LEADER'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21617, 9 October 1933, Page 11

LEADER'S DEATH

LATE MR. 11. E. HOLLAND MANY TRIBUTES PAID LOSS TO PARLIAMENT ; ■: 1 ■ PRIME MINISTER'S SYMPATHY Many tributes wero paid to the late Jlr. Holland by his in Parliament when news *of his death was piade known. The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. J'orbes, in a statement issued in Wellington, said: —"It camo as a shock to nie when I heard the sad news of the pudden death of Mr. Holland, Leader pf the Opposition. "Those of us who were in tho House on Friday afternoon little thought that no more would wp see his familiar face. j{ o was a forceful debater and his speeches wero of a high order, giving evidence of careful study and serious thought, but 110 matter how heated the debate became he never dealt an unfair blow. "In arrangements that sometime? ]iad to be made between myself asi leader of tho House and himself as leader of the Opposition his word was his bond, and while it was not lightly fiven, when it was, it was never departed from in letter or in,' spirit. He was a close student of Parliamentary history and procedure and was most jealous in upholding the dignity of the jfouse and preserving the rights of members. Sterling Qualities "His death leaves Parliament the'' poorer, and there is no doubt that his party has lost a. leader whose only thought was for its interests. My long association with him in Parliament, although in different political camps, gave a knowledge of his sterling qualities and made mo feel that I could count on him as a friend. My deepest sympathy is with his wife and family in their sad bereavement." The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Finance and joint leader of the Coalition, stated: —"The death of Mr. Holland, Leader of His Majesty's Opposition in New Zealand, removes from our midst a very prominent Parliamentarian and citizen and will be deeply and widely regretted, particularly in tho tragic circumstances of his last hours. His desire and determination to ]>ay his last respects and tribute to an outstanding figure in the Maori world was typical of his spirit. Those near to him knew that the physical effort entailed would be a severe tax upon him, 'out he would not be dissuaded. It seems hard to realise now that, but a few short hours ago, when asked how ho felt after the exertion of climbing the hill, his assurance was readily given that he felt much better. "Without Thought of Self" "In the wide area of politics, over ma.ny years past, Mr. Holland played a prominent part. 1 believe 1 am doing him no injustice when I say his mind and his actions indicated a preference for radical and socialistic theories, but I feel that he earnestly held that his convictions and his views were for the i;ood of the community as a whole., "It is as Leader of the Opposition and in trying and sometimes heated conditions that the test of a man is often applied. Under \hese circumstances Air. Holland was always found to be a man of his word. I have never known him to go back on his word. A well-informed man, widely read, and with an extensive knowledge of world conditions, a student who applied himself to his onerous duties without thought of himself, Mr. Holland has commanded the respect of all his follow members of Parliament. "I am sure I am expressing the feelings of all those members closely Associated with 1110 in extending to his wife and family our deepest sympathy in ifceir sad and sudden loss. To this I would like to add my own tribute to Holland's many excellent qualities and my personal regard for him as a man." Sorrow of the Maoris "From the standpoint of the Maori rr.ee," said Sir Apirana Ngata, Minister of Native Affairs, "Mr. Holland's death is most regrettable. Ho went to a great deal of trouble to attend the funeral of Te Rata Mahuta. Ever since Mahuta's death was announced to him last Monday he kept in constant touch with AVaahi Pa in making arrangements for himself and for other members of the Labour Party to attend the funeral. "The natives at Waahi greatly appreciated his attendance at the obsequies to-day. Mr. Holland has always taken a keen interest in the Maoris and their affairs, and always desired to know more about them. I tried to dissuade him from making the 150 ft. climb to the grave of Mahuta, .but ho replied that, when on a visit to Samoa, he climbed Vailima to see the gravo of I'obert Louis Stevenson. That climb, he thought, had been more severe than the one Which faced him to-day. He said lie ttas curious to know how the Maoris Juried their dead. "The relatives of Mahuta have expressed the desire that Mr. Holland s body should be brought to Waahi Pn to-morrow to enable the natives to show their respect to his memory. Arrangements have been made for this to be 'lone. I wish to express the sincere sympathy felt by the Maoris for Mr. Holland's relatives."