OBITUARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20951, 14 February 1930, Page 9

OBITUARY.

SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE. We regret to record the death of Sir Thomas Mackenzie, which occurred at Stafford Hospital at 1.30 this morning. The illness, to which Sir Thomas has succumbed, began during the past session of Parliament, when he found it necessary to enter a private hospital in Wellington for rest and treatment, and, though he was able to come south shortly before the New Year, he never regained his health. Several days ago his condition was such as to excite apprehension and to require that he should again receive hospital treatment. The cause of death was angina, pectoris. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, who was a son of Mr David Stewart Mackenzie, was horn in Edinburgh on Marcli 10, 1854, and came out to New Zealand with his parents in the ship Robert Henderson, which arrived at this port in 1858. He received his education in public schools here and at the hands of private tutors. His career since then provides a striking exemplification of the courage, resourcefulness, and industry of so many of those who came to this country in the early days to make their way against difficulties which are non-existent to-day and. were: prepared to turn their hands to anything in the way of work that presented itself. During his long career Sir Thomas followed many occupations, including commerce, bush fannina, and surveying,

For more than 40 years Sir Thomas was closely identified with the political and commercial life of New Zealand, in which he was one of the outstanding figures. He made his entry into the House of Representatives in 1887, in which year he was returned as the member for Clutha, in succession to Mr J. W. Thomson, and he represented that constituency until 1896. His abilities in the world of commerce were recognised when he was quite a young man, and in 1889 he was selected by the New Zealand Government to proceed to England as d commissioner with the object of inquiring into various phases of the produce trade. In the previous year he was accorded the honour of representing New Zealand at the New South Wales Centennial celebrations in Sydney, In 1894 he was a member of a Royal Commission which was set up to consider tariff questions. Additional recognition of Sir Thomas Mackenzie’s outstanding knowledge of commercial matters came in 1896, when he_ retired from politics for the time being in order to proceed to England as the representative of several colonial mercantile firms, which were engaged chiefly in the wool and grain business. On this occasion he remained in England for a period of three years, and during that time he rendered invaluable service. Not the least important of his activities was his exposure of a good many frauds in connection with the New Zealand meat trade, these being stopped as a result oi his action. During his residence in England he was appointed a governor of the Royal Imperial Institute. On the completions of his mission in England, Sir Thomas Mackenzie returned to New Zealand, and it was not long before a desire to serve the public again in a parliamentary capacity asserted itself. The opportunity to do so came, in 1900, when a vacancy in the representation of the Waihemo electorate occurred through the resignation of Sir John M'Kenzie owing to failing health. Sir John resigned on June 29, 1900, and in the following month Sir Thomas Mackenzie was elected to the seat. Prior to the general election in 1902, the name of the electorate was changed from Waihemo to Waikouaiti, for which seat Sir Thomas was returned. He was again elected as the member for Waikouaiti in 1905, but an alteration of the electoral boundaries led to that seat being eliminated before the election in 1908. The retirement of the late Mr Donald Reid, jun., from the representation of the Taieri electorate left an opening which was taken advantage of by Sir Thomas Mackenzie, whose candidature was crowned with success. Bad luck, however, seemed to be his lot in the matter of selection of electorates, for three years later another adjustment of boundaries led to the Taieri seat being wiped out. Sir Thomas then turned his attention to the North Island, and at the general election in 1911 he stood for Egmont, for which seat he was returned. In 1901 he was a member of a royal commission on education, and in 1903 he filled the position of chairman of the Parliamentary Commerce Committee. Sir Thomas attained Cabinet rank in January, 1909, when he joined Sir Joseph Ward’s Ministry, taking over the portfolio of Industries and Commerce, a position for which he was specially fitted. He took over the Ministry of Agriculture on May 1, 1900, and subsequently became Minister in charge of Tourist and Health Resorts. He also had under his control at various periods the Departments of Lands, Post and Telegraph, Lands for Settlement, and State Forests. The general election in 1911 resulted in a serious setback .for the Ward Ministry, the decision of the electors leaving the two lending parties practically equal in strength At a session of Parliament in February, 1912, Sir Joseph Ward escaped defeat oil a no-confidence motion on the casting vote of the Speaker, and he forthwith resigned. In due course. Sir Thomas Mackenzie was chosen as the Leader of the Liberal Party, and lie formed a Ministry, which took office on March 28 of that year. Sir Thomas became Prime Minister, and he also hold the portfolio of Lands, Agriculture, and Industries and Commerce. The star of the Reform Parly, led by the late Mr Massey, was in the ascendant however, aud when the next session of ranianicnt_ was onened a motion of noeonfidence in the Government was moved This was carried by 41 votes to 33. and the Mackenzie Government gave place to the Massey Ministry on July 10. 