The Late Prime Minister.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 15 May 1925, Page 2

The Late Prime Minister.

FUNERAL OBSEQUIES AT WELLINGTON A DAY OF NATIONAL MOURNING PKa rnF-S8 ashociahon —cofybight WELLINGTON, May 14. The obsequies of the lat > Prime Minister (Hon. W. F. Massey), were conducted to-day with impressive solemnity and dignity. It was a day when even the heavens wept. The clouds hung over the city as a pall as the great leader of New Zealand was borne from the scene of his life’s labour, but the heavy rain of the forenoon by mid-day had given place to calm. A busy, bustling town had suddenly became quiet with the shuttered silence of a Sabbath mcrning, broken only by the sound of people walking quietly towards Parliament .'.louse. From before noon there was a steady procession, and by 1 o’clock there were thousands waiting upon the slopes and in the streets adjoining Parliament House. In patient . stillness the- watched, and with reverent silence took their part in the solemn and simple service with which the last rites commenced. Then, while men bared their heads, the bier was solemly borne down the steps in a silence broken only by the strains of the “Dead March” and the mournful tolling of a bell. Ten minutes’ silence had been requested, but it was for much more than ten minutes that the waiting lines of people stood quietly by while the cortege passed slowly along the noiseless streets. From balconies and windows, as well as from pathways, many thousands watched the slowly-moving procession as the funeral car appeared, followed bv Poralladen lorries Heads were bared, and bands played stately funeral music. Thus the mortal remains of a leader beloved of all passed from the halls where he had led the councils of the nation to their last resting plac e on the silent height of Point Halswell.

A PEOPLE’S HOMAGE. During the morning a constant stream of people desiring to pay their last homage to the memory of the late Prime Minister, passed up the slopes of Parliament Grounds, and through the portals draped' in purple and black, to pass the bier, whereon lay the mortal remains ot the leader. Just before rooii there was a break in the clouds and the rain ceased. As the last of the long procession mounted the steps, umbrellas came down among the crowds lining the ropes ab-ut the statue of Mr Seddon, and the carnage way in front of the buildings On the roof of Parliament Mouse, on tire balconies and terraces, many spectators assembled, and every coign ot vantage on the buildings overlooking the grounds was early occupied. Wreaths were being brought out from the basement and placed on lorries, with raised platforms for the better display. Car after car drove up with identifying signs on the windshield to determine its order in the procession on its long journey through tne sneers of the city and out along the shore ot the bays, to the last resting place of the Prime Minister at Point Halswell. Everything moved in an orderly manner, in perfect organ.sat.on. A naval detachment arrived to take up its duty as bearers ot the casket, and then there was a long procession of veterans and returned soldiers witn medals on Droast, marching m two lines. DISTINGUISHED MOURNERS At noon there was. a slight lull, and the steps .were clear for a while. Inside could be heard the voices of the ministers, and then the Higher strain iof a Maori lament for the uead. A fitful gleam or sunshine shot through the clouds, and then the party emerged from the door of the building to take <:p Ms .position on the steps for the funeral service. In the lead were four ministers of the Church with the silverhaired Moderator, accompanied by the Bev. J. Gibson Smith. Behind were Ministers of the Crown —Sir Francis Bel), Sir James Parr, Sir Heaton Rhodes, Sir Maui Pomare, Hons. D. Guthrie, W. Nosworthy, R. Bollard, G. J. Anderson, and A. D. McLeod. The Hon. J. G. Coates did not appear at this stage, but was present later. With the Ministers was Commander Beal, representing the Navy, and behind were -several high naval officers, with General Melville representing the Army. The Deader of the Opposition (Mr T. M. Witord), and the Leader of the Labour Party (Mr H. E. Holland), were conspicuous, while Sir Joseph Ward and Sir A illiam Hall-Jones stood as Pr.me Ministers of the past. A picturesque toucn was lent to the semme garnering oy an old chief in Maori costume carrying his taiaha. He posed ior a battery of cameras, throwing off ins croak to display old Maori war medals.

MODERATOR’S MOVING ADDRESS.

