OBITUARY

Otago Witness, Issue 3115, 26 November 1913, Page 37

OBITUARY

MR G. LAURENSON, M.P

TRIBUTES TO HIS WORTH. WELLINGTON, November 19. Mr George Laurenson, member for Lyttelton, died this morning. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.rn., and immediately after prayers the Hon. H. D. Bell rose, and with evident feelings of emotion proposed that the Council record its sense of the faithful services tendered to the dominion by the late Mr Laurenson, and respectfully tenders to his widow and family an assurance of its sincere sympathy with them in their bereavement. Speaking to the motion the Hon. Mr Bell paid a tribute to the deceased, referring to lug fairness and sincerity. The Hon. G. J. Smith seconded the motion, and in doing so said Mr Laurenson had been his personal friend for many years, and he was sure he was only voicing the mind of the Council in deploring his early death. The fairness and courage of which tlie Leader of the Council had spoken were always evidenced in his life, while his kindly heart ever prompted him to offer his svmpathy and help in cases of trouble and sorrow. The Hon. G. Jones said the death of Mr Laurenson was only another instance of those who had been sacrificed to their political duty. Personally he had been associated with him ever since he (Mr Laurenson) had entered politics, and while he knew him to be a relentless critic lie was always fair and just. He was a kind friend, but an implacable enemy to wrong. He was ever tire champion of right. No one who had fallen in the political arena with his armour on deserved move honour than Mr Laurenson. He had left an indelible impression on the public life of the country, and all that was now left for them to do was to pay a just tribute to his memory. The Hon. W. C. F. Carncross said he was afraid the deceased was not always understood, as he was frequently misjudged on his public utterances. He was one of the most upright men in the dominion, strong in his likes and dislikes, all of which were the outcome of his deep convictions and great earnestness The last speech he made was one delivered during the present industrial crisis, and it was one strong plea for law and order. The deceased was a good man, and his loss would be deeply mourned, for there were many men who could be better spared to this dominion than George Laurenson. . The motion was then put and carried, and the Council then adjourned as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, November 19. The news of the death of Mr Laurenson was received with very deep regret. When it was announced early this morning that he had succumbed to heart trouble the House, which was in committee on the Legislature Act Amendment- Bill, immediately adjourned, and again when it met this afternoon an adjournment was made till 2.30 to-morrow afternoon, as an expression of sorrow and regret. After the transaction of business the Prime Minister moved“ That this House places on record its high sense of the faithful services rendered to the dominion by the late Mr Laurenson as member and as a Minister of the Crown, and respectfully tenders to his widow and family an" assurance of its sincere sympathy in their bereavement.” He had been born in Edinburgh, said Mi Massey, in 1857, and educated in Shetland. He arrived in New Zealand with his parents in 1876, and settled in Lyttelton. He afterwards became a member of the Lyttelton Board Council and occupied that position for nine years. He was a member and chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board for eight years, and was returned as a member of Parliament in succession to Mr Joyce in 1899, and hud occupied that constituency ever since. He was Minister of Labour, Customs, and Marine in tiie Mackenzie Administration in 1912. ‘‘lt is very difficult,” continued Mr Mass;v, ‘‘to realise that the member for Lyttelton, who was in his place only a fe..' days ago, has passed away.” He had in saying that the House and the country were much poorer in consequence. \\ hen the Angel of Heath entered Parliament —and his visits during the last few r yeais had been only too frequent—it brought home to everyone how very small and utterly insignificant party strife and interests were as compared with tiie larger issues which each one had to deal with later on. Mr Laurenson had been a man of strong convictions, of keen sympathies, broad minded, and liberal to a degree. Though many, members of the House did not agree with the whole of his political opinions, each one was willing to honour and respect him on account of his sincerity, his strength of purpose, his integrity, and his intense desire to do right under* all circumstances. He was a lover of books, and possessed of much more than average party ability. As a debater he sometimes hit hard, but he never descended to personalities, and ho never allowed the debate to interfere with his friendships in the lobby. Mr Laurenson was a really good type of North Briton, a generous friend, a loving husband, and affectionate father. Every member of the House joined with him in hoping that the sympathy of the country would soften the blow to his widow and family. In the 56 years of his life Mr Laurenson had done his very best in the paths of duty. He was not a man who would bo forgotten by the men who had worked with him in Parliament. The Leader of the Opposition (Sir Joseph Ward) said he rone with feelings of sorrow to second the motion. He wanted to jubJ his few words of testimony to Mr 1 .ain - -'rson’s worth.. He was one of the most sincere men in pubh'c life he ever met. Ho (the speaker) had known Mr Laurenson for 15 years, and when he first met him he recognised how likeable