1912 Amongst the earliest duties which the Massey Government was called upon to perform was the appointment of a Hi Mi Commissioner ip succession to Mr 0 IWray Pnlliser. who had filled the office Jl "n", period after the retirement of Sir William Hall-. Tones. Mr Massey took a broad view of the position, preferring to select a man who had proved his undoubted qualifications for the high office rather than select one of his own followers. His choice fell upon *-homas. Mackenzie, who was genelally recognised as one of the most suitable men in the Dominion for the position. Sir Thomas carried out his duties Vnoll t ' ons P ,c .uous ability from 1912 until IUZO—a period which, on account of the occurrence of the Great War. proved an extremely difficult one. requiring a very considerable measure of energy, tact, and the exercise of the humanitarian dement on the part of New Zealand’s representative at Home, One of the finest tributes in recognition of work well done was paid to Sir 1 nomas in London in June. 1920. on the occasion of his retirement from the position of High Commissioner. He was then tendered a farewell banquet at the Mansion House, and 300 guests, representing political, financial, and commer- , c- nt ™ ests - "’ ero Present. The toast ot Sir Thomas Mackenzie was proposed by Viscount Milner (Then Secretary of State for the Colonies), who said that the guest was a man so varied that he.seemed to be of mankind’s epitome. With- "the exception nf a character in one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s plays no man seemed to eoual Sir Thomass activities. “There are few of us.” said Lord Milner, “who have not trembled when we knew that bn- .Lhoiuas Mackenzie was coming to

complain about the treatment of New Zealand s interests, but however vigorous he was in his assaults on us in New Zeainterests there was never any soreness in the controversy. He was the best kind of diplomatist, who is always welcome.” . Lord Milner specially euiogised Sir Thomas Mackenzie's war services. They could never forget the Dominion's response to the Mother Country. The speaker went on to quote a statement by General Sir Alexander Godley, who said: “We could always rely on Sir Thomas Mackenzie for every assistance to our soldiers. In him all felt that they had a good friend.” Lord Milner concluded by saying that Sir Thomas Mackenzie had been’ a worthy representative of his Dominion, and expressed the belief that they had not seen the end of bis public activities. He hoped Sir Thomas would yet exercise them in England- Sir George Perley (Canadian High Commissioner). Mr Andrew Fisher, and Sir James Mills supported the toast. Lord Milner presented t„ Sir Thomas an influentially-signed illuminated address, testifying to his valuable services to New Zealand and the Empire throughout the war, and also alluded to the manner in which Sir Thomas and Lady Mackenzie had assisted the wounded New Zealanders —a service which had created an enduring memorial in the hearts of the recipients of their kindness. He also paid tribute to Sir Thomas Mackenzies marked ability on the Dardanelles* Commission, gmng its deliberations practical and . effective results. A newspaper ai 'ticle, published at the same time, stated: “It was recognised that Sir Iliomas Mackenzie possessed many qualifications for handling successfully in Great Britain the interests of this country, and that as its representative in London he would do it credit. He surpassed expectations in the fulfilment ot these duties; and the office in his keeping has been raised to a status which it never really possessed before. He grasped the _ opportunity which an exceptional period. presented to him. and it was not by the mere accident of the times that the importance and influence of his office have been extended since he took over his duties. _ It was his lot to undertake responsibilities tar exceeding those which ordinarily pertain to his office, and he showed himself to be a most human High Commissioner at a time when the human quality was needed. He proved I himself not "'only _ a good friend to the soldiers whom this country sent abroad, but the kindly attention which be bestowed upon their relatives in New Zealand. as wel as upon them, will be recalled with gratitude by large numbers of people,” In addition to being a member of the Dardanelles Royal Commission, Sir Thomas filled numerous other important positions while he was High Commissioner. He was a member of the Pacific Cable Board from 1912 till 1920, and in 1913 he acted as plenipotentiary at an international conference which considered the question of the safety of life at sea.. He also acted as delegate at the Peace Congress between Britain, Austria, Bulgaria, and Turkey in 1919, and actually signed the peace treaty between Britain and Austria. Sir Thomas was keenly interested in local municipal and educational affairs From 1881 till 1887 he was a member of the Balclntha Borough Council, and for two years of that period he occupied the mayoral -chair. After his return from England in 1899 he took up his residence at Allan Grange, in the