POLITICIAN PASSES

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 15 February 1930, Page 9

POLITICIAN PASSES

LATE SIR, THOMAS MACKENZIE. FORMER DOMINION PREMIER, Sir Thomas Mackenzie, whose death from angina pectoris wa,s reported by a Press Association message from Dunedin, yesterday, was 77 years of age. Once Prime Minister ol New Zealand, Sir Thomas was one of the outstanding figures in the Dominion’s political history. He was born at Edinburgh in 1854 a son of David Stewart Mackenzie. He was educated in public schools in Otago and took private tuition to fit him for the varied career that was to follow. He married a daughter of Mr William Noble, of Geelong, Victoria.

After exploration and 'surveying work in the Otago province and experience in farming he entered Parliament as representative of the Clutha electbrate in 1887. Subsequently lie represented Waihemo, Waikouaiti, Taieri and Egmont.

It was when member for Egmont that Sir Thomas was given portfolios in the Ward Ministry, his chief work in the Cabinet being in connection with agriculture. In 1912 Sir Joseph Ward resigned the Premiership and Sir Thomas Mackenzie formed a Government and became Prime Minister. His Ministry' was short-lived, however. The Government survived a short session, but upon the House, assembling in June the Government was- defeated and Mr W. Massey’s, Reform'Government came into being. The High Gommissionership for New Zealand in London was accepted by Sir Thomas in 1912, and this position he held with' distinction, until 1920. In 1910 he received the honour of K.C.M.G. and in 192 Q that of G.C.M.G. and Grand Officer Grown of BelgiumUpon bis return to New Zealand in 1920 Sir Thomas was, appointed to the Legislative Council, and lie took an active part in the debates in that House until near the end of the last session.