DEATH OF MR. MASSEY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 12 May 1925, Page 5

DEATH OF MR. MASSEY.

“GOOD MAN AND TRUE.”

HIS WORK AS STATESMAN

BRITISH PRESS PAYS TRIBUTE

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. LONDON, May 11. The Morning Post pays a tribute to Air Massey under the title “A Good Man and True.” The paper adds: “All who knew him will mourn with New Zealand in the loss of her Prime Minister. He had the grit and courage of Protestant Derry and the resourceful and loyal spirit of New Zealand. He also had a firm faith in God and the Empire. His long term of office was the fruit not of mere political cleverness or power in the tricks of debate, but of the greater qualities of courage and integrity and the love and trust of his people.” The Daily Telegraph describes Mr Massey as “the last of the war Premiers throughout the Empire. It is real gratification that such a gallant fighter died in harness.” Several newspapers recall the episode that a telegram containing an invitation to stand for Parliament reached Mr Massey on the point of a pitchfork while he was haymaking. The Daily Chronicle instances Mr Massey’s inflexible moral courage in his threat to resign unless large cruisers went to escort the New Zealand transports as a protection against Von Spee. The Governor of Northern Ireland has telegraphed as follows to Sir James Allen: “Mr Massey’s death is a personal bereavement to us in the land of his birth and ancestry.”

Sir James Craig (Premier of Northern Ireland), on behalf of the Government, sent the following message: “The Empire has lost a renowned statesman and Imperialist, and Ulster one of her most distinguished sons.” The Daily Telegraph says: “Mr Massey’s fixed" immovable principles, his unshakable determination to «£see trouble through, and his readiness to throw in all were invaluable qualities in time of danger. Mr Massey was an Imperialist through and through. We hope his successor will be a statesman equal in courage and with devotion as fixed and ardent.” Mr T. P. O’Connor contributes a f,wo r column obituary notice in the Daily Telegraph, in which he says: “Mr Massey was born in Limavady, which represents the Ulster Orange temuerament in its rigidest and dourest form. With a slight change in his life, he might have occupied the place Sir James Craig lias. He had the same resolute temper, and the same stern, simple creed.”

CANADA’S SYAfPATHY

OTTAWA, May 11

Regret is expressed in Government eireles at the death of Mr Massey. A message of condolence has been cabled by the (Mr McKenzie King) to the aeting-Premier.

TN MASONIC CIRCLES. GRAND MASTER DTPS IN HARNESS IB) TKI,EGRAHH PRESS )KBUIHATIU> AUCKLAND, May 11. Mr Massey’s death deprives the Masonic institution in New Zealand ol its official head. . this is the first tinn in thirty-five years’ existence of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand that a Grand Master has died while in harness. When Mr Massey was installed intc that office in Auckland last November the ravages of the disease which hat resulted in his death were already painfully apparent, and it was obvious that only his remarkable fortitude enabled him to go through the fatiguing cere niony of installation. As a matter o', fact, he has never been able to perform any, of the duties of his office beyoin the, signing of documents issued fron the Grand Lodge office which require! his signature for their completion Under the Masonic system of adminis tration the duties of Grand Master de valve automatically upon the Deputy Grand Master of the year. Air R. A Richmond, of Grevmouth, who will con tinue to fulfil them until the next com rnunication in November, when anothe' Grand Master will' be elected. Accord mg to the system estab’ished by the New Zealand Grand Lodge, which en aides each of the four chief Masonic provinces to nominatesthe Grand Master for two years out of every eight Auckland will have the right to give the lead in the choice of Mr Massey’; successor.

In point of fact, the transfer of an thoritv to All 1 Richmond involves rr actual change of procedure in the craft As Deputy-Grand Master, ho was the constitutional he;ul of the institution it the cas° of the absence of bis sonic officer from the Dominion, and similar I- now in the ease of Lis death. AT Afassev’s illness prevented him fron visitations of lodges and o+ho.r Alason'r functions, and Mr Richmond has under taken practicallv the whole of sue 1 work that, lias been done in the las’ five months.

