LATE MR. T. E. TAYLOR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 134, 29 July 1911, Page 5

LATE MR. T. E. TAYLOR.

EULOGY IX THE HOUSE OF .HE PRESENTAT 1 WES. SOME STRIKING SPEECHES. (Per Press Associ-.il ioii ' Wellington, July 28. J ii the House of Representatives tin’s afternoon Sir James Carroll referred to the death or -Mr. i. E. Taylor, who, since the House last met, had boon gathered to the fold. Sir James characterised the deceased politician as a strong, fearless man, wnose loss would Ire Keenly felt by the country. His extraordinary powers soared to the highest. He was-a genius who was on the rising tide to claim public favour when ho v. as taken away. Tire late Air. Taylor’s untimely disappearance from tr.e House .closed a career

of ucoiuluoss which the country migh have had advantage of, for ids use fulness as a public man was becomim

more apparent every day. . This country had lost a powerful mind, a strong vigorous spirit of tireless energy, a

great champion of the democracy. Words failed him to describe the deceased’s qualities fittingly. Ho moved ‘‘That the House place on record its high sense of appreciation of the services rendered to the Legislature by the late Mr. T. E. Taylor, and extend to the widow and family the assurance of its sympathy for them in their bereavement.”

Mr. W. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, in seconding the motion, wished to express his sincere sympathy with the widow and family of the late Mr. T. E. Taylor. Though many differed with the lion, gentleman, all were ready to honour the memory of one of whom no one could say did not possess many good and remarkable qualities. Ho had few equals oh the platform, and no equal as far a v s this country was concerned. No member who ever sat in the New Zealand Parliament ever forgot Mr. T. E. Taylor.

I'll© Hon. Gf. Fowl els said that today Now Zealand mourned the less of the greatest politician over seen in New Zealand. Mr. Taylor was without doubt the greatest speaker ever heard in Parliament or on the platform in New Zealand. He had heard most of the great speakers of the Old Land, and lie placed the late Mr. T. E. Taylor second to none. The position New Zealand occupied in the temperance world was mainly due to Mr. Taylor and a few others associated with him in the earlier periods of the movement. Since Mr. Seddon died, he was sure nothing had made so great an impression on the public as the death of Mr. T. E. Taylor. Those who had not seen Mr. Taylor in the bosom of Ins family had not seen him at hi" best. The Hon. D. Buddo said he had been associated with the late Mr. T. E. Taylor for many years, and was always impressed with the way he stood up for wjiht he believed to be right. Ho was perhaps at his best when in a minority. He was always unselfish and honest in all bis work for the public good. Several other members eulogised the deceased as a politician and a man, and expressed sympathy with his family. The Bouse rose at 3.45 p.m. until 7.30 on Tuesday. HIS LAST WORDS. Christchurch, July 23. Messages of • sympathy witn Mrs. Taylor nave been pouring in all the morning, the common note being admiration for the v splondid fighting career of the dead man. The disposition amongst local prohig bitionists is to make an appeal to the Dominion for national prombition this year as a memorial to the dead leader of the movement, and probably this will 1)0 adopted as the rallying cry of the party in the coining campaign. Mr. Taylor knew on Wednesday morning that his case was hopeless, and sent for his friends to discuss business affairs and various aspects of political work. His farewell words to Mr. L. 51. Isitt were: “I have made many mistakes, but I have tried to live an unselfish life for the good of the many.” Earlier ho had said: “I have had a happy life, and it lias been full from beginning to end. I am very tiled. J know 1 shall be happier where I am going, but 1 am glad to think that f have lived out every moment, and that 1 have tried to do always what was right.’ THE CITY’S SORROW. Christchurch, duly 23. Flags were at half-mast in the city to-day as an indication of the city’s sorrow at the passing of the Mayor, Mr. T. E. Taylor. Everywhere the sad event was discussed, and there was only the cue opinion that the city had sustained a loss which was irreparable. There is no one who can bo to Christchurch what Mr. Taylor was to it. Ready sympathy flowed towards the bereaved wife and family, whose loss is even greater and more poignant than that of the city. This morning messages of sympathy with Mrs. Taylor and family and tributes to the late Mr. Taylor' were received from all parts of the Dominion. People, and organisations seemed to bo affected with one feeling of sorrow that such an outstanding figure in the public life of the country had been so suddenly removed. The following are extracts from some of the telegrams received

The Clovornor telegraphed to Mrs. Tavlor as follows: “Her Excellency and ! desire to express cur sincere sympathy to you and your family in the sad and premature death of your husband.”—lslington. The Hon. J. A. MUlar: ‘Tt is with deepest regret that I learned of the death of your dear husband, and I bog to express to you dud your family my heartfelt sympathy in your bereavement. Parliament has indeed lost by Mr. Taylor’s death a member who was gifted with exceptional talent and ability, and whose sincerity of purpose was a marked characteristic of his public career.” The Hon. I). Bnddo: “I deeply regret to learn of the death oi your dear husband. Unselfish throughout his public career, he spent his lire in the public interest. His loyalty and friendship will be a. memory to all who know him. Mrs. Bnddo joins with me in conveying to you our deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement.” The Hon. 0. .Tones, member of the .Legislative’ Council: “Mr. Taylor was universally esteemed for his faithful and distinguished service in the people’s cause.” Mr. C. Witty, M.P. : “1 trust you will find some comfort in the knowledge that iic died working for the people.” The Hon. R. McKenzie: “We tender yourself and family our sincere svmnathv in vonr great less. ‘Mr. W. Xnswoi thy, M.P.: ‘‘The country can ill a fiord to lose one el such untiring energy.” Mr. J. P. Luke, M.P.: “Mr. Taylor’s death makes a serious breach in the bulwarks of national righteousness.” Messages of condolence were rocciv-

eel from almost every member of the House.

