AN EMPIRE STATESMAN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 11 May 1925, Page 5

AN EMPIRE STATESMAN.

COUNTRY MOURNS LOSS OF ITS LEADER PEACEFUL END TO PAINFUL ILLNESS. (Per Press Association—Extraordinary.) WELLINGTON, May 10. The Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) passed peacefully away to-day at 5.40 p.m. The news of the passing of the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister for New Zealand, which was received in Hawera yesterday afternoon shortly .before 6.30 o’clock, was received with deep and sincere expressions of regret from all sections of the community, irrespective of political creeds or beliefs. Ever since the close of the 1924 session of Parliament, Mr Massey h-ad been in somewhat indifferent health, suffering from a painful illness, stated to be sciatica. Notwithstanding this, he continued to carry on his onerous duties, displaying a courage, indomitable willpower and an optimistic outlook that was the admiration of all his friends. But there came a time when he was compelled to lay aside his duties of State. For a time he was under treatment at Rotorua, and on his return to Wellington appeared to be making some progress, if slow, towards recovery. The coming of the Aorangi was his first public appearance since the beginning of December, 1924, and a few days later he attended the welcome function to the All Black footballers, and this, unfortunately, was destined to be his last appearance in public. On March 31st came the news of his operation on the previous day. Bulletins were issued for a few days, and were then withheld until there was a definite change. The renewal of the bulletins caused further suspense, and then a week ago a slight improvement was recorded, the Prime Minister showing -an unexpected reserve of vitality. The improvement was not maintained, however, and the acute anxiety of the last two or three days terminated yesterday, when the toiler of 70 long years passed to his rest.