All the lodges in New Zealand nr to ijo draped in mourning for the next month. ARRANGEMENTS FOR FUNERAL. WELLINGTON. May 'll. The route for the funeral to Point Halswell will be by road, motors being employed. It is notified for the information of local bodies and other organisations that if they desire to have a place in the procession they should immediately communicate with; Air J. A. a His'op (Under-Secretary for Interna 1 . K. Affairs, Parliament Buildings'). Ik.

EMPIRE-WIDE TRIBUTES. TO HIS WORK AS STATESMAN. i SERVICES TO EMPIRE EULOGISED. Messages from all parts of the British Umpire have been received by the Press of the Dominion expressing deep regret at the death of the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister of New Zealand, and paying eloquent tributes to his services for New Zealand and also in the greater sphere of the affairs of the British Empire.

MRS. MASSEY REPLIES

TO MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY

SYMPATHY OF THE MAORIS

AN ELOQUENT MESSAGE'

GISBORNE, May 11

IN THE SUPREME COURT,

FEELING REFERENCES AT ARE

O’HIRISTGirURiOH, Alav 11

MORE TRIBUTES

WELLINGTON. May 12

WELLINGTON, May 11 Of the very many messages which have poured like a stream into the offices of the press of the Dominion since the death of the Rit. Hon. \\ . Jj . Massey, none is more touching in its application than that received this evening front Mrs. Massey. With a. fortitude that is characteristic yet striking, Mrs. Massey boro her husband’s illness, and now that the end lias come Mrs. Massey expresses in her own words, in the following message her grateful appreciation of the comfort and assistance' she hais received from the people of the Dominion: “The affection expressed for my husband and the assurances of prayers on his behalf to the Almighty, in whom he believed, have been a revelation to us, and have been a o-reait comifoirt during the past six weeks-. ,We are all most grateful.’ —(Signed) C. A. Massey. In reply to the King’s message. Mrs. Massey cabled ; “My heartfelt- thanks for your Majesties’ most gracious and sympathetic message. The knowledge that your Majesties join in our sorrow is a Isolace to. me and my family in our bereavement. We are proud of the unblemished record of service to the Empire, and are honoured by such recognition by our King and Queen. Christina Massey.” OTHER, MESSAGES. The following message was received from Earl Jellicoe : “Lady Jellicoe and I mourn with New Zealand the loss of your Great Prime Minister. Please convey our deepest sympathy with Mrs. Maissey and the Government.” The following telegram, was received by His Excellency the GovernorGeneral from Colonel L. C. M. Amerv (Secretary of State for the Coloniesi) : “Please convey to Mrs. Massey and family most sincere sympathy from Mrs. Amery. and myself. I deeply regret the loss of an old friend and of one whose faith in the Empire never faltered.”

On behalf of the Maoris, of the Poverty Bay district the following message, signed by Messrs. W. Pitt and \V. Delano re, on behalf of the Whanau, Apanui, Ngatiporou, Aitanga, Amahiki, Rongcwhakaata. and Tamunuhiiri tribes, has been forwarded to the . Native Alinister (Hon. J. G. Coates): “We deeply deplore the loss, and our hearts are sad ait King Death having taken toll.' 'The giant totara, has fallen and the earth has been shaken to its foundation. Farewell, old man. Go to the home of your ancestors, and the multitude take word hence that the generations who follow are aiming bo carry on, the good .works founded by them. Take our love to. Seddon; neither of von will ever be forgotton by you:- Maori people nor your pakeh'a brethren. Mav the good work you have done in this world be an, everlasting monument to your memory, and the younger generation. Farewell 1 Farewell ! Go hence to the home where alii mud follow, and leave us, here as orphans to mourn our loss. Kindly convey to the house of mourning, and especially to the widow, our deepest affection and sympathy in her irreparable loss.” The following telegram has been sent by Lady Carroll to Airs. Maissev: “Deepest sympathy in your irreparable loss of a, good man. father and husband. Ala.y the knowledge that the whole of the people of the Dominion, nay the’ Nation,, mourn with you support you in this time of trial.'’

