SIR W. BUCHANAN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 23 July 1924, Page 5

SIR W. BUCHANAN

TRIBUTES IN PARLIAMENT. BOTH HOUSES ADJOURN. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, July 22. The Legislative Council met.at 2.30 p.m., but only formal business was transacted, and the Council adjourned at 2.39 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. to-morrow as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Sir Walter Buchanan. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart, who was in charge of the House, said hon. members were no doubt aware of the sad death of the Hon. Sir Walter Buchanan, whose funeral the Premier and other Ministers and members were attending. He proyosed that under the circumstances the House should adjourn until 7.30 p.m., when members would have an opportunity of making reference to the deceased.

When the House resumed in the evening the Prime Minister moved that the House record l its high sense of the distinguished services rendered to New Zealand by the late Sir Walter Buchanan, a member of the Legislative Council and a- former member of the House of Representatives. In doing so, f he briefly sketched the life of deceased, tracing his pioneering days in Australia a pel New Zealand, his interest in education and.sport, his keenness as a critic in politics, and his enthusiasm in all patriotic movements. Continuing, he asi d the late Sir Walter was probbest known of all politicians in New Zealand to-day; certainly he was one of the most n/narkable men who ever stood in this country. He was loved by all who came into contact with • him, and this was proved by the large l numbers who, jn bitter winter weather, attended his graveside to-day. It was certainly one of the greatest assemblages. he had ever seen under similar circumstances. Sir Walter was a man blessed with great vigour, both mental and physical, enabling him to get through a great amount of work—far more than most people could do. He left no stone unturned to nromote the welfare and interest of this, the country of his adoption. Mr Massey next referred to the war services of deceased, and described how he,took his full share in the great work of re-establishing returned soldiers. He left behind him a record of thrift, industry, fair dealing and 1 loyalty which might well he emulated by the present generation. There was nothinc small about Sir Walter Buchanan. He was very generous and open-handed, and ever ready to assist those who had fallen by .the way. There were many to-day who had good cause to rise up and bless him for the assistance which had helped them over a time of stress and trouble. He was practically the pioneer of the freezing industry m the North Island, and in that way he Helped to. build up one of the greatest industries the Dominion now possessed. As a personal friend Sir Walter was ever true and faithful, and for that reason he (Mr Massey) probably felt his loss more keenly than anyone outside his own family circle, so closely had they been associated: for many years. After referring to Sir Walter Buchanan’s gift of £IO,OOO towards establishing a chair of agriculture at Victoria College and his recent declaration that he was prepared, to do more in the same direction if necessary, the Prime Minister recalled that in his private dealings Sir Walter was as straight as in his public actions. He was an honest man, and it had been truly said an honest man was the noblest work of God.

The motion was feelingly- seconded hv M-" 1\ M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition’), and supported with evident signs of emotion by Mr H. 35. Holland (Leader of the Labour Party)- and,other members. The motion was agreed to in silence, and immediately the House rose till 2.30 p.m. to-morrow as a mark of respect to the memory-of deceased. THE FUNERAL. IMPRESSIVE TRIBUTES. CARTERTON, Julv 22. Although the weather was bitterly cold and stormy, the largest number of people ever gathered in this district assembled to accord a last honour to a deceased fellow-settler at the Clareville Cemetery at noon to-dav. where the interment of the late Sit Walter Buehaiian. K. 8., M.L.C., took place. The main cortege started from the late residence' of the deceased at Lansdowne. Masterton, and was joined all along the road by units from outlying places, while very many more from the neighbourhood of Carterton, Greytown, Peatherston, Martinborough and Lower alley., with which portion of the dis- \ trict Sir Walter had been more closelv associated during the greater portion of his life, met and joined the procession at the Clareville corner. A special train from Wellington brought the Prime Minister (Mr W. F. Massey). otheF members of Cabinet, members of both Houses of Parliament, and prominent Wellington citizens. Immediately following the liearse were the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, Hon. A. D. McLeod, M.P. (Wairarapa), and members of Cabinet, the Mayors of all the ’Wairarapa- boroughs, and the cliairnien of all the local bodies, together with their councils, and a hundred cars, vehicles and cycles. In the presence of a large concourse of neople the remains of the late Sir \v alter Buchanan, who had so strenuously, usefully and gallantly fought the fiatt.le of life, were reverentv laid to rest. The Presbyterian funeral service was impressively carried through by the Revs G. King (Lnnsdownel," of ‘ the Iresbyterian Church, and the Rev. J. Davie, of Knox Church, Masterton.