THE PEOPLE’S SYMPATHY.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1925, Page 8

THE PEOPLE’S SYMPATHY.

NEW PLYMOUTH TRIBUTES. “A great MAX HAS PASSED.’* MEMORIAL SERVICE ON THURSDAY. “That this council, representing the citizens of New Plymouth, places upon record its profound sorrow at . the death of the Prime Minister, the Rt. lion. William Massey, P.C., and its sincere appreciation of the devoted and distinguished services which he rendered to the Empire, and directs that the deepest sympathy of the people of New Plymouth be tendered to Mrs. Massey and family in their sad bereavement.’*

■Standing in silence, the New Plymouth Borough Council, at a specially convened meeting last night, passed this resolution and a similar one expressing sympathy with the Ministry in the loss of their leader.

“This council, as the representatives of the citizens, should take the earliest notice of an event which has affected the people of the Dominion iso deeply,” said the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) in moving the motions. “Whatever political views we hold, we all acknowledge that a very great man has passed away, a man whose real greatness, I believe, is not yet recognised.”

Expressions of regret at the passing of Mr. Massey were heard on every hand in New Plymouth yesterday. The flag was at half-mast on the Government and private buildings, and the schools and State offices (excepting essential services) were closed. The schools will re-open to-day, closing again on Thursday, while the State offices will be closed till Friday morning. THURSDAY’S ARRANGEMENTS. It is understood that business will be suspended throughout Thursday, which will be observed as a day Of mourning throughout the Dominion. The second <iay of the Hawera races, fixed for Thursday, has been postponed till Saturday. A memorial service will be held at St, Mary’s Anglican Church on Thursday at the hour fixed for the funeral, and at the request of the vicar (the Rev. F. G. Harvie) the members of the borough council will attend. A special train will leave New Plymouth at seven o’clock on Wednesday evening, leaving Wellington on the return journey at 8.60 on Thursday night. This will enable members of local bodies and others wishing to attend the Premier’s funeral to do so.

Feeling reference to the death of the Premier was made by the chairman of the New Plymouth Harbour Board (Mr. C. E. Bellringer) at the annual meeting yesterday afternoon. The following resolution was carried, members standing in silence:—“That this board places on record its deep regret on hearing of the death of the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, and its high appre"ciation of the conspicuous ability and zeal with which he rendered great and enduring service to the Empire and to the Dominion. We deplore his loss, and express to Mrs. Massey and her family our sincere sympathy with them in the irreparable loss they sustain in their sad bereavement.” It was resolved to forward a copy of this resolution to Mrs. Massey and the acting-prime Minister. As a mark of respect the meeting, which had been called for yesterday morning, was adjourned until 2.30 in the afternoon.

WIDESPREAD TRIBUTE, ■Before dispersing after the. usual weekly luncheon yesterday the New Plymouth Rotary Club passed a motion of condolence with Mrs. Massey and her family, the members standing in silence a few moments and then singing a verse of the National Anthem. The directors of the Moa Dairy Company, at their meeting yesterday, passed a vote of sympathy in connection with the death of the Premier. At the meeting of producers which was held at New Plymouth yesterday to discuss marketing proposals, a vote of sympathy was passed with the relatives of the Premier, those present standing in silence. The meeting subsequently adjourned for ten minutes as a mark of respect. The New Plymouth Citizens’ Band, at its rehearsal last night, played the Garland of Flowers, as a memorial to the late Prime Minister, and passed a resolution of sympathy with Mrs. Massey and family, and deplored the loss to the Dominion of such a fine statesman and Imperialist.

A vote of condolence with the relatives of the late Prime Minister was passed at a meeting of the Waitara Chamber of Commerce last evening. Numerous local bodies and private citizens throughout Taranaki sent messages of condolence to Mrs. Massey and family.

SYMPATHY OF MAORIS. MESSAGE FROM TRIBES. By Telegraph—Preu Association Gisborne, Last Night. On behalf of the Maoris of the Poverty Bay district the following message, signed by Messrs W. Pitt and W. Delamere, on behalf of the Whanau, Apanui, Ngatiporou, Aitanga, Amahiki, Rongowha'kaata and Tamunuhiri tribes, has been forwarded to the Native Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates): “We deeply deplore the loss and our hearts are sad at King Death having taken toll. The giant totara has fallen and the earth has been shaken to its foundation. Farewell, old man. Go to the home of your ancestors, and the multitude take word hence that the generations who follow are aiming to carry on the good works founded by them. Take our love to (Seddon; neither of you will ever be forgotten by your Maori people nor your Pakeha brethren. May the good work you have done in this world be an everlasting monument to your memory, and the younger generation. Farewell! Farewell! Go hence to the home where all must follow, and leave us here as orphans to mourn our loss. Kindly convey to the house of mourning, and especially to the widow, our deepest affection and sympathy in her irreparable loss.” The following telegram has been sent by Lady Carroll to Mrs. Massey: “Deepest sympathy in your irreparable loss of a good man, father and husband. May the knowledge that the whole of the people of the Dominion, nay the nation, mourn with you support you in this time of trial.”