The Hawera Star. MONDAY, MAY 11, 1925. THE LATE MR. MASSEY

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 11 May 1925, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

MONDAY, MAY 11, 1925. THE LATE MR. MASSEY

Delivered every evening by 5 o’clock -n Hawern, Mar.aia, Nonnanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley, Mokoia, Wbakamaru, Ohar.yai, Meremere, Fraser Road, an Ararata.

Not New Zealand alone, but the, whole British Empire, is the poorer by the loss of the great leader whose spii'it followed in the wake of the setting sun last night. Wherever his voice has been heard, wherever the influence of his sterling character has been felt, hearts will be heavy wi tlx sorrow at the news of Mr. Massey’s death. The little Irish boy who landed unheralded at Auckland 1 fifty-four years ago is mourned to-day in London and Ottawa, Belfast and Capetown, in all the States of Australia and in the. remotest settlement of our own Islands. Nor is this moui’ning mere empty formality. Tried and trusted. Imperial statesman, outstanding Dominion, legislator, and beloved party leader, the late Prime Minister was in addition a true friend of the people. From, the moment of his entry into national politics, over thirty years ago-, his aim wa« to serve his fellows; ancl the distinction and success which passing years -brought him placed no barrier between him .and the common folk of whom he- was proud to think himself one. Of pride in the bad sense of the word, however, lie knew nothing. To have risen from ploughman to an honoured place among the rulers of the world’s greatest Empire was no mean achievement, and some show ol personal satisfaction, co-uld have been forgiven the man who accomplished it. Bub from Mi-. Massey any such feeling was absent. What he had done was not for himself, but for the country of his adoption, for the Empire of which he grew to ’ be so -passionately fond. Had he been spared in ollice for another three months- and nine days, his record on the bridge of State would have equalled that of the other great figure in New Zealand politics, the late Mr. Seddon; and, since any passing pleasure that might have brought him would have been only a drop in the ,sea, of gratitude which so

strenuous and self-sacrificing a life had earned, there is an added sadness, in the nations grieving. But the eternal plan is- best, and it was a fitting close to ia splendid life of effort and attainment that the Releasing An get should come in the fading light of a Sunday evening, which is the moment of all the week most strongly suggestive of peace after striving. No man who sees life as an opportunity for .service can hope to cany through every new task which he takes xn hand; but a greater wisdom than maix has decreed that the sun shall sink to. rest and the winter follow the autumn when the full toil of a day and a season has been completed. He whom we mourn in this new week would, have wished no .finer death than has been his lot. Through the seasons of sowing, and bending, and reaping -he laboured hard in the public cause, never spaaing himself, always by his example winning the best from his fellow-workers. He lived to see much of his earlier work bear abundant fruit to the happiness of this country, the glory of the Empire, and —now —to, the honour of his name. No man could have lived a fuller life, and he could well be content to leave to younger shoulders the bifrdens yet to be taken up. Although his own iron frame is laid to rest, and the heart big with love for the people has ceased to beat, Mr. Massey’s example will live, and the inspiration of his life will be a potent factor f&r good in the political affairs of New Zealand for years to come. At such close quarters it is impossible to form a just estimate of any man’s worth; time, sit once the friend and the deceiver of the historian, is essential to a correct view. Even as many a leader is the product of his time, so, the measure of his: wo-rk is, to be sought in his influence on the life ot his time. But this we can say of the dead Chief: Time will not dim the light of his work nor smudge the image which he leaves in the hearts of those who were his colleagues and associates. William Ferguson. Massey was a great man; there will he none more ready to admit that than these who were opposed to him politically. His was such a figure as eno-bles the Parliamentary history of any country. He newer lost heart, although in those early days of Opposition leadership there was little hope of the success which lay hidden in the lap of the future. In the House, as in the less public work of the Cabinet, the late Prime Minister was not one to consider himself. Elarly and late he was in his seat on Mr. Speaker’s right, and there was very little said in the course of debate which escaped his keen ear. Sometimes, towards daylight after ,ai wearing all-night sitting, Mr - . Massey would stretch out on his bench to snatch a few moments’ rest. That was a temptation for young members on, the other .side of the House to comment on the Prime Minister’s weariness, although always in the best of good humour. Those in a position to see the “sleeping' ’ leader at such times would notice one eye o-pen. Then perhaps Mr. Massey would' glance on to the Press Gallery and .smile his cognizance of what was .passing in the Chamber. If a member were foolish enouglx to taunt the head of the Government with a change of opinion on -any matter, the recumbent form was upright in a moment and the active brain fully aware of the charge that had been levelled. Some of his. finest extempore speeches were made, at such moments, when, weary in the flesh and anxious for the ringing of the division hell, Mr. Ma.ssey rose- to defend his actions or those of the Government. It might possibly be that he had changed his mind in the course of the years —he could not have been the man he was had his opinions been stubbornly fixed —but always he could explain the new ciroumstances which had led lxim to abandon the views of his less mature clay®. In debate lie was a hard hitter, but there was never a suspicion of unfairness in his method*, while he could .stand xip To punishment with the best of them. Considering the very scant time lie had available for preparation, almost his every .speech carried the stamp of the master mind, and hi;s. knowledge of Parliamentary pi’ooedure was rivalled only by his appreciation. of British history and his intimate acquaintance with the Bible.

The nation’s grief is tempered by the satisfaction that he died in harness after a life of unselfish devotion to the public weal, and the .sorrow of his family and immediate friends may be easier borne in the knowledge that the heart.s of the people are overflowing with Jove for the man who, has ceased from striving for others. He wore himself out in the country’s interest; all that the country can do in return is to tender its full and sincere sympathy ,to Mrs. Massey and her family, to catch up the torch which lia.s fallen from his dying grasp, and to bear it on in triumph, lighting the way for others to- follow in hi® splendid path of .self-effacing service for the Dominion and the Empire.