“A GREAT MAN FALLEN.”

Otago Witness, Issue 3713, 12 May 1925, Page 24

“A GREAT MAN FALLEN.”

A LIBERAL’S ESTIMATE. By T. K. Sidet, JLP. Persons of all shades of political opinion will deplore the termination of Mr Massey’s political career by the hand of death. Strenuous and keen as party warfare frequently is, its contests are in the field of politics. Its victories are neither sought for nor appreciated as the result of personal misfortune or suffering; and in the presence of illness and death, which are no respecters of persons, political antagonisms are forgotten as men stand on ground common to all humanity. I can speak as one who for many years lias viewed Mr Massey from the Opposition side of the House to that occupied by him; and my viewpoint has been both from the Government and Opposition benches. Most public speakers acquire the habit of using what may be termed “stock” phrases, and Mr Massey was no exception. He made a most effective use of the English language without drawing on a very large vocabularj He was a ready and fluent speaker, mentally alert, and quick at retort. He was never at a loss for a word, and his sentences always analysed. There was probably no member of the House whose speeches required less alteration in Hansard. It was his faculty of ready speech, combined with good judgment and common sense, that enabled him to overtake so much work without drawing greatly upon his reserves of physical strength. As leader of tne Opposition he did his full share of the arduous work of that office, both in the House and in the country, and was a keen critic of the then Government.

The attainment of office greatly modified his outlook on political questions; and it was this circumstance that afforded his political opponents their greatest food tor criticism. His former speeches in the House and on the platform milked largely in the Opposition stock-in-trade. As Prime Minister Mr Massey chafed somewhat under criticism, and showed this on his countenance to the delight of his critics, who accepted it as an indication that their thrusts were getting home. I am pleased, however, to acknowledge that although personalities were at times indulged in in the course of debate, neither as Leader of the Opposition nor as Prime Minister did Mr Massey harbour or cherish any sentiments of personal animosity. One had only to meet him in his room or in the lobbies when his breezy manner and absence of restraint at once dispelled any suggestion that such sentiments were entertained; and 1 can say for myself personally that, although at times I freely criticised him as Prime Minister, I always met him outside the House on the friendliest terms. Mr Massey was no doubt a strong party man, and loyalty to his friends was one of his conspicuous traits. I need not hero refer to other well-known characteristics such as his love of Empire and devotion to its cause. Mr Massey received many honours and marks ot popular favour, but there was still something to which it was thought he was looking forward. He was credited with a not unnatural desire to eclipse in point of time the period that Mr Seddon held the position of Prime Minister. This he would have done had he held office till some date in the month of August next. This, however, was not to be, and it ia not the only occasion tliat I have had publicly to comment upon the shattering of such hopes iust when they seemed to be on the point of realisation.

In his speech** Mr Maamp was food <M Biblical quotations, and I <v«ohi4ei by saying that universal regret will b* experienced at his death, universal aynv pathv will be felt for his widow and family, and the universal verdict of thd country will endorse the sentiment 8& pressed in Old Testament pliraseologYl “There is a great man fallen this das in Israel.”