STAND ADMIRED

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1932, Page 7

STAND ADMIRED

'•"MR.'ALEXANDER MACKINTOSH! BANK OFFICER’S TRIBUTE. It will very likely be-’a - surprise ■•to some of our readers, says the New Zealand Banker, official : organ of the New Zealand Bank “to be informed that one of our guild members has been the central figure in the political incident that has created _ such a sensation throughout the Dominion in recent days. We refer to Mr. Alexander Mackintosh, who was summonedrto appear before a committee of Parliament for committing a breach of privilege by his references, in-his addendum to the report of the National Expenditure Adjustment Commission, to certain political practices. “We join with many in an. indignant protest against the contemptible treatment Mr. Mackintosh received »at the hands of certain members of the House of Representatives. Their action had an effect that they little reckoned on, and still less, desired, for it caused a burst of' indignation throughout the country that was as extraordinary as it was refreshing. On the other hand, the man whom they sought to humiliate has become a national hero—a veritable John Hampden. The offence of both was that they dared to attack and expose abuses. One of the greatest needs of the world to-day is men of honour, dignity and courage—men of the stamp of Alexander Macintosh. “We-recall with admiration the stand Mr. Macintosh took in connection with the establishment of the guild. Although he had held the post of chief executive of three banking institutions, he showed a practical sympathy with the then unpopular cause of the sorely-tried bank cl Arks. With gratitude we remember the splendid service he rendered our cause on that. memorable night on July 24, 1919, when he presided over the meeting in- the Y.M.C.A., Wellington, at which the frail guild ship was launched. In the-midst of the many trials and difficulties, we encountered in the early years, we found • Mr. Macintosh a wise and sympathetic counsellor. As a slight mark of personal esteem and in appreciation of the good services he has rendered, and his continued interest in the guild,, he was in 1930 created our first honorary member. . “Accordingly, when honouring Mr. Macintosh for his splendid action, we ourselves feel honoured in the possession of one in our ranks who has set the Dominion—and his fellow-members of the guild—so noble an example of strength of character, devotion to duty, and true patriotism.”