PARLIAMENT’S TRIBUTE TO LATE MR W. DOWNIE STEWART

Grey River Argus, 5 October 1949, Page 2

PARLIAMENT’S TRIBUTE TO LATE MR W. DOWNIE STEWART

P.A. WELLINGTON, Oct 4. Tributes of respect to the memory of the late Hon. W. Downie Stewart, a former Minister of the crown, were paid in the house of Representatives today. References were made to IPs indomitable courage in the face of physical infirmities from which he suffered, following service in France in the world war one. The House adopted a resolution recording the late Mr Stewarts devoted and distinguished services to New Zealand and me British Commonwealth, and tendered its sympathy to his relatives. The resolution was moved by the ’ ime Minister Mr Fraser, and seconded by Mr W. J. Broadfoot, senior opposition whip, on behalf of the opposition. After he recalled how Mr Stewart was wheeled in a chair into the chamber to attend sittings of the House Mr Fraser said that would have inspired pity among those at the time were not for the fact that all the members knew that his tortured body contained a great mind and an indomitable spirit that rose triumphant over a painful complaint from whicn he suffered. Mr Stewart was

known as a very honourable opponent and as a man who scorned to make mere party points. Mr Fraser said he had never found Mr Stewart dogmatic of immovable. On the contrary, he always found him recolient and receptive and anxious to do the right thing, but any question of principle he considered fundamental

•as sacred to him. He could not be a party to monetary devaluation which other members of the cabinet to which he belonged, considered accessary in the economic interests of country and he resigned from that Ministry. Mr Broadfoot said that the late Mr Slewart was a worthy son of New Zealand, who was imbued with high ideals and a desire to reserve the community as a whole. He was one of the architects of the Ottawa Agreement, which strengthened the ties of Empire and Empire trade. When policy conflicted with principle, he stuck to principle. Tributes were also paid by the Minister of Finance Mr Nash, Messrs B.odkin, Connelly, Doidge the Minist-

■ of Defence Mr Jones, and messrs Langstone, Algie, and Rae. The House rose at 3.40 as a mark of respect until 2.30 tomorrow.