The weather was clearer when the funeral service commenced from the steps Divine service was commenced by Rev. -G. Miller, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, leading the 23rd Psalm—-‘The Lord is mr Shepherd,” and part ot the 14th chapter of St. John—‘‘Let not your hear- be troubled,” Romans vm, 343«, and Isaiah xxxviii, 12, “I have lolled up like a weaver my life. He will cut me off from the loom.” "Our life,” said the preacher, “is like a web that is woven utile by little until it is complete, and tnen God cuts it off from the loom. In that web of life is to be louiid the results ot all that we have done. Whether it be bad, two things are of importance, the kind of threads that we weave with, and the kind' of pattern that we follow. '1 here are times when the shuttle is filled with very dark and dull thread, hut when ti,e web is complete and

over, according to the pattern given by Christ, our Great Example, it will be found that we grow strong through contest, wise through trial, noble through victory over adverse forces, and gentle through suffering. All bright and dull threads will be woven into wonderful and beautiful harmony, and when the web is complete, God cuts it off irom the loom. That is what we call death, but it is not death to die in Christ; it is but a failing asleep and an awakening in the presence of God. Our Lord said : ‘I am the Resurrection and the Life. He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.’ He whose body we are to lay in the grave to-day, is not dead. He is alive. He has left the land of dying, and' has entered into the land of the living. The late Prime Minister had a good upbringing. He was taught io reverence God and His Word, and that means a very great deal in any man’s life. Impressions .vere made upon his heart that never left him. The reverent way in which he quoted the Scriptures revealed his familiarity with the pages of Holy Writ. We do not sorrow to-day as those who have no hope; we believe that he rested upon the everlasting arms of God, and by faith he grasped the unfailing hand of Christ, and tnat by the saving power of the Son of God he has been liiied up into th<? heavenly places. We do not then think of han as dead; he is not dead, but is alive ior evermore, lucre is iiu death. buds

seems so is transition. inis liie oi mortal breath is but the suourb or the In© elysian, whose portal we call death, There are few men wlio have not regarded death with something of aversion, and we all sympathise with the touching, prayer of Dr. Matheson, ■ the mind' preacher of .Edinburgh, author or the beautiful hymn, 'U Love That ‘.t ill Not Let Ale GoHis prayer was : iteveal to me that angel at the gate; ’ riw me a view oi deaui as a hallowed thing. It has long been to me the king -of terrors. My gravestone has held a spectre, and put an angel there.’ But r.nen we look up into tne face of Jesus vnr.st and commit our souls into m.keeping, tnen we are able to exclaim .u.ii tne great Apostle ‘Uh deaui, where is thy st.ngr Uh grave, where is thy victory.’ As had been said, not by an lamps of worldly wisdom, clustered in one place, can we guide our steps so securely as by fixing our eyes on the inevitable cloud througn which all must pass, which at every step becomes darker and more threatening to the children of this world, but to the children of faith and’ obedience still thins away as they, approach, to melt at length and dissolve into that glorious light which knows no setting. The whole Dominion mourns to-day the loss or a great- statesman who loved the land or lis adoption, who laboured assiduously and devotedly for her good, who for over thirty years gave to this Dominion faithful public service, and for thirteen years used those splendid gifts of leadership with which God endowed him for the advancement of this Dominion and the honour and prestige of the Empire. His hai been a noble service; no man has done greater. He was steadfast and courageous; he bail .-rengui or character and nobleness of spirit ; he bore through all his political me and political strite an unsullied record. He was thoroughly honest and. loyal to his convictions; he was faithful to his friends and generous to his foes. A courageous fighter, he had unswerving determination, and yet withal was generous and tolerant. The Dominion owes him a debt of gratitude which it is impossible to repay. He came, to the end of a long- and honourable career with an unsullied character, and with an honour and a glory of which any man miglit be justly proud.”

.“He was also a true patriot,” continued the speaker. Lei loved li.s King and his country with a burning love. When the war came how loyal ne was, how zealously he threw himself into the struggle and helped New Zealand' to play a very pronounced and a very hono ired part in flic great