When the Supreme Court adjourned this, -morning a.s, a mark of respect, Judge Ada,ms said that the loss sustained by the death, oif the Premier would be felt throughout the Empire. He was not only a local statesman, but rendered unique and remarkable service during the war. Schools and public offices were cllosecl in Christchurch and flags were halfmasted everywhere. PALMERSTON N., May 11.

The Supreme Court adjourned till tomorrow after tribute bad been paid to the late Mr. Alaisisey by Mr. Justice Reed and the Law Society. His Honor .said that by the death of Mr. Afasisey there had passed a. great New Zealander, and an honest, a.iid upright man whose, heart, and soul were devoted to New Zealand.

Sir James Al’en. High Commissioner, cabled to Sir Francis Bell expressing his profound regret at Mr. Massey’s death and sympathy for the family. “Death has taken from us an ardent Empire builder, and the United Kingdom, the Dominions, and the Colonies will all regret Air. Massey’s passing,” wrote Sir James Allen. Air. S. M. Bruce. Australian Prime Minister, in his cabled condolences says: “The outstanding quality of this great statesman will long be remembered by the citizens of the Empire. His place in the council of the Empire will be difficult to fill,”

A DISUSED GUNPIT

A COLLEAGUE’S IMPRESSIONS.

“TO KNOW HIM WAS TO LOVE HIM.” (By Telegraph.—Special to Star). ' " WELLINGTON, May 12. The oldest member of the Reform Party in Parliament is now Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, Al mister for Defence, who lias declared in an interview, his first impression of the members of 25 years ago was that the late Mr. Massey would make his mark. “It was not long after that when the late Mr. Massey leader of our party, and in that capacity he .showed judgment, tact, and fearlessness. 1 believe lie was devoid of fear; certainly he always showed a brave face in the House, no' matter how strenuous the opposition, and he certainly showed no fear on an occasion which I need not particularise. when he was in Christchurch and when he was hustled by a crowd. It has been said that the late Mr. Massey was a. staunch Imperialist. and I have reason to know that from my position As Minister for Defence. Without doubt he served the Empire with unswerving loyalty. Though he criticised my defence estimates keenly in the Cabinet, and Iliad to submit a reduction in them, he never grudged expenditure with regard to the Navy, which he looked upon as the first line of defence of the Empire, and I remember, with regard to the South African war, that lie 1 always backed Mr Seddon in ' the expenditure on our land forces to assist the Empire in that struggle.” A WAR INCIDENT.

“Yes, said Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, in reply to a leading question, “it is quite true that during the Great War there was a notable, incident in the late Mr. Massey’s career as Prime Minister, when he took a stand on the question of adequate protection of our main bodv when it was awaiting departure for what was then believed to be Europe. He refused to allow the transport to sail without an adequate warship convoy, and it is quite true that he threatened to. resign his position as Prime Minister unless this protection was afforded. The late Mr Massey was an Imperialist, hut he put New Zealand and our men before everything, and thus showed first conisderat.ion for the life of our New Zealand troops. “To know the late Mr Massey well was to love him, and 1 am sure that all members of Ills party agree that apart from his ability as a leader, :t was affection which really held us together, not- only in those strenuous times when we formed a small party of fifteen in the Opposition, but in the more prosperous times when wo held a majority.”

LATE MR. MASSEY’S TOMB

WELLINGTON May 12. The gunpit at Point Halswell, which is being converted into a tomb for the late Prime Minister, is about ICO feet above the water and was constructed in 1886. It occupies the most commanding point in the harbour, and was suggested as a site for a national soldiers’ memorial. An eight-inch gun once occupied the pit, but has now been dismantled and rolled down the hillside.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

COMMENCES' AT 1.30 P.M

WELLINGTON, May 12. Mr. Massey’s funeral procession will leave Parliament Buildings at 1.30 p.m on Thursday. It will he a motor funeral. The use of a gun carriage was suggested' but the idea was abandoned owing to the time required by such a vehicle to cover the seven miles route to Point Halswell. The route will be via Newtown and Constable Street, over the hill into Kilbirnie, and thence following the shores ot Evans Bay round to Shelley Bay, whence the procession detour, s up the hillside. The hearse will not be able to approach nearer than five hundred yards to the grave. Bands will be stationed at intervals along the route and the “Last Post” will he sounded by a trumpeter at the graveside.