Mr. Richard Hazelton, ALP., the Home Rule delegate: “1 am shocked beyond expression at the tragic news of the death of your distinguished husband. Wo feel it as a personal loss. My colleagues join me in offering you our sorrowing sympathy.”

When, the Magistrate’s Court commenced its sittings this morning, the .Magistrate, Air. T. A. B. Bailey, .stated that he could add nothing to the eulogies which had already appeared in the papers as to the sterling qualities of the late Mayor. His death was a very great loss, not only to the city, but to the country as a whole. Air. Taylor had bear a man of many parts and of sterling qualities. Whenever ho had put ins hand to anything he had not turned hack, and his steadfastness to his ideals was very marked. His energy and industry had been the wonder of everybody. The late Air. Taylor had been a born fighter, and it would be some satisfaction to his friends to know that lie had lived and died in harness. The Magistrate then adjourned the Court for half an hour as a tribute of respect to the late Mayor’s memory.

THE FUNERAL. Christchurch, July 28. The funeral will leave tiie City Council building at 2.30 p.m. on Sunday for the Addington Cemetery. The body will be brougnt to the Council Chamber's at 10 a.m. on Sunday, and will remain in the chamber until the afternoon. The Council Chambers will bo open to the public between 10.30 a.rn. and 2 p.m. on Sunday. G OVERXMENT REPRESENTATION. Wellington, July 28. The Government will be represented at Mr. Taylor’s funeral by the Acting Premier (Sir James Carroll), Hon. Geo. If on Ids, and Hon. 1). Buddo, who leave for Onristchurch to-night. Mr. C. A. C. Hardy, chief Opposition Whip, will officially represent, the Opposition. Among members who r xend neing present are Alessrs. Laurenson, Davey, Witty, and Poole. SKETCH OF H!S CAREER. According to a special article appearing in the “New Zealand Times,” the late Mr. Thomas Edward Taylor was born at Kirton, Lincolnshire, on June IGtn, 1862. He arrived in New Zealand with his parents on the ship Cardigan Castle in 1874. He was educated in primary schools at West Christchurch and Avonside. Mr. Taylor was for nearly twenty years in the a inploy of Alessrs. J. M. Heywood and Co., forwarding agents, and for several years prior to leaving the firm occupied the position of manager. In February, 1893, he entered into business on his own account as commission agent and importer. Air. Taylor’s first appearance in municipal politics .was in Syclnenham, "Tien that part of the city was a separate borough. He was one of six candidates for three vacant seats on the Council, and the poll placed him third on the list, tiie other two successful candidates being Alessrs. AVilliam White and TVilliam Langdown. i ho election took place on September Sbh, 1887, anjl Mr. Taylor served Sydenham ,as a councillor for several years. First Pas iiamsntary Eiccticn. He first sought Parliamentary honours in 1896, mien tnc appointment of the Hon. W. P. Reeves as Agent-Gen-eral left one or cue Christchurch City seats vacant. The by-election tools place oh February loth, and it will ‘>3 remembered teat it excited tremendous interest. There were three canciidates in the field—Hz., Mr. Charles Le wis, who was standing m the Opposition interest, Mr. R. M. Taylor, wno was the Government nominee, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, who was the elect of the prohibition party. The election was won by Mr. Lewis with 4174 votes Mr. T. E. Taylor was second with 4102 votes, and Air. R. M. Taylor third with 3196 votes. The general election followed on December 4th of the same year, and on this occasion Air. Taylor was returned as junior member for Christchurch. There were eleven candidates for the three grouped seats, and the successful ones were Mr. Charles Lewis, Mr. (now the Hon.) G. J. Smith, and Air. T. E. Taylor . Mr. Taylor throughout his political life adopted the role of critic, and ho was responsible for some of the most exciting incidents in the late political life of the country. He made it his boast that lie was absolutely independent of party, and at a recent meeting in Richmond said that ho won three elections without the aid of any political party. The Police Commission which was appointed in the session of 1897 was largely the result of Air. Tajlor’s action in the House. His election record was in some respects a remarkable one. He was elected in 1896, defeated in 1899, elected again in 1902, defeated again in 1905, and elected again in 1908. Gig Events in Politics.-

The events of political significance with which Mr. Taylor has been prominently associated" readily leap into one’s memory. There was the first Police Commission of 1897, the voucher incident, the Seddon-Tayior case, and the anti-Dreadnought agitation of last year. Mr. Taylor was most prominently associated with the prohibition .movement in Christchurch and in Xew Zealand, Ho helped to form the Prohibition League in 1890, and has been one of the most active and enthusiastic lecturers on prohibition and no-license. He often said that his first speeches were made in the Square under the old sycamore tree near the Godley statue. It was an excellent training ground for him, as it must bo admitted that as an open-air speaker he had few equals. He could hold rapt attention of the largest crowds. His faculty for repartee was a great asset to him in those meetings, and there vers few who after once encountering his rapior-liko wit cared to run the risk of a second bout. In 1891 he was elected a member of the Sydenham Licensing Committee, whose deliberations were the cause of some interesting and important" litigation. The inclusion of the rational prohibition issue in the licensing ballot

uaper by the amendment of th eAct last session gave Mr. 'Taylor unbounded satisfaction. After the session closed he addressed quite a number of public meetings here on -that question, and journeyed to Dunedin to address a monster meeting there. Mr- Taylor as Mayor. The election of Mr. Taylor to the office of Chief Magistrate of the City of Christchurch took place on April 2Gth, when lie was returned by a substantial majority. On all sides were heard expressions of the utmost sympathy mingled with the hope that Mr. Taylor would speedily recover. The deceased leaves a widow and six children. including one sen, an infant.