struggle. Then how ably and masterly he grappled witli the perplexing problems that arose after the war, and through it all there was not the slightest indication of self-seeking. As someone has said, no public man ever had a cleaner record or was less open to the charge of having used his position for his own glorification or aggrandisement. He will be held in grateful memory as one who in years of unexampled' stress and difficulty served his country and the Empire with ability, loyaltv and single-hearted devotion. “Now is the stately column broke, The beacon light is quenched in smoke; The trumpet’s silver voice is still, The warder silent on the hill. “To-day our hearts go out in deep sympathy to her who has been bereaved of a loved and loving husband; to those who have been bereaved of a kind and noble father; and to those who have lost a leader and a friend. We commend them to our gracious Heavenly Father, who is their refuge and' their strength, a very present heln in trouble, and who in all their afflictions is afflicted. May he look down upon them in their sorrow and affliction, and comfort them. The remembrances of devotion to duty, and of a great service for his country nobly done, will ever be fresh in their memory, and fill their hearts with gladness. ‘How beautiful it is for a man to die upon the walls of Zion, to be called like a watchworn, weary sentinel to put his armour off and rest in Heaven.’ ”

THE FUNERAL PROCESSION. Long before mid-day, on the sidewalks of Lambton Quay, Molesworth Street and Bowen Streets, people congregated, their numbers steadily growing till it was almost 1 o’clock when movement ceased, and the great concourse stood in silence. All traffic had been diverted from the streets in the vicinity of Parliament Buildings, and funeral cars according to their classes and groups were drawn up early. Arrangements for traffic control were carried through smoothly and without incident. With one accord, when the Artillery Land, stationed in Parliament Grounds, played tne first bars of the Dead March in "Saul,” the great gathering at the entrance gates and lar along the Quay, uncovered, and thus stood motionless and siient as the hearse, fallowed by eight draped lorries bearing wonderful floral tributes, and the official cars wound slowly down the winding carriageway to the Quay. There the semiofficial cars joined in from Bowen btreet, and alter them again an apparently endless stream of cars from Molesworth Street, from Lowe' Lambton Quay and Bunny Street.

The order of the cortege was as follows:— Hearse and coffin. Cars containing wreaths. Family car. The King's ear. containing the King’s representative, and a representative from Government House. Ministers’ cars. Ex-Prime Ministers. Leaders of the Opposition. Leaders of the Labour Party. Naval Commodore and Military Commandant. Judges, and ex-Judges of the Supreme Court. Speaker and members of the Legislative Council. Speaker and members of the House of Representatives. Ex-members of Parliament. Freemasons. Foreign Counsels. Mayor of Wellington.

Naval and Military officers. Representatives of the Franklin electorate. Magistrates. Heads of Departments of the Public Service. Private secretar.es of Ministers. Representatives of Maori chiefs. Justices of the Peace Association. Mayors, chairmen, and representatives of counties, municipalities, hospitals. and harbour boards And local authorities. Representatives of the clergy of various, denominations. Salvation. Army. ftspresentatives of the Reform Party Executive. Veterans. Returned soldiers. Trades and industrial unions. Navy League. Representatives of the Press. Graduates and professors of universities. Boarus or Education. Educational Institute. Law Society. Medical profession. Chambers of Commerce. Representatives of the banks. Friendly Societies. Sailors’ Friendly Society. Rotary and kindred clubs. Y.M.C.A. Representatives of Racing and Trotting Conferences, and sports representatives. As the cortege filed slowly past, almost noiselessly, car after car, those on the roadside stool uncovered. motionless and silent. The won der of it was that so many could stand so very quietly. Only the mournful music of a funeral dirge played by the Petone Band at the intersection of Featherston Streei and Lambton Quay, and the slow tol' of the town clock, broke in upon the reverent silence. As the cortegi moved on, with upon either side pac- i ing veterans of the South African Campaign and men returned from the Great War, through more thousands standing in Upper Lambton Quay and Willis Street, all along Manners Street, to Courtney Place, the route was lined by dense crowds of reverent spectators. When the cortege reached the head of Courtenay Place, veterans and returned soldiers escorting the hearse halted and stood to attention, while the funeral passed from Courtenay Place to Newtown. M.-ny thousands of people lined both sides of the streets, and the noble music of the Dead March at intervals along the route pierced the muffled atmosphere and gave a most impressive and inspirational touch to the last stage of the Prime Minister’s last journey. After leaving the Newtown district the cortege gathered speed some-

what,. and continued at a faster pace in order to reach Point Halswell in good time. Along the whole route to the,head of the Shelly Bay Road, and to Miramar Wharf, there were large assemblages of people to pay their final tributes. THE FINAL STAGES. From Constable Street downward the sloping road skirting the hillsides overlooking Evans Bay, permitted. the cortege to make faster progress. Every vantage point was occupied by groups of silent people. On reaching the level stretch along the head of the Bay the footpaths again were lined by continuous crowds of mourners. Even on the final portion of the journey from Miramar Wharf to Shelly Bay, a sinuous ribbon of rough road between the rippling waters of Evans Bay and the frowning hills of Miramar Peninsula, there were disclosed at every turn little groups of people waiting to pay silent tribute to a great man.

