HOUSE PAYS TRIBUTE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18204, 27 September 1933, Page 10

HOUSE PAYS TRIBUTE

DECEASED LEGISLATORS MR. McCOMBS’ RECORD LATE SIB THOMAS SIDEV (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. Tn moving the. customary motion expressing appreciation of the services rendered to New Zealand by the late Mr, .). McCombs, and expressing sympathy with his relatives, the HI. lion. J. (1. Forbes, in the House to-day, said it was with .a feeling of sadness that lie. had received the cabled news ol Mr. McCombs' death. Mr. McCombs bad been a keen, and a very able debater. He had held strong views and expressed them strongly, lie had believed most sincerely in the opinions he held, and things he had stood for, and had been a man to whom one could listen to with a good deal of interest and respect. [fespitrMlie difference in the shades ol political opinions, one had come to re g;inl Mr. McCombs as an old comrade. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. ti. ]•;, Holland, in seconding the motion, said that Air. McCombs had joined the Labor Party at a time when the road ol the Labor' advocate was not. an easy one and was more likely to lead to prison than In Parliament, llis great ness of character had never been more, outstanding Ilian during the war years, when lie had never subordinated prin

ciple to expediency. It was interesting to recall that Mr. McCombs had been the (ir.it member to introduce a bill to give women the right to sit in Par lianieid. llis temperament had been permanent!v buoyant and cheerful. "NOT LIVED IN VAIN "It, is lilting,” Mr. Holland conclud cd, "that she who was his helpmate m life—and to whom he owed so much of his success—should come to represent in this House the people he loved and served —fitting, too, that she should occupy the place, lie tilled with such outstanding capacity and distinction. He sleeps the long sleep ol death in the Waimairi cemetery. '1 lie skies were leaden the day we laid him to rest, hut in the hearts of those who stood around that open grave, there was no bewildering sensation of doubt or despair, for we knew that lie. had not lived in vain. His monument is the record ol his fifes work, written into the annals ol the nation, and engraved impcrishably on the hearts of the men and women with whom and for whom he labored.

Tributes wore also paid by Messrs. L). (!, Sullivan, 11. S. S. Kyle, A. J. .Stallworthy, and E. J. ]toward. In moving a similar motion of respect in connection with the death of Sir Thomas Sidev, Mr. I‘orbes said that Sir Thomas had always been a most searching and helpful critic, whose views had always been the outcome of the closest examination and study. He had always been scrupulously lair, and bail been trusted implicitly by members. Throughout Ids long fight for the daylight saving legislation, he had never lost the friendship of anyone. He had been devoted to the cause of education, and in particular had regarded his services to Otago University as a sacred duty. OTHEI! .MOTION'S PASSED In seconding the motion, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland, said that Sir Thomas Sidev had had a wonderful record. He had been keenly interested in everything relating to education. and had also been deeply concerned about the welfare of women and children. He had in every possible way advanced the interests ol art and science, music and literature, and had always been extremely courteous to evci'vone with whom he had come m contact.

Tributes were also paid by other members.

In moving a similar motion of respect to the late' lion. G. AI. Thomson, Air. Forbes said lie had devoted a lifetime to the study of scientific questions, and had left behind a very admirable record of service to the- country.

Tire header of the Opposition also paid tributes to Air. Thomson's service to science and education. The motions were adopted.

Similar motions were passed in respect of Messrs. A. MeNieol and Wiremu Rikihaiia. members paying a tribute to their services to the Dominion, and the manner in which they had carried o?d their duties.

The House adjourned a.t 4.48 p.m., as a. mark of respect to the deceased legislators.