was celebrated to-day for repose of the soul of the date Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage. The Basilica and the Sacred Heart was crowded with representatives of all branches of the Legislature, State Department and every walk of life and all public organisations were represented. Sir Harry Batterbee, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom was present, also representatives of foreign consulates and overseas distinguished visitors. The scene within the Basilica was probably the most impressive since the obsequies of Archbishop Redwood. In front of the church at a special predieu knelt the Governor-General. Viscount Galway, representative of the Crown and symbol stately dignity. Procession of Clergy About 30 priests from various parts of the city and district formed the procession. The celebrant, Archbishop O’Shea had as assistant priest, the Very Rev. T. Robinson. The Deacon of the mass was Father J. Buist and the sub-deacon, Father Uhlenberg. The deacons of the throne were the Very Rev. V. Geaney and the Very Rev. J, J. Kennedy. The Rev. J. A. Higgins performed the services of maste* of ceremonies assisted by the Rev. F. L. Dignan. The moderator of the choir was the Rev. D. G. Bounce. Tlw music of the mass was sung by the Basilica male choir under the Rev. FH. Walsh.

The Archbishop delivered the address and then the following obsequies around the casket were performed by the Archbishop with appropriate ritual. The majestic strains of Handel’s Dead March rose as a final salute to the leader who had gone. Women wept openly, many male eyes were also dimmed by the notes. Many stayed afterwards to view the casket where lay the man who had run his race worthily and well and will be remembered for his sincerity, gentleness and Christian courage. Thoughts for Masses In his address, Archbishop O’Shea said the loss of the Prime Minister would have been serious at any time, but it was all the more so when the country was engaged with the Allies and the other Dominions in a great war which threatened the interests of religion, civilisation and even decency itself. Archbishop O'Shea ‘said Mr. Savage’s chief characteristic was his genuine love for his fellow-men and his great desire that all should have justice. Naturally his first thought was for the masses who, under the present economic system, had very little chance of setting aside anything for the days when they could not work. Insecurity about the future was the cause of a great deal of unhappiness and it was Mr. Savage’s aim and ambition to minimise this as far as possible. In an imperfect world or a world composed of imperfect human beings his charity and love impressed all men, even those who did not agree with his views and opposed them. Lying-in-State

Mr. Savage’s casket was borne into the vestibule of Parliament Buildings at 12.25 p.m. and placed so that at the head stands a floral cross tribute from his colleagues. The vestibule is canopied in black and, from the walls fall hangings of deep purple and black. The pillars and openings are draped in purple and black. The Ministers and their wives were the first to file round the bier led by Mr. and Mrs. Fraser, and then members of the staffs of Parliament Buildings. Thereafter, the first guard of four sailors from H.M.S. Leander took up their posts. A striking feature of the arrival of the coffin was the Maori greeting accorded at the foot of the steps by Mr. E, T. Tirikatene, M. 8., for Southern Maori, who, wearing a kiwi mat and war medals, recited a welcome and referred to Mr. Savage as the leader of the Maori as well as the Pakeha. Mr. Chamberlain’s Eulogy Lord Galway has received a message from the Prime Minister, 4 Mr. Neville Chamberlain, through the Secretary of State for the Dominions, Mr. Anthony Eden, conveying the regret and sympathy of himself and his colleagues that New Zealand had lost a leader whose selfless devotion to the cause of progress was an inspiration rtnd example. “In the difficult times through which the world has been passing, we knew Mr. Savage always had at heart the ideals and principles for which the British commonwealth stands,” the message added. “His death will be mourned not only in New Zealand but throughout the Empire-” Condolences were also received from M. Reynaud, Premier of France. Major-General B. C. Freyberg, the commander of the New Zealand forces overseas, has cabled the sympathy of the troops in Egypt and announced that a memorial service is being held in Cairo Cathedral on Friday evening Further messages are from the leader of the British Labour Party. Major C. R. Attlee, M. Avenol, Sec-retary-General of the League of Nations, the Governor of Southern Rhodesia, Lord Craigavon, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Sir Chas. Fergusson, Tamasese, leader of the Samoan Man, Mr. HeflTon, leader of the Labour Party in New South Wales, Mr. Dwyer Grey, Premier of Tasmania and Mr. W. Aberhart, Premier of Alberta. Archbishop O'Shea has received from Cardinal Hinsley. the following cable: I deeply sympathise in the loss of the Prime Minister. Requiescat.