Beyond Shelly Bay the head of the procession halted, and the hearse with the official party was detached to climb a road specially made to the top of the hill, where the casket was transferred to a gun carriage, which was drawn by non-commis-sioned officers of the Permanent Force along a newly-made road a quarter ot a mile to Point Halswell.

Meantime the rest ot the procession moved on, and members of the legislature with official departmental heads, Army and Navy representatives and other prominent people made their way by a short cut up the hillside to the site ot the burial. These were grouped around the temporary vault on the flat space formerly occupied by big guns, and a little way eff the higher knolls were quickly occupied by numbers of the public. . As the gun-carriage approached, it was headed by the First Battalion Band playing a funeral march. Every other sound ceased except the sighing of a light northerly wind and the lap-iap of the waves on the beach below. The sun remained invisible, but the rain held off though the higher hilltops were veiled in mist. Ferry steamers crowded with silent onlookers cruised close inshore, whi’e numbers of motor-launches and yachts kept them company watching the solemn proceedings on the height above. AT THE GRAVESIDE. When the cortege reached the enclosure of the burial site at 3 p.m., a corporal of marines, with the chief and petty officers of H.M.S. Dunedin, bore the casket to the grave, the late Prime Minister’s brother and sons

acting as pall-bearers. The band played “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” and the Rev. J. Gibson Smith read a portion ot Psalm 103, verses 15-18. also Revelations, chapter 14, verse 13; Thessalonians 1., fourth chapter verses 13 and 14; Corinthians 1., fifteenth chapter, verses 20 to 22; and Revelations twenty-first chapter, verses 1 to 4. The body was lowered into the grave, and the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (Rev. George Miller) recited the committal portion of the service. He then engaged in n short prayer, and pronounced the Benediction. A trumpeter of the Permanent Force (Sergeant Baker) sounded the “Last Post,” the notes sounding sweetly subdued as befitting the occasion. About this time the sun found a rift in the clouds to the westward, and shot a lew scattered beams on the harbour waters, but the murk of the sky closed in again, and sombre clouds brooded over the scene. The Masonic service was then read by the Deputy-Grandmaster of the New Zealand Constitution (Bro. Oliver Nicholson), assisted by Bros. W. G. GirJlng. Rev. W. Shirer, H. L. Michel afid J. A. Nash. At 3.Sf> the proceedings ended with the Benediction, pronounced this time by the Rev. Bro. Shirer. While the last few words were being recited rain began to fall, and continued for Some minutes heavily, while the dead Premier’s late colleagues and many friends took a last sad look at the casket wherein reposed all that remained of him whom in lite they had loved so well. Then they slowly made their way oown to the roadway, and so back to the city and the thousand and one cares of public and private lite. As they did so the clouds lifted, and the sun shone fitfully forth and poured its slanting golden rays upon the spot where in lonely grandeur the dead leader sleeps, bringing to mind the closing of the favourite hymn “Abide With Me,” viz., “Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee, In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.”

THE RESTING PLACE. Point Halswell is backed by a long ridge running at a high elevation a mile inland. The hill drops to a plateau 120 feet above sea level, where the old fort was cjnstructed. The old gun pit, which once housed a disappearing gun, is tne grave. The casket was deposited there, and taken by a tunnel into the hillside, where, in the centre of a series of magazines built strongly of concrete it will He in a ready prepared vault. ——l. I ■ MEMORIAL SERVICES IN THE VARIOUS CENTRES. AUCKLAND, May 14. A memorial service as a combined tribute to the late Prime Minister was I eld in the Town Hall this afternoon, concurrently with the funeral of the dead' statesman*in Wellington. The gathering was representative of all classes of the community and all shades of political thought. Most of those

