KILLED IN ACTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12081, 9 August 1917, Page 3

KILLED IN ACTION.

CAPTAIN W. H. D. BELL.

INFERENCES IN PARLIAMENT. MOTIONS OF SYMPATHY. [Per Press Assoctatiow.] WELLT NO TON, August 8 ]'u tho. House of Representatives this afternoon the Prime A! inister moved a. resolution of sympathy -with S'r Francis and Lady Bell in connection with the death of their son, Captain W. H. .1). Hell, a former member for Wellington. Suburbs, who lias been killed at, t.h„ front. In doinq so Mr Masso.v paid a. tribute to the deceased otiieer's recognised ability as a. member of the New Zealand Bar and of tho Hou.se. Captain 801 l went to Samoa with the Expeditionary Force, and then proceeded to England, and joined King Edward's Horse, -with which company ho took part in several actions, and (lis l mguished himself- Ho was mentioned in despatches during thf) past low months. The Prime Minister said ho felt, sure 1 that the sympathy of all members -would go out to Sir Francis and Lady 801 l in their loss, hut they had the satisfaction of knowing that ih';' patriotism of such young men as their son -would live for ever. The mom or v of their deeds would never 1)0 forgotten. While sympathising with tho parents, however, he was ooniidient that they would rather know that their son's bones lio oil ioreign soil, as they do at this hour, than feci that he had tailed in his duty.

Sir Joseph Ward said that in this case, as in all oases, sympathy would go out to the hereavod parents. Tho late Captain Bell possessed an uncommon .hue of natural ability, and his fine education mado him a. prominent) figure on the floor of the House. His speeches always wero worthy of the closest attention. H 0 had an analytical mind, supported by logical reasoning powers, consequently his utterances in Parliament never failed to reach ,i high standard. The hoart strings of many parents were being wrung at the pre.-mt juncture, and though they know that the death of their sons was a noble one, it was none the less poignant to thoso to whom they belong. He often had tried, to realise what an amount of sorrow was being covered up by the people of New Zealand, and it must be. so in the ease of tho parents of Captain Bell, to whom he desired to extend his sincere .sympathy. Sir James Allen, Mr Wilford, Mr Wright... Dr Newman, the Hon Dr Poxnare and Mr lsitt also spoke, and tho resolution was carried in silence.

Before moving the adjournment of tlio House till 7.30j as a. mark of respect, to tlio Into Captain 8011, tlio Prime Minister mentioned that news also had come through that day that Sergeant Rhodes,' son of t-ho member for Thames, had been killed at the front, and ho desired to extend to the bereaved parents his deepest sympathy in their loss. After Sir Joseph Ward had spoken in sympathetic terms tlio House rose. IX THE COUNCIL. When the 'legislative Council resumed this afternoon the Hon ()■ Samuel, who carried out the duties of acting Leader, moved a resolution regarding the death of Sir Francis Bell's son similar io that carried by the. House of Kepre.wita lives. Mr Samuel said thai, ('iiutain Bell was beginning to mako his mark in the House- as well as in ih" I/A\v Courts, but he was one of the iir. t to recognise "hai- it was tlio duty of every Briton t-o imperil his jifo and future prospects in defence) of the .Empire. D<\ii.-h n.ust come: lo all of us, and how co;ikl it coinipi more gracefully than when :'t met 1 one in the performance of such a high duty. The motion was seconded by the Hon R. Moore, was carried.