DEATH OF LEGISLATORS

Taranaki Daily News, 31 August 1935, Page 9

DEATH OF LEGISLATORS

HOUSE SHOWS ITS RESPECT GOOD SERVICE TO THE DOMINION. ADJOURNMENT OF THE SITTING. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY ON TUESDAY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Reference was made in the House of Representatives to-day to former members of Parliament who died during the recess, and motions placing on record appreciation of the services they had rendered the Dominion were carried. Referring to the late Mrs. E. R. McCombs the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes said her death would leave a great sense of loss with those who had been associated with her in the great social work she had done practically all her life. She was a woman of great ability and took part in public life in the full. Entering the House she earned the respect of all members by her sincerity. There was no doubt her passing was mourned by a large section of the people. Mr. M. J. Savage, Leader of the Opposition, said Mrs. McCombs had been in the vanguard of social reformers practicatly all her life, and wherever she had. been she had left her mark. She had earned the love and esteem of those for whom she laboured. In the House, too, she had set a very high standard which would be hard for others to equal. Mr. Forbes, speaking of the late Mr. James Craigie, said Mr. Craigie entered the House in 1908 and was very assiduous in his duties. He was a fine citizen, a very affectionate father to hjs family and had a wide circle of close friends.

. Mr. Sayage said Mr. Craigie was one of the pioneers of monetary reform in New Zealand and never lost an opportunity of expressing his opinions in that direction, either privately or publicly. He was a man of progressive ideas and always had a warm corner in his heart for the poor. The Hon. J. Bitchener referred to Mr. Craigie’s work at Timaru and said there was no man who had done more for South Canterbury than Mr. Craigie. He was sure Timaru would not have been anything like the place it was to-day if it had not been for Mr. Craigie. Mr. Forbes said Mr. G. V. Pearce also entered the House in 1908. He was a practical farmer and played an important part in the development of the primary .industries, .especially in the development of the Patea district. Mr. Savage said Mr. Pearce was one of the pioneers of'New. Zealand’s primary industries. Many other members spoke to the motions. The House adjourned at 4.20 as a mark of respect to the memories of those referred to. The House will meet again at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, when the Address-in-Reply will be moved.