WELL-EARNED TRIBUTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19049, 30 June 1924, Page 4

WELL-EARNED TRIBUTES

In commenting editorially on the tributes paid by Parliament to members and ex-members of the Legislature who 'had passed away since the preceding I session, the N.Z. Tinies of Saturday 'says:—Parliament is, after all, a [human institution, and its humanity is always recognised as the best thing about it. In this year’s obituary case four memories had to be noted—those of Dr. Newman, and Messrs Louisson, Carson and Stallworthy, members of (Puliament who, during the recess, ■have gone over to that majority which jail must sooner or later belong to. Parliament paid them all the tribute of acknowledgment of good service honourably done. It testified that each had done his best according to high, honest notions of duty. It made it clear that it regarded them as not only estimable in their private lives, but as having played the part of good patriots in their public lives. All four, it was made clear, had done their duty in the best, most serious, and highest spirit of devotion. Dr. Newman’s was the name outstanding by reason of his greater length of service. He was one of the last survivors of the Parliament of 1884. In the second Parliamentary session of that year—a fateful yea for New Zealand—he appeared first in Parliament, in company with a galaxy of young, ardent politicians, all determined to win their spurs. The brilliant Scobie Mackenzie, the courteous Menteath, the able Samuel (who still survives and is going strong in the Legislative Council), Newman, who succeeded to the seat of the late Sir Charles Johnstone —these and others formed the most brilliant band of recruits the Parliamentary forces had ever seen up to that day. They have passed away

in a cloud of admiration, and each had his obituary in both Houses. The memory of the older observers is touched as they read the speeches; their sorrow for the friends who have goue takes on a touch of its first bitterness, and their sympathy for those they have left behind in their homes fills their hearts. They learn, also, lessons of well done as first of obligations, of consideration given always with ability, of the courage with which declining years and the grim approach of death has been faced. They realise once again, for Parliamentary life is full of realisations, that men of Parliament are men of selection. They are meu of initiative, men who have ideals, and have struggled for them, standing by them strongly against every opposition; men who, to enter the portals, held magical by many, have worked, fought, and endured. And so realising, we add our tribute of respect to the obituaries pronounced by men who know, and puss ou in respectful memorial silence, for men who have something attempted and something done.