Kaikorai Valley, where he lived for many years. In due course he became interested in the affairs of the Eoslyn municipality, and in 1901 he was ejected to the position of Mayor, from which he retired four years later His active interest in education extendedover many years. He was a member of the Otago Education Board from 1893 till 1896, :n which year be retired on account of his departure for London. Soon after his return to New Zealand in' 1899 he again became a member of the board, on ■which he held a seat until 1908. He was elected chairman of the board in 1906, and a, similar honour was conferred on him in the following year. He also served on the High Schools Board of Governors for some years, and at different times held the positions of chairman and treasurer. Prior to 1910 the local administratioii of hospital and charitable aid affairs was in the hands of three separate bodies —the Hospital Board, the Charitable Aid Board, and the Benevolent Trustees—on all of, which Sir Thomas saw service for a period Sir Thomas was a keen student and explorer of the lesser-known parts of Utago and Southland in the eighties, and made several notable trips through those districts which at the time had attracted snial! attention, and as a result ot his keen interest and frequent expeditions he was able to contribute a great deal of valuable information to the Government concerning the nature and possibilities of the regions he visited. In 1883 he explored the Tautuku Forest, penetrating into sectors of this territory that int ™ ts ant l Purposes unknown at that time. Three years later he turned Ins attention to the large tracts of wild country lying between Milford Sound and the head Lake Te Auau, and he was closely associated with Mr Quinton M'Kinnon when he discovered the pass into that romantic and hitherto unknown hins1 r :a?iT' in - t,le same years that . I - Mackenzie led the relief party •uto the Matterhorn Mountains in search ot .Professor Mainwaring Brown, and it was on this expedition that he discovered the pass between Lake Manapouri and Halls Arm on the West Coast. It will til 0 ” G remembered that when Mr Quinton MtKmnon was lost in 1891. Sir ”^ LaC ’ char " e °l th ® expedition that was sent out in search of the unfortunate +i' llOSe i- l 3 ' vas never found, although the relief party found his boat and equipment. Three years later further exploring trips were made in the region around Manapouri and Dusky Sound ]ROfi 6 uu asses beinff , fouud - and - in i J IIO T as completed the work be p un by the former expedition. After ui r.° tbe int erior he subito T tle Government an extensive S ea , ln ? % Keffiogy, flora, and fauna of that ho Man’s Land.” How f 6 Tw e . count ry was is shown by the fact that in submitting a map .Government at this time Si? .found it necessary to name mounri,ver,s - aoJ lakes which had not previously been heard -of. The keen interest which he took in these matters in the eafly days was never allowed to fla " for long after his weight of years "em further exploration impossible he continued to exhibit the liveliest concern these areal 8 ° Pm and openh, S U P P* 1916 r when'll reCeived i lis knighthood in 1910, when he was made a Kniffiit Commander of the Order of St. MicliaeJ ami St. George He was accorded a hHmr «? n n r . ln I P 2 ?’ when Ile was raised to the Order of the Knight Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George. He also held the distinction pf Grand Officer of the Ciowu of Belgium and the honour of OthPr* the Ur » v «sity of Edinburgh. Other honours conferred upon him were inSsßfi 0 "' 5 , 11 ?!, 0 c n lO P. olouial Instiute Ir°®6 1 r °® 6 , a . nd tj l6 .fellowship of the Roval Geographical Society in 1898. Sir Thomas was appointed to the Lcgis--192T «nd was a member of ’ t noo, th > e remal »der of his life. off" V he , mar , ricd Miss Ida Honrinf da . u " htel ‘ Mr Charles A antes, of Geelong, Victoria, ami his laimly consisted of five sons and two hfm S H eiS 'i *it U y Mackenzie predeceased turn, her death occurring in 1926 during j* Y lsl *j Great Britain with her husband., One of their sons, Mr Clutha Mackenzie, lost his sight as the result ot a wound at Anzae in August. 1915 and subsequently entered the Jubilee Institute for the. Blind, Auckland. Since then he has devoted a lot of time and energy to the interests of the institute, of which he has been a director for some years. Another son is Dr Kenneth Mackenzie. who was a student at the Untcmcntlv ° f °i a f°t a time aud subsequently completed his medical studies at the Ednburgh University; a third is Mr Havicl b. Mackenzie, who is well known in business circles in Gore; and the others ; „ Bruc f Mackenzie, of Auckland, and Mi Cusack Mackenzie, of Greenfield. MR HUGH TOLMIE. Private cable advice has been received of the death at Sommieres, in the South of France, of Mr Hugh Tolmie, late of Waipalu. Mr Tolmie, who was the onlyson of Mr William Alexander Tolmie formerly of Otago, was born in Victoria in 1861. The family settled in Otago in 1864, and Mr Hugh Tolmie was later sent to Christ s College, Christchurch, to receive his education. In 1880 he took over from the trustees of his father’s estate the management of the Waipahi Run, and retained it until the sale of the property in 1910. He was married to Lucy, the third daughter of the late Mr B. C. Haggitt. Of recent years Mr and Mrs Tolmie had lived abroad, principally in England and on the Continent. They made their last visit to New Zealand in 1915.