LABOUR'S LOSS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21617, 9 October 1933, Page 8

LABOUR'S LOSS

MR. H. E. HOLLAND DEATH AT HUNTLY SUDDEN HEART SEIZURE COLLAPSE AT FUNERAL CLIMB Ul' STEEP TRACK [nr TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT] HUNTLY. Sunday After an arduous climb up .Taupiri Mountain behind the coffin of Te Rata Mahuta, .the Maori "king," Mr. H. F. Holland. Leader of the Opposition, became ill while the burial service was in progress and died of heart failure at Huntly at 4.45 p.m. to-day. He was 65 years of age. Mr. Holland arrived at Huntly early this morning by the express from Wellington. About 11 a.m., in company with the IH. Hon. J. G. Coates and other members of Parliament, he visited the late "king's" pa at Waahi. Ihe party was welcomed by the various tribal chiefs and Mr. Holland was among those who made speeches in reply to the orations of the native leaders. The visitors were entertained at luncheon in the pa and at 2 p.m. they joined the funeral procession to Taupiri Mountain. The interment was to take place upon a knoll several hundred feet up the hill and the recently-made track leading through the scrub and fern to the grave was not only stoop but muddy as a result of heavy rain, which was kill falling when the procession arrived. Mr. Coates and Mr. Holland were given a place of honour almost immediately behind the party of natives bearing the coffin. Immediate Attention Given Hampered by lameness, from which he had suffered for many years, Mr. Holland was helped in the climb bv Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P. When it was over, he complained of feeling unwell and leaned upon Mr. Jordan's arm. Half-way through the service he became very pale and said to Mr. Jordan, "Hold mo. I feel faint." Members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade gave him a restorative and he rested for a while. When he had recovered sufficiently, he was helped down the hill by ambulance men and others, and was driven to the house of the Mayor of Huntly, Mr. W. C. F. George, whose guest he had been at breakfast. In Good Spirits During Journey It was then about half-past four and Mr. Holland appeared to be considerably bettor. He walked without difficulty from the car, and on entering the house expressed a wish to lie down and rest. He was made comfortable upon a bed, but soon afterwards collapsed. Dr. A. A. MacFarlane was summoned and arrived a few minutes after 4.45, but life was then extinct. The doctor gave his opinion that death was due to heart-failure. Mr. F. Langstone. M.P., president of the Now Zealand Labour Party, said this evening that he travelled from Ohakune to Huntly in the same compartment with Mr. Holland, who was in his usual health and in good spirits throughout the journey. All Coalmines to Close Mr. Holland's body was taken to Hamilton this evening to be embalmed. To-morrow afternoon it will be brought back to Huntly and at the request of the Maori people, expressed through the Minister of Native Affairs, Sir Apirana Ngata, it will be placed in the Waahi Pa for an hour before being sent by train to Wellington, where it will arrive on Tuesday. All the Waikato coalmines will be closed to-morrow as a mark of respect, and members of the executive of the Northern Miners' Union will be pallbearers from Waahi to the Huntly railway station. Mr. F. Langstone, M.P., national president of the New Zealand Labour Party, said last night that Mr. Holland's body would be placed on board the south-bound express at Huntly at 5 p.m. to-day and taken to Wellington. The interment would take place at Westport. VICE-REGAL SYMPATHY MESSAGE TO MRS. HOLLAND SERVICE TO THE DOMINION [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Sunday The Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, has sent the following message to Mrs. Holland at Westport:—" Lady Bledisloe and I are most deeply distressed to hear of the death of your distinguished husband, whose conspicuous career of public service to this Dominion has been cut short with such tragic suddenness. We send to you and your family our heartfelt sympathy in your sad bereavement and irreparable loss." QUESTION OF SUCCESSOR MR. SAVAGE ALMOST CERTAIN FILLING OF VACANT SEAT [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Sunday Although it is too early for the Labour Party to consider a candidate to carry its banner in a. by-election, if one is necessary, it is expected that Mr. P. C. Webb will probably be selected. Mr. Webb's desire to return to Parliamentary life was shown when ho stood as Labour candidate at the Motueka by-election last _ December, while his name was also mentioned when consideration was being given to the party nomination for the Lyttelton seat. The question of Mr. Holland's successor in the leadership also arises, but in view of his long service as deputyleader it is almost certain that Mr. M. J. Savage will be the choice. Mr. I'". Langstone, M.P., national president of the New Zealand Labour Party, said yesterday that the appointment of a, successor to Mr. Holland had not yet been considered, but a decision would be made at a meeting of the party in Wellington this week.