PARLIAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24630, 11 June 1941, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRIBUTES TO DECEASED iPX) WELLINGTON, June 10. ~ "A feature of the proceedings when Parliament resumed this afternoon was the' large number of questions asked by members. 'The desk formally occupied by Captain W. J. Lyon, the member for Waitemata, who was killed in action recently,; ;was draped with the Union Jack on 'which rested a laurel wreath bearing an appropriate inscription from his colleagues. After a large number of questions had been dealt with, the remainder of the afternoon. was devoted to tributes to deceased legislators.. Sir James Parr Moving a motion of appreciation of the services of the late Sir James Parr and condolence with, his relatives, the Acting Prime Minister, Mr W. Nash, referred to his distinguished career both in New Zealand and as High Commissioner for the Dominion in London. Sir James, Mr Nash said, had left a distinctive mark in the political history of this country. He was respected for his keenness and his work of development, and was widely noted for his progressive 'outlook. He was distinguished for his civic and national progress, and was a New Zealander of the first type. Seconding the motion, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, said that Sir James Parr had left behind him a record of distinguished public service. His six years as a Minister of the, Crown had given him a wide experience, and he was one of the very few who had had the opportunity of serving the Dominion for two terms as its High Commissioner in London. After members on both sides of the House, and also Mr J. A. Lee, representing the Democratic Labour Party, had added their tributes, the motion was passed. ' ~. ~; .

Captain TV. J. Lyon Moving a similar motion in connection with Captain W. J. Lyon, the member for Waitemata, who was killed in action recently, Mr Nash said that Captain Lyon had- represented the' Waitemata electorate in the House since 1935. He.was chairman of the Defence Committee of„the ■ House and I had been one of >the first members to enlist onr, the outbreak of the present war. :':He had been killed in action a few days ago, at the age of 43 years. .Members of the House would miss him, and they all felt very deeply fo'r his wife and children. He had an unselfish and genial nature, and all who knew him respected him. Mr Nash outlined how the first intimation of Captain, Lyon's death had come in a cablegram from the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser. Members would revere Captain Lyon's memory. Mr Nash said, and they felt he had gone from the House to take his part in a high service for which he ■'■ was par r ticularly qualified. Captain Lyon had fought in the last war and this war, and he had also fought in a third war, namely, to better conditions for everyone. What they could do in the House was to see that he 'had not 'died in vain.

Seconding the motion, Mr S. Gr. Holr land said -that .every';'.member of -the.' House would joinjwith Mr Nashanhis tribute to' Captain Lyon, regardless of the party tfcwhieh he belonged* "They all knew Captain Lyon as one who was very well'versed in defence matters, and he was one of the first volunteers from the House in the present 'war: He was a gifat. admirer. *>f Britain, and was one^of; ithe House's leading debaters. /':,„■- ~;. Fifteen other speakers from all sides of,the House also paiditribute to Captain Lyon,- . Similar motions were passed in connection with the deaths of Mr Peter McSkimining who Cltitha erectorafeT m from 1931 to 1835; : and; Sir Manly Luke, a lative Council?- 4'-■■■ v : ■. ' : -,i: ; -' ■ > .*' : ':'-.'.■>■ The House' adjourned at 5.10 until 2.30 to-morrow as a mark of-respect to deceased "legislators.; , ... COUNCIL RESOLUTIONSOF APPRECIATION <P.A.>. WELLINGTON, June 40: When the Legislative Council met at 2.30 this afternoon the Leader of the House, Mr D. Wilson, moved the customary resolutions of appreciation of eervices rendered to New Zealand'in respect of Sir James Parr and Sir Charles Manly Luke. The first motion 5 was seconded by Sir R. Heaton Rhodes and the second by Mr T. Brindle. and a number of councillors spoke to both resolutions,. The Council adjourned as a mark of respect. It will resume at 10.30 on Friday. ■ •