PARLIAMENT'S LOSS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24142, 8 December 1941, Page 6

PARLIAMENT'S LOSS

Parliament, the Army and the Dominion are the poorer for the loss of three members of the House of Representatives, of whom the latest to be killed in action is LieutenantColonel J. M. Allen. In this fight for democracy, several members of New Zealand's democratic assembly promptly joined the forces. Captain W. J. Lyon, member for Waitemata, was the first to fall, and his name is written on the roll of battle honours for Crete. Subsequently, Lieutenant A. G. Hultquist, member for the Bay of Plenty, died of sickness in Egypt. It was not to be expected that the fierce battles in Libya would leave untouched the ranks of our Parliamentary representatives in the firing line. That brave and able soldier, Brigadier J. Hargest, member for Awarua, is reported to be a prisoner of war. Now comes the sad news that Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Allen, member for Hauraki, has fallen in Libya. The story of his family is part of the Dominion's tradition of public service, and their name has a long and gallant association with the New Zealand Division. Other members of the House—Captain A. N. Grigg, Captain C. F. Skinner, Lieutenant T. L. Macdonald, Aircraftman A. F. Moncur and Corporal R. M. Macfarlane —are with the forces, fighting for the principles ■on which our Parliamentary life is based. The Dominion is proud of all her sons with the colours ; she knows that in this greatest of all wars many must fall that their country may be saved; and she will pay particular homage to the memory of those 'three of her legislators who have gjiiven their lives as part of the great sacrifice to preserve our liberties.