MOTIONS OF SYMPATHY

Southland Times, Issue 22131, 27 September 1933, Page 5

MOTIONS OF SYMPATHY

DECEASED LEGISLATORS. TRIBUTES TO LATE MR J. McCOMBS. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, September 26. The main business of the House of Representatives this afternoon was the carrying of the usual motions of sympathy with relatives of deceased legislators and in this connection, particular reference was made to the death of the late Mi- J. McCombs and to the fact that he had been succeeded in the House by his wife. Mrs McCombs withdrew from the Chamber while the speeches were being made. The Prime Minister said that Mr McCombs had expressed his views strongly, but his cheerful nature had always removed any suggestion of rancour. Mr McCombs had been of great assistance to him personally, and he would greatly miss him now that he had passed away. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr H. E. Holland, seconded the motion in a stirring speech and referred to the qualities the late Mr McCombs had possessed. He had been the senior member in the House and his sudden death had caused a vacancy in the ranks of the Labour Party that might have been hard to fill, but he felt sure that Mr McCombs, if he knew of what had happened, would be quite satisfied to think that his helpmate in life was carrying on his work after his death. Several other members spoke in similar strain.

Similar motions were carried in respect of the Hon. Wiremu Rikihana, the Hon. G. M. Thomson, the Hon. Sir Thomas Sidey and Mr A. McNicol. The House then adjourned as a mark of respect till 7.30 this evening.