THE UPPER HOUSE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 287, 7 November 1925, Page 2

THE UPPER HOUSE

NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 6. In addition to Mr L. M. Isitt, Sir 11. Heaton Rhodes, Hon. D. H. Guthrie and Mr George Witty have been appointed to tho Legislative Council. All have served tho Dominion for a number of years in the Lower House. HON. D. 11. GUTHRIE. Hon. David Henry Guthrie is well known in the Manawatu district. Born at Abbeylein, Ireland, 69 years ago, he came to New Zealand in 1876, and for 26 years ho was engaged in teaching. He took up land in 1881, and soon became interested in local affairs. He served for six years on the Kiwitea County Council and for ten years on the Wanganui Education Board, and he was prominent in dailying and active in the interests of the Farmers’ Union. It was in 1908 that Mr Guthrie entered Parliament as the representative of Oroua, and after the 1911 elections he became Whip to the Reform Party. He attained Cabinet rank in February, 1918, as Minister of Lands, and he did notable service in connection with land settlement and repatriation. Owing to ill-health lie resigned his portfolio last year, retaining a seat in tho Executive Council. SIR HEATON RHODES. Sir Robert Heaton Rhodes is a representative of one of the oldest Canterbury families, haying been born at Purau, Lyttelton, in 1861. He was educated at Christ’s College, Christchurch, and then at BrasenoseCollege, Oxford, taking his M.A. degree m 1887 and being admitted as barrister to the Inner Temple. For many years past, however, he lias not practised law, but be has been a successful farmer at Otahuna, Tai Tapu (near Christchurch) and has won fame as an horticulturist and especially as a grower of narcissi. Sir Heaton Rhodes first essayed to enter Parliament in 1899, unsuccessfully contesting the Heathcote seat. In 1899 ho was returned for Ellesmere, and lie continued to represent that seat until the last Parliament. At one time lie was the only Reform member in Canterbury, his personal popularity making his scat safe ip, a province that was otherwise entirely given over to Liberalism. He was a member of Mr Massey’s first Cabinet, being Postmaster-General and Minister of Defence, but he retired when the National Government was formed. During tho Great War lie was New Zealand Red Cross Commissioner iu London, and on Gallipoli and elsewhere. On his return to the Dominion ho aguin entered the Cabinet, Defence being his principal portfolio. He has always been particularly keen in defence matters. For many years he was in command of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, and in the South African War he commanded the Canterbury Mounted Brigade, receiving the Queen’s Medal, with four clasps. He was knighted in 1920. HON. G. WITTY. Hon. George Witty, who has been in Parliament sinco the 1902 election, is 69 years of age, having been born in Yorkshire on June 4, 1866. He arrived in New Zealand on April 12, 1875, and settled in the Templeton district, near Christchurch, becoming a farmer. In 1597 he entered local politics as a member of the Templeton Road Board, and for somo years he devoted a great deal of time to public alfairs, serving on the Selwyn County Council, Templeton Domain Board, Cashmere Hills Domain Board, Christchurch Domain Board, Lyttelton Harbour Board, and Riccarton Licensing Committee. He won the Riccarton seat from Hon. G. W. Russell in 1902 and held it continuously until his retirement at the close of last Parliament. Mr Wliitty is a keen sportsman, holding office as a steward of tho Canterbury Park Trotting Club* HON. L. M. ISITT. Hon. Leonard Monk Isitt, a native of Bedford, England, is 70 wears of age. Ho left England. with tho object of gaining experience in New Zealand and establishing a branch of a soft goods warehouse, but lie entered the Methodist ministry in 1876 and was ordained in 1881 He became a leading prohibitionist and a popular lecturer, resigning his ministerial charge in order to devote himself to the prohibition cause. On four occasions he visited Great Britain at the invitation of tho United Kingdom Alliance. On the death of Mr T. E. Taylor he took up politics and successfully contested the Christchurch North seat, which he won on August 17, 1911, and retained until the end of the last Parliament. Mr Isitt has served for some years on tho Canterbury College Board of Governors and has taken a prominent place in tho Boy Scouts’ Association. One of his sons was killed in tho Great 'War. The other, Captain L. Isitt, is now in charge of tho Government aerodrome.