The New Zealand Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1921. SIR WILLIAM HERRIES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10816, 4 February 1921, Page 4

The New Zealand Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1921. SIR WILLIAM HERRIES

Sir William Herries has done the State so much good service that his retirement from . active political work — which, we trust, may only be temporary—cannot be allowed to pass without due notice. Sir William is a consistent member of the Reform party. But everyone of the Liberal party which has opposed him during all his career will * regret his absence quite as much as the members of his own party. They will miss Sir William’s unselfish devotion to public duty, his great ability, his broad-minded public spirit, his freedom from personal considerations in the whole of his public work. These high qualities of his were recognised by both sides of the House when he entered it many years ago, and during all those years their recognition has grown without any uncertainty whatever of its completeness. When the honour, of knighthood fell upon him, it was universally acknowledged, without reserve, that honourable desert had received its due recognition. New Zealanders differed about his political views, hut there was no difference in their appreciation of the honour done to this upright New Zealander—for he is a Nenv Zealander by adoption, and thoroughly staunch—for his straight and useful career. During that career he has kept the best traditions of work and of play. In Opposition as in. office, he has always devoted his time and brains to the work before him. For him there was no short road to the knowledge required of him. Every question received from him adequate study for the formation of judgment and careful preparation for its accurate pronouncement. This the Housd appreciated in debate, his friends feeling the benefit of his advocacy, and his opponents acknowledging the sound equipment which honourably distinguished his adverse contention. It came quickly to be recognised that his case was neither understated for lack of knowledge, nor exaggerated by,any tendency to flamhoyancy. He spoke always as he worked, with workmanlike commonsense and single-hearted meaning, which commanded absolute confidence. In Opposition these qualities impressed themselves on the House; in office they shone, of course with greater lustre; and they were acknowledged throughout every department over which he had the honour to preside. In connection with this, we may mention the splendid, tribute paid to his work as Native Minister by the Maori members in both" Houses last session, one of whom characterised him as the greatest Native. Minister who had ever held office. This tribute was appreciated by all sides without'a single dissentient. It was often a regret to us to differ from him. But that only increases the pride with which, while regretting his retirement, we give our tribute of respect to as sterling a man as ever took a hand in the politics of New Zealand. That Sir William Herries was a party man we have never doubted, and we do not think he would for one moment deny the statement. ; He is of the stamp of party man we should not like to see die out of our political arena. The stamp o'f man, we mean, who sees things as they really are; one who understands that principles are the governing factors in politics; that opinions vary honestly about those principles; that parties form on one side and the other, each convinced of the superiority of its views for the benefit of the country they both wish to serve with ideal devotion. That is why Sir William Herries joined his party, why he served it with honourable devotion, why he gave that devotion without for a moment • losing sight of the duty he owed the country. In that spirit he served his party. In the party warfare to which he was_ necessarily committed he Was always' distinguished for scrupulous fairness. In tactics he would take any tactical advantage, and so play the game, just as men of honour play all games, from football to war. But his playing was always scrupulously fair, and he never “hit below the belt.” And whatever he said in settlement, or understanding of any kind went. No one ever thought of doubtl ing even ever so faintly, and no one ever had occasion to regret his trust. Humour was a frequent weapon of his, and it was always welcome, for it never descended to personalities, and never was cruel, even when biting shrewdly. As for ascribing motives to opponents—his conduct was a standing reminder of “Let not such thing® be mentioned among you.” Needless

to add, that his own honour he carried spotless throughout his career. From the party point of view—as we have defined party allegiance-—it is obviously the thing to say that “he gave up to party what was meant for mankind.” But that, so far from being a reproach, is the strongest form of regret, for it is a regret that he does not belong to the party which, in our opinion, can do the most for mankind. Sir William Herries will be regretted, perhaps, most by those who recognise his ability. -He is a very able man, one of the ablest, if not the ablest, on the present roll of the House of Representatives. His powerful brain will he missed, especially at the present time. It is the most difficult time which New Zealand has ever encountered. It may, quite possibly, be a time of very great crisis. It is a time in which the strength of every New Zealand brain will be required for the national counsel. Sir William Herries will be required in the front ranks of study and discussion. He has studied the problems of the day; he has spoken clearly, sensibly, and shrewdly of them; he has had some experience of handling them; and has read of the handlings in other countries. With what mastery he discoursed, we all remember, applying the principles he had acquired with the polish of his university education, moving with easy, formless, not-too-fluent, cogqncy of speech through shrewd demonstrations of the new things that press. It is for such work, as well as for the old things of our own with their new pressures, that we want Sir William Herries. We hope, therefore, that when he has rested enough—he has had a strenuous time among us-—he will come back.