Mr. MASSEY’S DEATH

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 11 May 1925, Page 9

Mr. MASSEY’S DEATH

, extra edition.

TRIBUTES TO HIS WORK.

DISTINGUISHED STATESMAN

(Received May 11, 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 10. Mr Thomas, in a message to the Australian Press Association, says: ‘‘The Empire.as a whole will hear with profound regret of Mr Massey’s death. He was one of its most distinguished statesmen. None who have had the privilege and honour of knowing him could be otherwise than impressed, by his sincerity and single-minded desire to work for the good of his country.” —A. and N.Z. Assn. “HAS DONE GREAT WORK.” SAYS SIR GEORGE FULLER. (Received Mav 11. 12.45 p.m.) ' SYDNEY, May 11. Sir George Fuller, Premier of New South Wales, said: “T regret exceedingly to hear of Mr Massey’s death. Re was one of our foremost Empire men. and he has done work of tremendous \yorth, not only to New Zealand. hut to all the Empire as well.” HIS STURDY IMPERIALISM. WHAT MR T. M. AVILFORD SAYS. WELLINGTON, May 11. Mr T. M. Wiford, Leader of the Opposition, in paying a tribute to Mr Massey, said that for 25 years they had been opponents. The dead Premier hit hard, gave no quarter, and took anything quieftly which was given in return. He was always punctual for business, and always ready for any eventuality. ‘‘His sturdy Imperialism was a joy to me, and I always saw eye to eye with hint on matters of common loyalty and the obligation which knit together and alone can maintain the integrity of the Empire.” It was difficult to imagine Parliament without him. BODY TO LIE IN STATE. NECESSARY CONSTITUTIONAL PROCEDURE. (Rv Telegraph. —Special to Star.) WELLINGTON, May 11. The body of the late Prime Minister is to be removed from his residence to the main vestibule of Parliament Buildings, where it will lie in state until the funeral. The coffin will be placed in the centre of the spacious hall outside the members’ lobby, and arrangements have been made for facilitating the visit by the thousands who will thus pay their last respects to a great political leader. It is too early to discus,s the eonstitutional developments following the sad event. Sir Francis Bell js continuing as actipg-Prime Minister, and his colleagues will cary on the purely administrative work until his Excellency sends for a political leader and requests him to form a Ministry. If former precedents are followed there would he a meeting of Reform members after the funeral, as a result of which Sir Francis Bell will he able to tender definite advice to the Governor-General regarding the choice of leader. As a by-election must take place in Franklyn, it is believed that Parliament could most conveniently he called to assemble for the despatch of business on the last Thursday in June, the customary date. By this time the new bend of the Governnvenet would be ready to meet the House with his fill 1 Cabinet. A TRUSTED LEADER. IMPERIALIST OF THE OLD SCHOOL. . x TRIBUTE FROM TIMES. Received May 11, 1.5 p.m. 'LONDON, May 10. The Times, in a leader says: ‘‘New Zealand has lost a trusted national leader and the Empire a most loyal and devoted servant. Many of the statesmen who dominated the political stage of the Mother Country and the Dominions during the ,war years have! retired in the background, and Mr Massey was the last, and, perhaps, as he himself would have preferred it, death, not defeat, has ended a long and honourable career in office. New Zealand is a country of fine loyalties; if her people are loyal to the Empire, they are also loyal to the men of their choice. Mr Massey, like his old opponent, Mr SedcTon, was Premier for 13 years. It is a tribute to his power and leadership that the various attempts of the Opposition during his terms of office seemed half-hearted and almost unreal. He was an Imperial leader of the old school, and even aftei the war he had little sympathy with the political ideals of-, seme of his brother Premiers in the British partnership. Herein, however, is reflected the opinion of the vast majority of his fellow-countrymen, for the restless doctrines of the past few years have taken longer to reach New Zealand than the nations nearer the heart of.the-.Empire. British people, knowing Mr Massey for a bluff, kindly figure, will receive the news of his death with the keenest regret,, and will be the first to sympathise with New Zealand in her great loss.”—Times. NEVER BROKE HIS WORD. LABOUR’S TRIBUTE. WELLINGTON, May 11. Mr Holland, leader of the Labour Party, telegraphed conveying his own and the Labour Party’s sympathy with Mrs Massey and with the Government, in. their irreparab’e loss. “1 shall always remember him as a statesmair of wide capabilities and strong determination and a great opponent, who, having given his word, never once broke it. After life’s fitful fever, may he sleep well.” MOURNING IN THE CAPITAL. WELLINGTON, May 11. Signs of mourning are apparent everywhere in the city to-day. All Government offices under tre Public Service Commissioner, except those transacting urgent public business, will be (dosed until after the funeral, # which is fixed for Thursday. Many busineseea were also closed, and some were draped in mourning. Sir Charles and Lady Fergusson arrived from Auckland to-day. The Supreme Court has adjourned. The schools and col'eges. on assembling. were addressed bv headmasters •>nd the scholars dismissed for the day. The schools will also be closed on Thursday. An extraordinary Gazette notice was issued this morning notifying the death of the Prime Minister.