THE LATE MR T. E. TAYLOR

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 141, 7 August 1911, Page 5

THE LATE MR T. E. TAYLOR

IX MEMO IUAM SERVICES

(Per Press Association.)

Christchurch, August G.

The Christchurch Prohibition League held an in memomiam service to the Into Mr. T. E. 'Taylor in His Majesty's Theatre this afternoon. The building was filled in every part, and a number were unable to gam admission. The proceedings were marked by groat feeling and reverence, the especial feature being the unanimity with which the audience joined in singing the hymns, including one of Mr. Taylor’s favourites, “0 Toid Who by ’Thy Presence.”

The Rev. L. M. Isitt presided, and said the vutnicss but kindly hand of death tore away the veil between Mr. Taylor’s heart and purpose, and the judgment of the people, it was always the Jet of one who made a struggle for reform to have his mistakes exaggerated and iiis purposes disguised by those whoso interests were opposed to him, but lie (the speaker) firmly believed that hundreds and thousands of people in the Dominion whose judgment was in suspense, who wondered if the late Mr. Taylor was really the man that they declared him to be. Alter reading cf his joyous departure from tins life every doubt had been swept away, and tney recognised tinJ man to lie the man ne was and reverence and love displaced all distrust. Owing to the carelessness of the masses men were suspicious of the sincerity and earnestness of purpose of those who figured us their leaders, but as soon as tney recognised the divino spark in any man and realised that lie was turn to the core, that which Cod implanted in their own htarts responded fo Die wards and example of such a ’eader. Mrs. H. Colo spoke on behalf of the women of New Zealand and of the W.C.T.U., and paid a high tribute to the late Mr. Taylor for the work done by him for the women of the Dominion, and also to him as a husband and father.

Mr. J. McCombs, in an eulogistic speech, dwelt upon Mr. Taylor’s sacrifices for the good of the people and the furtherance of no-license, and concluded by saying the monument to Mr Taylor’s memory would bo a word inspiring monument of national prohibition. (Applause.) The Rev. J. Dawson also eulogised the life work of Mr. Taylor, saying that ho was no mean citizen of Christchurch in his intense zeal for reform. Mr. Taylor, in his attacks upon wrong, was vehement, but people generally did not know how gentle and tender and kindly and loyal the real man was in his home and private life. A member of the police force had said to him last week: ‘‘Mr. Dawson, the policemen of this country have lost their best friend.” There had been insinuations during the last year that Mr. Taylor was joining the Labour Party in the hope that ho might got a lead. Ho (the speaker) wanted to say that it was the Labour Party that had joined Mr. Taylor. (Applause.) He had been a worker and tno workers’ friend and advocate all the time he was in Parliament.

In many city churches to-night me-A mortal services were held, and in the f evening the Labour Party held a memorial meeting in His Majesty’s Theatre.

IMPRESSIVE WELLINGTON SERVICE. Wellington, August 6. A very impressive memorial service to the late-Mr. T. E. Taylor was held in the Town Hall this afternoon, and was 1 attehdccl Hy'ovcf 2000 people. The Roy. W. J. Comrio presided. Besides representatives of the local clergy, there were present'the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. T. M. Whiter 1, M.P), tiie Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), and the Wellington members of Parliament. The service included tho singing of the hymns “Lead, Kindly Ligtit,” and “Abide with Mo.” Addresses were given iy tho C nairman, Messrs. A. R. Atkinson, G. Lauronson, M.P;, and the Rev. J. J. North, all of whom paid high.tributes to the decoasod’s character and the tremendous efforts ho had made in regard to social reform. Mr. Maughan Barnett, R C 0., city organist, played the dead march in “Saul.” A sum of £29 was collected towards the Taylor memorial fund.