A NATIONAL LOSS

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1640, 12 May 1925, Page 5

A NATIONAL LOSS

PRIME MINISTER THE En}d : COMES PEACEFULLY. "The Pftae Minister's illness ended fatally at 5.40 .p.m. on Sunday, at bis home in Tinakori Road, Wellington. The etid came peacefully, and Mr Massey passed away quietly, and without pain, in the presence of his family.;. "

His illness was borne with characteristic fortitude. At times he suffered much pain, but never complained. On. Friday night his condition became very grave. He had, during four days, maintained steadily a slight improvement the serious symptoms of liis complaint having lessened appreciably. The relapse on Friday evening was attended by a gradual weakening of the patient's condition. Hope of recovery, which had momentarily returned, gave out, and the end came late in the afternoon. Those near to Mr Massey during his last hours were moved by the wonderful vitality his great constitution exhibited, and the sturdy fight he put up against .the malady he suffered irom.

He was conscious almost to the ilast moment.

A private burial ground for the late Prime Minister will be constituted by His Excellency's warrant. A small part of the Defence reserve at Point Halswell, overlooking Wellington Harbour, has been specially set apart for that purpose. The, body will be interred there, the funeral service being conducted by the Moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly, who wil come from Dunedin for the duty. The funeral will take place on Thursday.

His Excellency the Governor-Gene-ral left Auckland by the limited express on Sunday evening, and arrived in Wellington next morning.

OFFICIAL MOURNING.

SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC OFFICES \ CLOSED.

<By Telegraph. Press Association.) WELLINGTON. Monday. The following official statements "were issued from Parliament House last nfght:— It is requested that all wreaths be •forwarded to the Prime Minister's office. Parliament Buildings, and not to the Ministerial residence in Tinakori Road. The Government has suggested to the Boards of Education that all the ■schools be closed on Thursday, the jday of the funeral. Public Service Commissioner "has advised all the departments of the Public Service in his control that all offices should be closed until after the funeral. The only offices to be kept open will be those necessary for the transaction of public business.

PROCEDURE ON DEATH OF PRIME MINISTER, !

WHAT IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN.

WELLINGTON, Monday. ""With the death of a Prime Minister," remarked a recognised constitutional authority, "the political situation may or may not suffer material changes. In the present instance no doubt the usual course will be followed. That is to say His Excellency the Governor-General will send for one of the political party leaders, presumably the Senior Minister of the Reform Government. In that case it would no doubt be the Acting-Prime Minister, Sir Francis Bell, who would "be called on to form a Ministry. Meantime pending developments the present holders of portfolios in the Ministry would presumably be continued by Gazette notice in their existing offices."

The impression prevails in some •quarters that the office of Prime Minister must be held by a member of the •House of Representatives. This is not the case. In 1875 the /Hon. D. Pollen. M.L.C., was Prime Minister for a Bhort period, and Sir Frederick Whitaker, M.L.C., filled the office from April 1882 until September 1883.

MRS MASSEY'S THANKS

WELLINGTON, This Day.

Mrs Massey ha s issued the following in recognition of the numerous messages of sympathy which have Teached her:—"The affection expressed for my husband and the assurance of prayers on his behalf to the Almighty in Whom he believed have been a revelation to us and a great comfort during the past six weeks. We are all most grateful." At a special meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Alliance the president made special reference to the death of the Prime Minister and the meeting passed a resolution of sympathy with Mrs Massey and family, after which the meeting adjourned.

Similar resolutions were passed by the Schools Association and Christmas Gifts Fund.

CHARACTERISTIC '•> TRIBUTE.

• / GISBORNE, This Day. 'A message has been forwarded to the Native Minister, Hon. J. G. Coates, on behalf of the Whanare, Apanui, Ngatiporou and Tamunuhiri tribes deploring the loss of Mr Massey. "Our hearts are sad at King Death having taken toll. The earth has been shaken to its foundation. Farewell, old man. Go to home of your ancestors and the multitude will take the word hence that generations who follow are aiming to carry on the good works founded by them. Take our love to Richard 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."

TRIBUTES FROM OVERSEAS. WELLINGTON, This Day. Hon. J. A. Secretary lof State for the Colonies, has cabled to Mrs Massey: "Most sincere sympathy from Mrs Amery and self. I deeply regret the loss of an old friend, one whose faith in the Empire never faltered " i

Governor-General: "Lady Jellicoe and I mourn with New Zealand the loss of its great,Prime Minister. Please convey our deepest sympathy to Mrs Massey and the Government." Sir James Allen, High Commissioner, has cabled to Sir Francis Bell expressing profound regret at Mr Massey's death, and sympathy for the family. "Death has taken from us a most ardent, Empire builder, and the United Kingdom; the Dominions and Colonies, will all regret Mr Massey's demise."

