FLORAL TRIBUTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 138, 15 May 1925, Page 5

FLORAL TRIBUTES

WREATHS AT THE GRAVE, t

ARRANGEMENTS FOR DISPLAY. Per Frees Association. WELLINGTON, May 15. A temporary pyramidal cover has been ereoted over tho gunpit whero Mr Massey's coffin lies and this is so arranged to enable tho wreaths which could not be taken to the graveside yesterday to be displayed. A guard will bo stationed there for the next few days and it is anticipated! that there will be a large influx of visitors at the week-end.

MEMORIAL SERVICE. SHANNON’S TRIBUTE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

A combined memorial service to the late Rt. Hon, W> F. Massey was held in the Mainland Theatre, Shannon, yesterday afternoon. There was a large congregation of citizens and tho service was conducted by the Rev. A. Btewart (Presbyterian) and Rev. Farnell (Anglican). The stage was draped in black, with a photo?;iaph of the deceased statesman at tho oot of a flag-draped pedestal. On the stage were seated the members of the Shannon Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce.

The Shannon Choral Society assisted with the singing of the hymns, with Mrs Jones as organist. The service opened with tlie singing of the National Anthem, followed by the hymn, “O, Giod, our Help in Ages Past,” prayer and reading by Rev. Farnell, then the hymn, -“Now the Labourer’s task is O’er,” and a reading and prayer by Rev. Stuart. AN INSPIRING ADDRESS.

The Rev. Stuart, in his address said:— “Friends, death, it is said, is a great divider, but it is also a great unifier. Death has brought us together to-day in the spirit of brotherhood and sorrow. Irrespective of race, creed or opinion, we have met hero in tho bond of sympathy and under the sense of a great and irreparable loss. It is a consolation and a tribute to the worth of the great statesman whom we mourn to know that we are not alone in our sorrow, that the burden of grief is shared universally. “The heart of tho Motherland and the full sympathy of the peoples of the great commonwealth of nations, who compose our Empire, are with us to-day. The eyes and sympathies of those nations who were our Allies in the great world warfare, now but an ugly memory, as also those nations who were opposed to us then, with the suilors on tho seven seas, have paid their tribute to that good and great man, that prince of statesmen, the late Right Hon. W. F. Massey. All that is now mortal of our late beloved Prime Minister will soon be laid to rest in the cold silence of the tomb prepared on Point Halswell. No more fitting and appropriate resting plaoe could have been found — where by the murmur of the ocean, the lapping of the waves against the rock, tho shrill piping of tho seagull to his mate, nature has provided a ceaseless dirge till the Resurrection Morn. His death we all deploro, but his memory we shall always revere; not merely becuuso of his great record as a statesman; not because of his 13 years’. Premiership of this Dominion during the most difficult aud trying period in our history and in tho history of our Empire; not because of the valuable service ho rendered on the Imperial War Cabinet of 1917-18; nor yet because of his work ftn the Peace Conference in Paris during 1919; not because of his recognised aud sturdy Imperialism and proved statesmanship shown in tho Empire Conferences of 1921; not because as the last of the Great War Premiers of the Empire to die in harness —but for the reason that he strove as perhaps no other Imperiul statesman has striven, to lift a battered civilisation out of the reeking shambles of Eu. rope to that plane .of righteousness that exalts nations, and in the aftermath of the stagnation which follows all convulsions such as we have passed through no one could have done more, through his wise counsel and leadership, his example with toil of head und hand, to build up in this Dominion homes and environment more worthy of the sacrifices offered. Love of country and love of humanity were two characteristics evident in the life of Mr Massey, and that is the ideal example that has been left to us. THE MAYOR’S ADDRESS. The Mayor (Mr W. Murdoch) in moving a vote of defep and heartfelt sympathy from the people of Shannon to Mrs Massey and family, asked the audience’s indulgence for a brief space. “I could not move the motion,” said the . speaker, “without some expression of feeling, having come in contact with the late Mr Massey on several occasions, and on each of these I was struck with one thing. That was that I had stood in the presence, not only of a great man, but better still, a good man. His patience to listen, his kindly advice, often with a little sparkle of innocent humour, made one feel quite comfortable in his presence and at once accept Mr Massey a 3 a true friend—and he was that indeed. One need not speak of Mr Massey’s patriotism. The whole Empire has spoken of it from all parts of the globe. Even in death he has made our Dominion shine in a glorious light in having such a leader. The whole world is paying tribute to his memory. I will try and give you, so far as my limited vocabulary can go, some expression showing the greatness of the deceased statesman as an Imperialist. lam sure that Ids wish when his eyes should be turned to behold for the last time the sun in heaven that he may not be shining on the broken and dishonoured fragments of a once glorious Empire, but that their last lingering glance should rather behold the glorious Union Jack, honoured throughout the earth, still full high, everywhere sj#2ad over each Dominion in character of living light, blazing on its ample folds as they float over the sea and over the land. Those sentiments, dear to every true British heart, liberty, justice, freedom and unity, now and for ever, one and inseparable. Those words convey some little idea lof tho feeling and conviction of our late Prime Minister. Longfellow has written: ‘Lives of great men remind us wo should make our lives sublime, and departing leave behind us footprints m the sands of time.’ Never were those words more applicable to any man than to tlie late Mr Massey. “It may be said of Mr Massey that he bore malice towards none, had charity for all, with firmness in tho right as God gave him to see it. Ho strove to finish the work, to build up the nations onwards, to care for him who had borne the pattie, and for "his widow and orphans, lhe Empire will mot soon forget him. History will record his deeds and we trust will do justice to his memory.” The Mayor then moved as follows: “This congregation of residents of Shannon and surrounding districts desires to express their sincere sympathy with Mrs Massey and family in the great loss they have suffered in the death of tho Right Hon. W. F, Massey and hereby record their appreciation and admiration of his distinguished and devoted services to New Zealand and tho Empire.” After the pronouncement Of tlie Benediction the Dead March (Saul) waj played by Miss A. Aim, A.T.C.L.

