EXPRESSIONS OF LOSS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18332, 23 February 1923, Page 8

EXPRESSIONS OF LOSS.

PRIME MINISTER'S GRIEF. TOUCHING TRIBUTE PAID. A LOYAL COMRADE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON. Thursday. 3 The Prime j Minister paid the following - touching tribute to, the late Sir William \ Herries:<—"For over a-quar(er of a' cen- - tury, Sir William Herries and I have ' been closely associated in connection with ' the politics of this country, and I can 1 say this, that no one could have had a ' better friend or more loyal comrade. A man of sound judgment, absolutely ( straight and reliable in all his dealings, . generous to a fault, disdaining everything i small or mean, he was without exception i the noblest man I have ever met. As • Shakespeare says, 'his life was gentle, and J the elements so mixed in him that Nature ] might stand up and say to all the world, , this was a man.' ' "His place in the councils of the nation < will be very hard to fill. Popular and re- : epected even by his opponents, he was ' loved by his fellow-Ministers and those ' with whom he worked. Lately, failing health .prevented him from taking the ac- ' tive part in public affairs to which he had i been accustomed, but his interest, both in Empire matters and in the politics of his ; own country, continued to the last. "During his illness' he never murmured , or complained. His last words in answer J to a question were, T am all,right.' : Hiß ' last duty was at the opening of Parliament, taking the oath of allegiance to his Sovereign, and, in that connection, those ( who knew him as I did know that there , was no more loyal, subject of the King or • citizen of the Empire than the statesman ; who has passed away, and whose loss we ; mourn, but whose memory will be cher- ■ ished by a very wide .circle of friends, both in the Parliament of the country and \ outside of it." .~———— ■ , SIR JOSEPH WARD'S REGRET. '•v. ' "A LOSS TO THE COUNTRY." [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] \ TAURANGA. Thursday. N News of the death of Sir William Her- f ries was received here to-day with deep ; regret. On receipt of the intelligence, ■ | the flags of the various buildings were half-masted. A number of prominent residents intend to be present at the funeral at Te Aroha. The Mayor of Tauranga has received the following telegram from Sir Joseph "Ward: —"Though politically opposed to your late member, I wish to convey to his constituents of all shades of politics my deep regret that one of such outstanding qualities should have been removed by the Great Harvester Who recognises no distinction. Sir William Herries had opponents but no enemies, and men of hie calibre and long experience are a loss to the country. His valuable services will be greatly missed by his constituents and the country, as also by all who had the pleasure of knowing him." SYMPATHY OF PRESSMEN. "URBANITY AND COURTESY." • [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Thuraday. At a general meeting of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association, the death of Sir : William Herries was announced. The chairman, Mr. C. Earle, said that it was fitting that representatives of the newspaper press gathered from all parts of the Dominion should express their regret at . the death of a man who had for a long series of years rendered distinguished service in the public life of the Dominion. On his motion, it was resolved that a letter of condolenco be sent to the relatives of the late Sir William Herries. At the annual meeting of the United Press Association, a motion was carried recording its deep regret at the death of Sir William Herries, who had for many years taken a great part in the administration of the public affairs of the Dominion. His political record was one .of unblemished probity and honour throughout his long years of public service, and ' the unfailing courtesy and urbanity which ] had been among his distinguishing char- I acteristics had endeared him to a wide : circle of friends, who deeply mourn his : loss. -v / A FRIEND OF THE ARAWAS. < NATIVES DEEPLY AFFECTED. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ! ROTOEUA. Thursday. News of the death of Sir William Herries was received with profound regret by all classes. The natives are deeply affected, the Arawas always regarding him as a particular friend. __ __ __ t GLOOM FALLS ON TE AROHA. CAPABLE REPRESENTATIVE. [BY TELEGRAPH.—-OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TE AROHA, Thursday. ' Quite a gloom was cast over tho com- 1 munity to-day when the intimation of the ' death of Sir William Herries was received. \ The district has lost a warm, valuable, ! . and sincere friend, and a capable represen- j ! tative. _____ i INDUSTRIALISTS' REGRET. [BY TELEGRAPH.-— ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHTJRCH. Thursday. ' On the motion of the president, a reso- : ' lution expressing deep regret at the death ; of Sir William Herries was carried at the annual conference of the New Zealand ' Industrial Corporation to-day. i ""' i \ ' '. I