A GREAT STATESMAN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16376, 25 June 1927, Page 3

A GREAT STATESMAN

LATE Silt .lAS. CARROLL. HOUSE PAYS TRIBUTE. {Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Among the motions of condolence and recognition of public services of deceased legislators passed by the House of Parliament today that relating to the late member for (lisborne received special attention from many of his old Parliamentary colleagues and admirers. The Prime Minister, in moving the mot ion, detailed the career of Sitr .lames, showing a lifetime of public service, in eluding Ministerial otlice under four Prime Ministers, and be was also acting Prime Minister for one period. The House and the country would recognise what, a figure bad passed away. He was one of those important leaders who did more to bring about a good understanding between the Maori and the European at a time when it was of the greatest- value. That good feeling should be engendered.

Though his duties apparently lay lightly on Sir Jus. Carroll, Mr. Goates said he knew it was not really so, for lie had gone through musty records in the Native Department which showed how much attention had been given-to Maori problems in an endeavor to bring about a good understanding with the pakeha. Sir James had endeavored to bring his people along the path of progress, but he always cautioned the pakeha not to expect too quick a motion. All his service had proved sound. Many thought he entirely favored the Maori, hut the records, which the speaker had examined, enabled him to say that Sir James' policy was a. wise one, and had the effect of bringing the native along with the pakeha, and his good judgment was shown in asking the pakeha not to push the Maori along too fast. Legislators would regret the loss of a great figure from Parliament, and New Zenland history would show Sir James as a statesman and a very grant rangatira.

Mr. H. E. Holland, leader of the Opposition, seconded the motion, declaring that Sir James Carroll was not only a distinguished figure in Parliament, but a great personality. He had all the attributes Which made the Maori well loved when lie became well known to the European. HON EYED MEM CRIES. Sir Maui Pomare's tribute was as follows:—"When 1 last saw the distinguished statesman alive he was paying his tribute at the monument to his friend, Sir Win. Hemes. The opening words of his address will ever remain with me, and as it was with him then, so it- is with me to-day, for lie said : 'My mind is as a hive to which are homing a hundred honeyed memories.' "On solemn occasions like this I recognise my inability to adequately voice our sorrow, or to express the fitting tribute we would all wish to pay his memory. This is doubly so, seeing that messages of sorrow and love have come from all strata of human structure, yea from the lonely Maori whare to the palace of the King. This expression from the sorrowing hearts of the nation is a real testimony to his worth. Sir James was the most loveable man ever I knew, ever tolerant ofothers' faults, and always alive to their virtues. He spoke ill of no man. "In the language of our mothers' people. I say: - The giant tree of the great forest of Tane has been uprooted, the midpost of the Kahunguiigu house has fallen, the stars of the Maori firmament are bevoming scarce; the. brother has left, the father has gone, the pataka, of wisdom is no more; and the canoe which bore their troubles has been laden by the ocean maid to Hawaiki, that mythical land from which man came and to which man must return.

"Timi. Kara, was called by his people Toka Wahi Moana'—a wave-breaking rock—-and so he was, for I well remember the time, when the incessant clamor for land settlement at the expense of his mothers' people might have been a temptation lo a weaker man, but not so to him. It was through this determined stand be. was dubbed 'Timi Taihoa,' but wo who look back now see (hat bis 'taihoa' land policy was the salvation of his race.

"Schooled in the university of experience., lie graduated from the pa to the highest position in the land. lie was an ardent apostle in the creed of imperial unity, and when the tocsin of war sounded a few years ago his voice was heard exhorting his people to arms, and thus he united the destinies of his father's and his mother's races in mutual respect and affection, so that together they might walk info the future, confident in meeting and overcoming trials by the way. and making Ibis glorious' little land of ours Cod's Own Country indeed. K Timi Kara, ha-rne-ra." NO "MORE GENEROUS FOE. The Hon. K. 8. Williams declared that politically there was no more generous foe than Sir James, whose personality was such that there was never a gathering be attended but - was the happier for his presence. The speaker expressed his deep sympathy with the gentle, kindly lady who mourned the loss of a husband. Mr. T. M. Wilford, in the course of his appreciation, called to mind an exciting night in Parliament when Sir Jas. Carroll's administration of the Native Department was powerfully indicted by the- Opposition. Sir James took no notes and seemed half asleep, but when he rose to reply he dealt with every point, and made so splendid an answer that it satisfied not only the Government but the Opposition. At its conclusion liis chief critic, Sir Wm. Merries, walked across the floor of the House and shook hands with Sir James, congratulating him on his reply. It was an unprecedented scene, and the House immediately adjourned. i Several other members added their tribute before the House adjourned as a mark of respect.

OTHER DECEASED MEMBERS (Per Press Association.)

Other motions of condolence were moved by the Prime Minister in connection with the deaths of Hon. D. 11. Guthrie, the Hon. Sir Arthur Myers, and Messrs. Frederick Pirani, H. H. Lusk, E. Witty, and C. Cowan. .The Prime Minister's motions were seconded by Mr. 11. E. Holland, leader of Hie Opposition, and were supported by several members, who'paid feeling tributes to Hie deceased former members. In speaking of the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Hie Prime Minister specially stressed his services to the RotWni party in Hie capacity of Whip at a time when party feeling'ran high, and later bis services to Hie Dominion as Minister of Lands and Minister of Repatriation at one of Hie most difficult periods in the history of the country, when the returning soldiers had to be provided for, and when his upright character and his kindly disposition were prominently brought out. Referring to Sir Arthur Myers, Mr. Coates said be was a, man of high ideals. open-hearted* and generous, and all regretted that, he should have passed away while still a comparatively young man. Mr. Holland said Sir Arthur Myers bad been one of the most genial members of the House, Mr. 0. W. Forbes said Sir Arthur Myers had endured a great deal of very cruel criticism during jiis term as Min-

ister, but both as a member of the Cabinet, and as Mayor of Auckland, lie gave ample proof of his sincerity and unusual ability.

Of Mr. Pii'ani, the Premier said if 'seemed that had deceased not given so much time to polities be might have been much more successful as a journalist. However, he. preferred to work in the public interest in the Held of politics rather than hi the Bold of journalism.

Mi'. P. Fraser, Sir John Uxko, the Hon. 1). Buddo, and Mr. Nash paid warm tributes to tlio late Mr. l'inmi for his services, not only its a member of the House, but as an educationalist of great ability and enthusiasm.