a man he was. He was a strong speaker and a keen debater, but he never made personal enemies. Although his convictions were strong, he never allowed them to sway or warp his judgment. The parliamentary duties of this country were probably more trying than those in other countries, but the presence of death levelled down all acerbities which might arise. It was a singular circumstance that Mr Joyce, the predecessor of Mr Laureuson, had also been taken away suddenly. They would all remember him, added Sir Joseph Ward, as a great reader and a man of more than average ability. Ho was a man who would ever be missed. The Hon. H. H. Rhodes said that he and Mr Laurenson had been connected since they first met when entering the House in 1889. In private life he found Mr Laurenson a man of broader views than appeared in the House. Throughout their time in Parliament the kindliest feelings had existed between them. A bond of interest was that the member for Christchurch South, the ex-member for Rakaia, Mr Laurenson, and himself had all been elected on the same day, and for 12 years they sat together. There was a deep feeling of sympathy for his relatives. The House had lost an able debater, bis constituents a popular representative, the country a worthy member, and he himself had lost a personal friend. Mr G. W. Forbes said be had known Mr Laurenson personally since his arrival in Xew Zealand from Scotland. One of Mr Laurenson's strongest characteristics was his kindly nature. His sympathies were broad, and he took his politics seriously, but after the debate bo was always full of goodwill and friendship. He was a vigorous fighter, but no feeling remained after it. On behalf of his widow, whom he had seen that morning, he gratefully acknowledged the messages of kindliness and goodwill which had been sent by various members and others. Mr G. W. Russell said that Mr Laurenson was one of the very finest men he, had ever met in his life. He was of warm and generous sympathies, emotional it was true, and was always guided by his ideals and beliefs. His outstanding characteristic was conscientiousness. As a member of local bodies in Christchurch, as a member of Parliament, and as a Minister he was not excelled by any one in the seriousness with which he regarded his duty. Xo service for constituents or others was too small to receive his constant aid. Of him it could only be said, “ Well done, good and faithful servant.’’ Mr I). Buddo added his expressions of appreciation. The memory of Mr Laurenson, he said, would long remain green in the hearts of his friends. Air Ell said he knew no man whom he had esteemed more highly. His intense love of humanity dominated his nature, and he was never happier than when speaking in aid of the lowly. It was a beautiful sight to see Mr Laurenson with children, and tlie children of Lyttelton would long cherish his memory. Mr Witty said Mr Laurenson had been a man of ability and tact, who would be missed by all. Mr Davey mentioned the special and deep interest which Mr Laurenson took in the cause of Labour. He therefore regretted exceedingly that some Labour men in Lyttelton had alleged that Mr Laurenson had broken his trust. He denied that absolutely. Mr Laurenson had never broken his trust, but had always been faithful to the true interests of Labour. Mr Lsitt, speaking as a personal friend for many years, said he had been deeply impressed by the personal worth of Mr Laurenson. So far as politics were concerned, it was impossible for Mr Laurenson to bear a grudge if be desired to, because of his broad reading. It was not excessive eulogy to say that Mr Laurenson had been an ornament to the House. Mr Lsitt closed with a very fine tribute to Mr Laurenson's deeply religions nature. Messrs Payne, Hanan, and Dr Te Rangihiroa (on behalf of the Native race) also spoke. On the motion of the Prime Minister the House then adjourned till 2.30 tomorrow as a mark of esteem and respect. At the meeting of the Dunedin Burns Club on the 19th, the Chairman (Mr J. London) made touching reference to the death of Mr Laurenson, who on at least two occasions had delivered addresses before the club. Both had been very highly appreciated.