NOTABLE FIGURE IN POLITICS

Southland Times, Issue 24168, 3 July 1940, Page 6

NOTABLE FIGURE IN POLITICS

Tributes To Former Speaker SIR WALTER CARNCROSS PRAISED (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, July 2. “The name of Carncross will endure as one of the foremost Speakers of the Legislative Council,” said the Prime Minister (the Hon. P. Fraser) in the House this evening when paying a tribute to the late Sir Walter Carncross and his outstanding record as a member of the Legislative Assembly ot the Dominion. The Prime Minister said that the House, in expressing deep regret in the passing of Sir Walter Carncross, was paying tribute to a notable figure in the political life of the Dominion. He entered into public life half a century ago and played a prominent part from that day until his death. In the earlier days of his career he had been conspicuous in the Liberal Party under both Mr John Balance and Mr Richard John Seddon. He had been Chief Whip of the party and had many stories to tell of the capacity and ability of Mr Seddon.

In those days social legislation was in the ascendency and those opposed to the Liberal Government waged war bitterly on the Government’s proposals both inside and outside Parliament. The rules of debate were different and there were many “long-distance’ speakers, who showed much ingenuity in delaying the business of the House. Despite all the wrangling and bitterness introduced into the debates, Sir Walter made friends on both sides of the House and retained those friendships throughout his life. Mr Fraser said that the late Speaker of the Legislative Council was always willing to give advice to young members, and his ripe knowledge was available on all occasions to those who sought it. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE He moved that the House of Representatives record its high sense of the distinguished service given to New Zealand by Sir Walter Carncross and that it tender to his widow and family its sympathy in their bereavement. The motion was seconded by the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton), who recalled that Sir Walter was one of the three men throughout the Empire who had a record of 50 years’ service in the Legislature, the others being Mr Lloyd George and Dr W. R. Maloney of Melbourne. That was a wonderful record and it represented also a very high standard of service. Sir Walter's life and service were an inspiring example to them all. It must, however, be a great sense of satisfaction and pride to Lady Carncross and her family to know that Sir Walter had such a distinguished career in the service of his country. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) said that Sir Walter had represented the Taieri electorate for 12 years. During the time Sir Walter lived in Mosgiel he took an active part not only in the political life of the country, but also in local body affairs, sport, the Friendly Society movement and even in those early days, the defence of his country. Mr F. L. Frost (Lab., New Plymouth) spoke on behalf of the Taranaki members in the House and Mr E. T. Tirikatene (Lab., Southern Maori) on behalf of the Maori race. Mr A. E. Jdll (Nat., Waipawa), the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin) and the Minister of Labour (the Hon. P. C. Webb) also paid tributes to Sir Walter’s fine dispositio nand unfailing courtesy and helpfulness.