LIBERAL LEADER DEAD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2171, 2 September 1920, Page 3

LIBERAL LEADER DEAD.

HON. W. D. S. MACDONALD^

SUDDEN DEATH

Wellington, Sept. 1

! The Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, Leader of the Liberal Party in Parliament, died suddPhly at his homo at Kelburn shortly before midnight. It is presumed that heart, failure was the cause of death. Deceased, who was aged SG, leaves a widow and a family of two sons and three daughters. He recently returned from a health recruiting trip to Auckland. He was in Parliament yesterday, and spoke twice. PA IN ELL SHOCK TO FRIENDS. Tiie sad news of the death of the 'Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald was unknown to legislators when they eoneluded their sitting about 1 a.m. The last they saw of (heir old colleague was a hunt 11 o’clock, when ho left for his home. He was (hen cheerful and apparently somewhat better in health than has recently been the ease. About an hour later he look some medicine, for he was still under treatment for neuritis. Almost immo-dintely he was seized with severe pains, and died in a few minutes before outside help could be secured by his wife and daughter. Mr R, W. MeViliy, the Cieneral ’Manager of Railways, who is a near neighbour, was called hurriedly, but Mr MacDonald lord passed away before his arrival. The news has come with a great shock to Ids old colleagues, as Mr MacDonald seomecl to have greatly benefit ted from hospital, treatment and the brief rest, in Auckland, where he underwent an operation upon the sinews of one hand. He had been in poor health for a couple of years, and became worse after a fall last session, when he sustained an awkward fracture of the arm near the elbow. Deceased was born in Victoria s(i \ears ago, and came to New Zealand in bis early manhood. -Ho became manager of the Bank of New Zealand estates at Gisborne in 1887, which position lie held till 1!H)2, during which he (-(inducted a large amount of development' work, clearing 1.0,000 acres of hush. He then became a sheep-farmer on his own account. He entered politics in 1008, and joined the Mackenzie Ministry in 1012. when Ids knowledge of native matters and farming were of great value.

TRIBUTES IN PARLIAMENT

Wellington, Last Night

The House of Representatives; possibly more- by ils eurneslness and (he ("lie oi' dee|) sincerity, limn (lie nnlnre oh (lie speeches, paid n deep Iri'nuie In (he memory of (he Jale Liberal Leader. Hon. W. D. S. MacDonabi. when il passed a resolulion of eomlolenee this afternoon, and immediately adjourned till Thursday. The Premier spoke of the deceased “playing the game" during the war period, his valuable work in. ilie National Cabinet, kindly personal qualities, and complete honesty, which made him a good friend, regardless of parly differences. Similar tributes were paid from all parts of the House, including .Mr Ngata. ■who on behalf of Iho Maoris, lesfilied to deceased’s knowledge, of nali-

ve questions and bis complete sympathy with their diflicnUies. Hlepreseniulives of both the leading political parties will attend the funeral at Gisborne.