TRAIN ARRANGEMENTS

NIGHT TRAIN ON WEDNESDAY

The Minister for Railways, Hon. J. G. Coates, telegraphed Mr J. R. Corrigan, M.P., advising that special train facilities at reduced fares were being provided in connection with the funeral of the late Rt. Hon. AY. F. Massey. A special train would leave New Plymouth for AVellington at 7 o’clock on AVednesday night, and leaving Hawera at 9.12. A train Avill leave Wellington at 8.50 p.m. on Thursday. Full particulars are given by advertisement in this issue. 'The Railway Department advertise in this issue that tickets at reduced fares will be issued to AVellington in connection with the funeral of the Prime Alinister.

JUDGE FRAZER’S TRIBUTE

“SOUND STATESMANSHIP AND STRONG lAIPERIALISA!.”

DUNEDIN, Alay 11. The Arbitration Court adjourned. Judge Frazer, in the course of a panegyrie, said that a fitting tribute should be paid to the soundness of Mr Alassey’s statesmanship in the wider sense and to his strong Imperialism—not the imperialism of Kaiserism, seeking to dominate and subdue the world, hut the Imperialism of the assemblage of free peoples whose progress helped rather than hindered the progress of the other nations of the world. By his death New Zealand and the Empire had lost an outstanding figure, a man of unquestionable personal integrity, a strong, sagacious statesman, a loyal, honourable and devoted servant of the State. He had been diligent in his business, had stood before kings and the great ones of the earth and won their^confidence and regard, and had commanded the respect of the lesser men of whom the proverb speaks. Now that he had gone to rest with the consciousness of duty well done, sympathy went out to the widow and family. It was hoped that the knowledge of the example of his life would he a source of inspiration to this generation and to generations to come, and would in some measure afford them consolation in their bereavement. RESOLUTIONS OF SYMPATHY. WELLINGTON, May 12. At a special meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Alliance, the president made special reference to the death of the Prime Minister, and the meeting nassod p resolution of sympathy with Airs Alassey and family, after which the meeting adjourned. Similar resolutions' were passed by the Schools Committees’ Association and the Christmas Gifts Fund. SYMPATHY AT SYDNEY. (Received Mav 12, 10.40 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 12. The flag at the New Zealand Government office was flown, at half-mast.

Several Consular representatives and a number of members of the New Zealand .community in Sydney called upon the representative, Air Blow, to express their sorrow. FRANKLY N~ELECTOB, AT E:. A POSSIBLE CANDIDATE. AUCKLAND, Alay 12. It is understood that there is every 'ikelihood of AD. J. N. Alassey, farmer of Puni, near Pukekohe, being a candidate for Iris father’s seat in the JYanklvn electorate. In connection with the death of the Rt. Hon. \V. F. Alassey, Air J. R. Corrigan, ALP., last night received the following telegram from the actingPrime Minister, Sir Francis Bell: “ATy colleagues and I desire to express to you our gratitude for your kindly mes■age of sympathy in the great lo.se suffered by the Government and the country.” At the monthly meeting of the Joll Dairy Company yesterday deep regret wa s expressed by the chairman at the ’amented death of the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, and a vote of sincere sympathy was passed with Airs. Alassey and family in their bereavement. At the meeting of dairymen at New Plymouth yesterday afternoon reference was made by the chairman (Air. W. C. Green) in 'sympathetic terms to ’he death of the Prime Alinister, and a resolution of sympathy with the relatives in then’ bereavement was carried in silence. The meeting then adjourned ?br ten minutes as a token of respect to the late Air. AY. F. Massey,