LATE GENERAL BOTHA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17256, 4 September 1919, Page 7

LATE GENERAL BOTHA.

TRIBUTES IN THE HOUSE.

SOLDIER AND STATESMAN.

THE DOMINION'S REGRET.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON. Wednesday

In the House of Representatives this evening the Prime Minister, Mr. W. F. Massey. moved that "This House desires to give expression to the deep regret of Parliament and the people of New Zealand caused by the death of General Louis Botha, Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa, and to record its admiration of his manly and honourable career, as a gallant enemy of former years and as a statesman of the Empire since the Transvaal peace.'' Mr. Massey said it was with sincere and deep regret that ho received the news of the death of General Botha. Living with him in Paris, he learned to regard him as one of the most remarkable men he had ever met. Mr Massey proceeded to trace the career of the deceased statesman through the Boer War until he came to lead the Boer Republic out of the wilderness when peaco was made. His death meant "A Prince in Israel is new fallen," and those who had the privilege of knowing him felt not only that had"a great statesman passed away, but also that they had lost a --rue and vital friend.

Sir Joseph Ward said he had known General Botha before he became Premier of South Africa, and had alwavs been greatly impressed by his many fine qualities. Not only was General "Botha loyal to his own country as a soldier, but when circumstances changed and the whole of South Africa came under British rule, he proved just as loyal to his new country. None could meet General Botha, without feeling what a big mau he was. what a generous man he was, and how true a man he was. He lived a hard life, and, as a result of hard experience, became a courageous soldier, and a broad-minded statesman who added lustre to his own nation and to the lustre of the British Empire. He seconded the motion. Sir John Findlay (Hawke's Bay), who attended the Imperial Conference'in 1911 with General Botha, in supporting the motion, paid an eloquent tribiii-e to General Botha's truthfulness and loyalty describing him as the master mind and the guiding hand which brought about the union of South Africa. The motion was carried in silence.