memorial Service at foxton. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Yesterday shops closed at one o’clock as a tribute to the memory of the late Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey. A combined church eorvioe was held in the town hail at 2.30 p.m., the local Silver Band parading from the pest office to the hall. Owing to the in dement weather there was not a very large attendance. The ceremony was conducted by the ministers of local churohes and tlie Salvation Army captain. Mr M. E. Jperreau (Mayor) presided. The servioe was commenced with the singing of the National Anthem. The Mayor briefly spoke on the object of the service and made referenoe to the passing of the great statesman. The hymns, “0, God Our Help, i

“Nearer My God to Thee,” “Lead Kindly Light” and “Abide with Me,” were sung, led by” the band. Prayers were given by Rev. Peryman (Methodist Church), and a passage of Scripture was read by Captain Stone (Salvation Army). Rev. F. McDonald (Presbyterian Church) delivered a very fine address and made feeling reference to the late Mr Massey and the great work he had done. The Benediction was pronounced by Rev. Peryman and the service closed with the rendering of tho “Dead March” by the band, conducted by Mr Golder and the sounding of the “Last Post” by Bugler B. Walls.

The local banks and post offioe observed a close holiday all day.

DANISH CONSUL’S MESSAGE.

Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., has received from Mr C. Dahl, of Palmerston North, Danish Consul-General for New Zealand, who at present is on a visit to his native land, a cablegram requesting on behalf of the Danish residents in New Zealand that their deepest sympathy with Mrs Massey be conveyed to her.

At a meeting of the Longburn Sohool Committee, this week, Mr C. Palmer, in moving a vote of sympathy with the widow and family of our late Prime Minister, spoke of his many sterling qualities. Members stood in silßnoe as a mark of respect. At a meeting of the Palmerston North braimh of the Railway Officers’ Institute a motion of sympathy was passed with the relatives of the late Mr Massey.