present were in mourning, and there were numerous manifestations of universal sorrow. The solemnity of the occasion evidently felt by the huge congregation, there being a tense atmosphere reminiscent of that experienced on such memorable occasions as Anzac Day ceremonies. Ministers of all denominations took part in the service. There was also an outdoor service in Albert Park, and. services were held in most churches. A twp-minutes silence at one o’clock was solemnly observed. CHRISTCHURCH, May 14. Christchurch observed a day of mourning, and joined in a solemn tribute to the dead Prime Minister. Nearly all the shops in the city were closed for the day. Very few kept open in the morning. At noon the. factories ceased operations, and all places of amusement were closed. Only such activities as it was impossible to interfere with went on, but even these ceased during the ten minutes’ silence from 1 p.m., which was universally observed.

The atmospheric conditions were in keeping with the feeling of sadness that prevailed in the city. A thick mist hung like a pall during the greater part of the morning, and the afternoon was very dull, with sombre grey skies. A crowded congregation attended a solemn and beautiful memorial service in the Anglican Cathedral at 11 a.m., when an address was given by Dean Carrington. Simultaneously with the burial service at Point Halswell this afternoon, the citizens of Christchurch joined' in paying their last respects at a great united memorial service in King Edward Barracks. The address was delivered by the Rev. J. J. North, who delivered'a very high eulogium of the dead statesman. Memorial services were held in several churches during the day, and also at colleges and secondary schools. DUNEDIN, May 14. Memorial services to Mr Massey held in tlie leading cliurclies to-day, were largely attended and eloquent tributes were paid to the dead statesman. Flags were flown at half-mast throughout the city, and business was at a standstill during the afternoon. At 1 p.m. tram and railway traffic ceased for 10 minutes, but it was found impossible to make this observance generally effective. The day was dull end overcast, with showers in the : aiternoon.

TAUMARUNUI, May 14. A memorial service for Mr Massey was heid in the Theatre Royal this aiternoon, ana was very impressive. 'Hie Mayor (Mr G. E. Alanson) gave a snort-address, and a religious service was conducted by three clergymen. GISBORNE, May 14. To-day was ouserveu us. a day of mourning. Shops and businesses were closed an day, ana the ten minutes silence was generally observed. A citizens' meiuuiial serv.ee was held in tne uucamcai wardens, ...id vu iwigeiy atiended. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 14. Business was at a standstill to-day ou. oi respect to the memory or Mr Massey, a close holiday being observed, ii/iu ten minutes’ silence at uno o’clock. -tijiuoriui services in the Anglican, Plesuyieri.ui, and Aleclioa.st- uuurenes v.oiu mrgeiy attended. WANGANUI, May 14. A very largely attended funeral ser--1 vice in memory of Mr Massey was held i i.i Cooks wardens. Ine day was uu- | served as a close holiday. WESTPORT, May 14. A .memorial serv.ee, arranged by the Ministers’ Association, was held this aiternoon, with a good attendance. The Rev. Air Miller, .n the course of a eulogism, said IV illiam Ferguson 1 Massey served New Zealand wisely and well. He laitlitjlly scived God and i bis country. ' A memorial service was also hold in St. John’s Anglican Church, where the Rev. Mr Jermyn paid a warm tr.bute to Mr Massey’s lite and work.

NAPIER, May 14. A largely attended united service in meirory of the Prime Minister was held lin the Cathedral this afternoon. An address was delivered by the Rev. J. A. Asher (Presbyterian). The service was a solemn and memorable one. PALMERSTON NORTH, May 14. Desp.to unfavourable weather conditions, 1500 perso is attended the memorial service in the Opera House, and similar functions were held throughout the country districts, the day was observed as a close holiday. NELSON, May 14. .Memorial services were held in the Cathedral and the Presbyterian Cnurcii '(combined) at one o'clock, and were very largely attended. OAMARU, May 14. The Opera House was crowded this afternoon, when a memorial service was held to the late Prime Minister, all thades of political opinion being represented. Stirring addresses were given by the Mayor (Mr McDiarmid), Air F. Milner. C.M.G., and the Rev. W. McLean, M.C. INVERCARGILL, May 14. Memorial services were held in Invercargill, Gore, and all smaller towns in Southland. In every instance tne predominant note was one of sorrow and mourning at the passing of a dis-linguishc-l statesman