PARLIAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 30 June 1939, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES i TRIBUTES TO LATE MEMBER United Pies, Amoclatiun] WELLINGTON. This Day. J The House of Representatives met at I 10.30 o'clock this morning. Mr T. L. | MacDonald (National. Mataura) gave 1 notice to ask the Minister of Defence if he would state his reasons for fixing the strength of the territorial forces at 1 16.000 and whether, in view of the sitw. ation in the Far East, it would not be j better to have all physically fit persons trained. The Deputy Leader of the House, the Hon. P. Fraser, then moved a resolution of appreciation of the services, and sympathy with tlie relatives of the late Chairman of Committees, Mr E. J. Howard. After briefly outlining Mr Howard's career, Mr Fraser slated that his death had come as a blow to all members of the House and particularly to those with whom he was associated before he was elected to the House in 1919. His unostentatious and sympathetic understanding and never failing sense of j humour had endeared him to all who I knew him. Mr Howard had been widely j interested in almost every public topic, } and if he had been spared to us he j would have been of even greater assistl ance to this country than he had been : in the past. j The motion was seconded by the ; Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, who stated that Mr Howard's death proved a severe loss both to ihe Labour Party and to the House, where he had been universally popular and a genial Chairman of Committees. Mr Howard was beloved of all and the Opposition joined with members of the Government in expressing sincere regret at his death. An expression or regret and sympathy at Mr Howard’s passing was also voiced by Messrs MacFarlane, J. A. Lee, J. G. Coates, the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. Sullivan), McCombs, Atmore, Schramm, Tirikatcne. Holland. Carr, the Minister; for Housing (the Hon. T Armstrong) and Kyle. LATE MR McLEOD I The Hon. P. Fraser, in paying a tri- ; bute to the late Hon. A. D. McLeod, 1 said he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1919 and represented Wairarapa from then until 1928 and again from 1931 until 1935. He was Minister of Lands from 1924 until 1928, and in 1926 also held the portfolio of Minister of Industries and Commerce. No one who knew him, said Mr Fraser, could but be impressed by his manly character, his straightforward nature and his indomitable courage in fighting for the principles in which he believed. He was a staunch fighter in the ranks of the party to which he belonged, and enjoyed the respect of his political opponents.

Mr Hamilton said Mr McLeod had had a record of which any New Zealander might be proud. He was sure he shortened his life by his work for the public. Other tributes were also paid Mr McLeod by Messrs Roberts, Ransom, Lee Martin, Coates, and T. D. Burnett. A motion of sympathy and appreciation was carried in connection with the late Mr Howard and Mr McLeod and the House adjourned at 1 p.m. until 2.30 p.m.