Mr Bruce, Australia's Prime Minister, in his cabled condolences, says the outstanding qualities of this great statesman will long be remembered by citizens of the Empire. His place in the Council of Empire will be difficult to fill.

SYMPATHY FROM TE AWAMUTU.

At the local District High School yesterday morning feeling reference to the death of the Prime Minister was made by the headmaster (Mr J. F. Roberts) and Rev. H. White (School Committeeman) each pointing out the loss of such an eminent statesman and traversing briefly some of the chief incidents of the deceased leader's career from youth up to the proud position he had gained in the Empire's affairs. The addresses were listened to attentively, and then the school duties were resumed. The whole of the schools in this district; in common with those throughout the Dominion, will be closed on Thursday. Flags were flown half-mast from all the flagstaffs in the town and at the schools in the country districts yesterday, as marks of sincere sympathy for the sorrowing relatives. Immediately after the installation of the 'Mayor and Councillors of the Borough of Te Awamutu last evening, the Mayor (Mr L. G. Armstrong) referred to the death on Sunday of the Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister. He said the whole populace knew that Mr Massey was in precarious health and therefore his passing was not unexpected. But nevertheless people sustained something of a shock when the truth dawned upon them that such a fine type of gentleman, statesman and Imperialist had gone to 'his last rest. There was very widespread sympathy for his bereaved widow and family, and on behalf of the burgesses of Te Awamutu he moved that a vote of sympathy be recorded. Mr Massey was an emblem of the best type of man New Zealand could produce. He was honest, straightforward and forceful.* His record achievement among ' Dominions of the Empire, of holding office throughout the Great War and to date was a remarkable one, and that had singled him out as a noteworthy statesman. He was admired and respected throughout New Zealand and throughout the English speaking world. It was a privilege to know him and an honour to be associated with him.

Cr. Spinley seconded the motion of condolence, and said that his first contact with that gentleman was when the deceased statesman first entered Parliament. From that time —over 30 years ago—he had gradually won his way higher and higher up the'ladder of public estimation until to-day his passing was truly a national loss and calamity.

•Cr. McGechie, speaking to the motion, said he had been a neighbouring farmer with Mr Massey many years ago, and that' gentleman was of a type all too scarce nowadays. The speaker went on to refer to some of the incidents of Mr Massey's life 30 years ago at Mahgere, and then said "New Zealand has lost a great statesman. Probably the strongest trait in that gentleman's character was his sincerity and honesty. His passing was indeed a loss that this country and the Empire could ill afford." The motion was then carried in silence, all standing.

SYMPATHY OF WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Before the usual business of the Waipa County Council was proceeded with at Ohaupo yesterday morning the chairman (Cr. D. S. Reid) referred to the death the previous day of the Prime Minister, than whom there was no more highly-respected man in the whole Dominion. Mr-Reid said it had been known .for some weeks that Mr Massey's health was precarious, but in view of the nature of his malady no man would regret this passing, but there was no man who would deny Mr Massey's worth as a statesman and as a friend to all. It was doubtful if any Prime Minister in the Empire had achieved so much as Mr Massey, who had handled this country's affairs magnificently. The crippled and the maimed, the widow and the orphan, all had cause to revere him as a sturdy and loyal friend and advocate. Personally he regarded the deceased gentleman as a genuine friend, and politically he was a staunch Imperialist whose passing was a loss to the Empire. New Zealand had had many fine leaders of its destinies, but he had no hesitation in saying that Mr Massey had proved himself the greatest of them all. Mr Massey was a God-fear-ing man who had ever endeavoured to do in this world what was right, and now he had gone to meet the Great King and Master in the next. " I am confident that the Master will greet IHis servant with the words, ' Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast proved faithful in smaller matters. Come thou to Me, and I will make you master of many.' " Continuing, Mr Reid said he could but ask the Council to rise and pass a resolution of sincere sympathy with the deceased statesman's relatives. This was done, after which it was decided to at once forward it by telegraph to Mrs Massey.

WAIPA RUGBY UNION SYMPATHY. .At the conclusion of the business •at last night's meeting of the Waipa Rugby Union, the chairman, Mr F. Quin, referred to the great loss the Dominion had sustained through the death of the Prime Minister, Hon. W. F. Massey. No matter of what political opinion anyone may be they had to admit that Mr Massey's demise was a great loss and he moved a sincere vote of sympathy with the relatives. 4

ing. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS. WELLINGTON, This Day. Mr Massey's funeral procession leaves Parliament Buildings at 1.30 p.m. on Thursday by motor. For the funeral the use of gun carriages was suggested, but the idea has been abandoned owing to the time required by such a vehicle over the seven miles' route to Point Halswell, via Newton and Constable Street, over the hill into Kilbirnie, thence following Short's and Evan's Bay to Shelly Bay, whence the procession detours up the hillside. The hearse will not be able to approach nearer than five hundred yards to the grave. Bands will be stationed at intervals along the route. The Last Post will be sounded by a trumpeter at the grave-