OBITUARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17982, 26 December 1918, Page 5

OBITUARY.

W. H. PAGE,

Australian and Jh.Z. Cabie Association. NEW i.'"OIIK, December

.Mr Walter times fago, ex-Ambassa-dor to tfiwat .omnia, ib ucuu.

(Received Deeem-bar :.'o, i».o p.m.) WASIiLWIO'-N, December &J.

The totuio UL-jJiU'iiuoiit in a inomorauuuui xcuoiub wuut -u' oevoted, iuuiauil to taie tasli oi brining' uuout a ooiupiece UiiuciaL,,iuuiii o bcfivoeu uietwo great uuttoas. ins uiwipreuiwuiis 01 wis w.isnes oi uis (lOVei'iiUißiic met «iui i.uu ui&uebt orutsr OI SlMJCiibi ill tUfc) UtSIICUW uv-tiuida.tiu.uiis entrusted, to illOl, VVIUCU UluXUbttU i*no bigueat approval. (ikU - \vutouA- i.i. Pago was born in Norm Uiuumia m lq>j\j. tic was ecutor ol the "iioruui" Ct\ow long Uuiii iotfu to telio, tue " Amuiwe iuonwuy' (..boston) uom robO to lotto aua uie •• V» oriii'3 Vvorii" (ascw iorlsj iroiu lb\A> to lyl!*- lii li)iO no became American AliiuaAsauur to UruuA Dinani, a poali bo OCUUpatsU blli lli-iiWUtu tiullaeU Lio reurwueuii leeent.ij''.^

AN ENGLISH TitIBUTJB.

If Mr i'ago were hicnnou. to trouble liiuiSbii aoout bis jj'wi.uinu pupuuinitf, .(suiu tbo JuoxiUou •■ Vniij 'iOiujjrapa w.ian no reureu;, bo iviu eo gauuieu to know too universal regret w;at cue news oi qui uppiouciiiiiij i-owreawnt will cause, bot in juunuuu urny, but Sniouguout Uie jMi&nsu-spoaUiiig worm, aut no small pare ox uu» ueep wieccion ami i-topeot iu wmcb lie is ueui by all n tni a country is duo to tiie «u>b that never onco during a penou tnat Has ovur-teuiiifced uuuiy tfflfct lepuiationa hat. no .uniud aside to win a aiugio patient lroiu any paper, party or people oa eitiier biuu ol wo AUbuim. btraigutiorwaord aud true to tiie lujju anu unbcult ideal bo sufbetoro baa Horn aao outset of "bis great utsi, au Pago baß had the gut ol ad diplomatic u its DWbaps ol an buaiau gnus, symuauuy. Jtloiiw worked us te* AmoaskouuTh have over wonted at the U t ui bt.Jamcwj but lus work tons been car-i-iml out without ostentation ana without oven tbo givmg oi a Single chance ol recognition or gratitude. He has luiiiuea iu» own avowed mierprowitioa oi tuo duties oi an Ambassador- to ,1 0 tbo day's work as weit as possible and to promote goodwill. Ho baa, wituout warning, been called upon to play the most diibcult ro.e—with tbe exception of that oi his President-that Uoa oeen demanded oi any American within diplomatic memory, and he has risen to the height oi this awful test. Almost as a by-product oi tins great work*, ho has won the love oi .the people to whom he was sent, aud his departure will be felt as a personal as well as a political ioss by all. When, in the last days of Marcb, l!;lo, it was rumoured that Mr Whitelaw keid'a successor was to be a man connected both with literature and business—for besides having been editor of the "Atlantic Monthly" and of " The World's Work," Mr Page was a, hard-working partner in the groat publishing firm or Doubleday and Pago —his coming was awaited in London with more than usual interest. It was a trial to follow so universally popular and notable an Ambassador as Mr Whiteiaw Iteid, but those few who thought that the latter's princely hospitality in Dorchester House has counted even as a feather's weight in the high esteem ho had won over here were soon convinced of their mistake. Only us a man among men, given hard work to do for both countries, each Ambassador would ask to bo judged, and the chance of the last four years gave to Mr Page rather than Mr lleid the splendid burden which the former has to splendidly borne. We have said that Mr Page brought the gift of sympathy to his work. With it, as with a key, ho opened the heart of this nation, and understood it as few diplomatic representatives ' have ever understood the nature and the temper of the people to whom they .wore sent. And it is true, also, that whore this deep and perfect insight has been obtained it has too often been at the cost of misunderstanding and suspicion among his own countrymen. But no man ever enjoyed the confidence find the help of both peoples more than the retiring Ambassador. Ho knew the essential oneness of outlook that existed on both side 3 of tho Atlantio in the graver matters of life, and disagreements in moro points of detail seemed to lose their importance and their dignity in_ the hands of this shrewd and genial interpreter of human interests. He know what to say, and ho knew when to say it. Tho task of expl.ain'ing to the Allies the delay that took place before the United States declared horself was hard indeed, and in other hands tho bonds of sympathy might well have bcon strained. But Mr Page never failed. Wise and patient!, he abided tho time, and his long tact and unvarying courtesy were moro than juslified. It is no part of our intention here to attempt an analysis of Mr Page's priva'te feelings during the earlier years of the war. Perhaps, however, the story may bo quoted that on one occasion when ho was asked if he did not find it difficult to remain exactly neutral, he replied, with a smile, 'Neutral? There was never anything in this world as neutral as the Embassy." He paused, and added without 'a smile, "But, Lordl it takes us all our time."

JAMES LILLY. Jho ■ nth of Mr James Lilly, of Cooper's Creek, is reported. Mr* Lilly, who was born in Suffolk, arrived at Lyttelton by tlie ship Glenmark in 1860. He found employment at bush work and road contracting and was one of the first to settle at Woodside.