SIR HEATON RHODES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3765, 11 May 1926, Page 63

SIR HEATON RHODES.

SERVICES RECOGNISED. HUME MINISTL.■ d TRIBUTE. CHRISTCHURCH, May 5. | The large goods shed at Leeston was J transformed into a banqueting hall on j Tuesday night for the Ellesmere elcc- j torate’s dinner to Sir Heaton and Lady i Rhodes. > | In proposing the toast of “Our Guests,” ] the Chairman, Mr John Cunnin-ham, sai l j that Sir Heaton and Lady Rhodes were I well worthy of all the honour that could be done to them. Anything that Sir Heaton's constituents could do in this re spect was a labour of love. He wirhed to' thank their guests for all tl r * had dore for the electors. Sir Heaton had quickly climbed the parliamentary ladder, and it had been a matter of .gratification to his own constituents when he was elevated to Cabinet rank. He had taken a promient part in the volunteer movement, and had returned from the South African War with an untarnished record and as an officer who was respected by all his men. He had never had a “walk over” in his election fights, but, as a matter of fact, his constituents had never been reallv afraid of h ling him. As he was now a member of the Legislative Council Ellesmere was in the fortunate position of having a representative in each House. Mr also paid a tribute to the services rendered the electorate ' i v Lady Rhodes. It was said that a prophet was without honour in his own country, but it was a fact that Sir Heaton and Lady Rhodes were most highly thought of where tiiey were best known. On rising to respond. Sir Heaton Rhodes was greeted with cheers. He said he as proud, although embarrassed, at the honour done him and Lady Rhodes. It was a break for him to retire from the position of representative of the electorate. Sir Hea >n made eference to the length jf time he had represented Ellesmere, and stated that the electorate had been altered on two occasions, but he found that, although he had lost many good constituents by the action of the Boundary Commissioners, he had got others in his new territory. He was grateful for the gift of the casket which had been made to him in the afternoon. He would like also to deposit in it the original petition asking him to stand ftTf'Parliament. Ho had not thought of attaining Cabinet rank, blit | lie hoped that since ho had been called ! to office bv the late Mr Massov he had clone his best for his couutr”. <>ne of the most difficult tasks he had been given after the war was to obey the mandate to cut down expenses. To have had to ask the men who had se cd their country in the Great War to resign from the He fence Depart -rent's service was perhaps the most unpleasant task ho had ever bad to face. As showing how the vote for naval defence had crown, Sir Heaton said that at one time it was only £*20.000 a year. ' He would have been content to serve Ellesmere as a member, but his medical adviser would not hear of it. Tie had been allowed to serve in the Cabinet with the late Mr Mawy and now with Mr voate*, who was a ;> v Zen lander with great faith iri the Gov.Tmount* Sir Heaton had hirase.: - ha- 1 giver him a chance of eontinV 'g in the Cabinet, which sei' ue he would he pleased tv take vp. Sir Heaton express* l thanks for Unkindly reference that had Lw»'ui male to Lady Rhodes. w l, o had been-of the jr-eatest «s*i?? f nnce"to him. Although retiring from tlic House of Kepiesentatires as member for Ellesmere had meant a break to him, it would mean no break in the friendships he had formed during his parliamentary ca reer. On rising to speak, Mr Coates received an oration. He said the fact was brou lit home to mnnv that Sir Heaton was unable to take such an active part as hitherto, but he still took his usual soat in the Cabinet when in Wellington. Sir Heaton find played an imnortant part in New Zealand—perhaps very few realised how important. When it was recalled what school lie had gone through it must be remembered that he had no need to enter tlm 1 lirjv burly of life. The education and training he had received had been given back to his people, and all his attributes had been placed at the service of his fellow-man. Others could do likewise, and other young men could emulate his example. He was a fine gentleman, but after all what finer specimen of humanity could be found than the English gentleman? They valued Sir Heaton as a comrade and ..dinired him as a man.