SIR R. STOUT'S DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20621, 21 July 1930, Page 8

SIR R. STOUT'S DEATH.

NOTED CAREER ENDED. SERVICE AS PREMIER. FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE. GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S TRIBUTE, [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] WELLINGTON. Sunday. The dentil occurred at 9.30 a.m. yesterday of the Rt. Hon Sir Robert Stout, P.C., K.C.M.G., in his 86th j-ear. Sir Robert was twice Premier of New Zealand and four times, during bis term as Chief Justice, was Administrator of the Dominion.

Sir Robert had been in poor health for the past six months, and his death was not unexpected. He passed away peacefully in the presence of members of his family. As a mark of respect flags were flown half-mast on all public buildings. It is announced that the funeral will be strictly private, and it is requested that no flowers be sent. The date and hour of the funeral is not being disclosed for familv reasons.

A tribute by Parliament will be paid on Tuesday afternoon, when, following formal business, a motion of sympathy will be moved. The House will then adjourn, probaoly until 7.30 p.m. only. A tribute to the memory of Sir Robert Stout was paid yesterday by the Gover-nor-General, Lord 13!edisloe, who said tint four not.at>le figures in New Zealand political life had died since lie had been in New Zealand. Of these—Sir Joseph Ward, Sir Thomas Mackenzie, Sir Robert Stout and Sir Maui Pomare—three baa been Prime Ministers.

" It is four months ago to-day that I arrived in your delightful country,"' said His Excellency, " and in that time no less than four of your distinguished public servants have passed to their rest. Notable among them is the one who died this morning. Sir Robert Stout lias served his country for an exceptionally long period. He was a man of profound knowledge, of peerless ideals and of highest integrity. He lield for 26 years the highest position which a lawyer could occupy." Tributes to Sir Robert Stout's long career in the service oi the State were paid by tlie Prime Minister, Hon. G. W. Forbes, the Leader of the Reform Party, . Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, and the Leader of the Labour Party, Mr. H. E. Holland. Mr. Forbes said a great deal of the historv of New Zealand was associated with Sir Robert's lite. Mr. Coates said that running through Sir Robert's life there was .a broad strain of humanity, his inclinations leaning always toward helping those unfortunately placed. A link had been severed with the earliest history of politics and pioneering in New Zealand. Mr. Holland expressed the regret of himself and the Labour Party and referred to Sir Robert Stout's political services and. service as Chief Justice. He said Sir Robert's work in connection with the founding of the educational system would be a monument to his greatness. '

TRIBUTES IN AUCKLAND. . EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY. - Reference to Sir Robert Stout's long and close association with the Unitarian Church was made by the Rev. Wilna L. Constable at the Unitarian Church, Ponsonbv Road, last evening. Sympathy was expressed with Lady Stout and with members of the Wellington Unitarian Church,, of which Sir Robert had been president for many years. The congregation stood as a mark of sympathy and respect and a special hymn was sung. At the meeting held by the Rationalist Association at the Majestic Theatre last evening, Mr. R. F. Way stated that t ; ie death of Sir Robert Stout had removed a very prominent Rationalist from the scene of a lifelong combat with the forces which were struggling to destroy the secular education of New Zealand. Sir Robert was the patron and a life member of the New Zealand Society for the Advancement of Rationalism. Mr. Way said that however one might have disagreed with Sir Robert's political ideas, a genuine observer would be forced to acknowledge that on the question of rationalism, Sir Robert, in politics or out, was consistent to the end. As a mark of respect to his memory the audience stood in silence for a few moments.