LAST TRIBUTE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21193, 16 August 1940, Page 6

LAST TRIBUTE

FUNERAL OF MINISTERS CRASH IN AUSTRALIA (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) MELBOURNE, August 15 With sad dignity and reverence the nation paid its last tribute today to the men who died in the Canberra air disaster on Tuesday. In fitful showers and spring sunshine, the bodies of eight of the 10 victims, including those of the three Federal Ministers—Sir Henry Gullett, Mr J. V. Fairbairn and Mr G. A. Street — and the chief of the general staff of the Australian Military Forces, Lieutenant-General Sir Brudenell White, were borne from the funeral train for a special memorial service at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

People—still appalled by the extent of the tragedy—crowded in thousands along the approaches to the Cathedral and the Princes Bridge station, awed and silent. After the service the caskets were borne by train and road to their several destinations for burial or cremation in accordance with the wishes of the relatives. As a result of the crash, Federal members of Parliament have reached an understanding that in future they will restrict air travel to the smallest possible parties. Although members of the Cabinet will use air transport when work demands it, they will not travel more than one or two at a time unless it is unavoidable. It is announced from London that a memorial service to the Australian Ministers, members of the General Staff and the crew of the aeroplane who lost their lives in the aeroplane disaster in Australia, will’be held in Westminster Abbey next Thursday.

MEMORIAL SERVICE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. CopyrlgDt) LONDON, August 14 A memorial service to the Australian Ministers, members of the General Staff and the crew of the aeroplane who lost their lives in the aeroplane disaster in Australia will be held at Westminster Abbey next Thursday. MESSAGE FROM CLIPPER SYMPATHY OF NEWSPAPERMEN “INEXPRESSIBLY SHOCKED” (United Press Assn. —bloc. Tel. Copyright) (Received. August 16, 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 Mr R. Casey, Australian Minister, continues to receive large numbers of letters of sympathy regarding the death of Ministers, including the following, signed by all members of the newspaper party going to Australia by the Pan-American Clipper: “All aboard the Clipper were inexpressibly shocked by the news of the tragedy in Australia and wish to convey their deepest sympathy to the Commonwealth, which all are looking forward to visiting under happier circumstances.” WORLD-WIDE SYMPATHY (United Press Assn. —bloc. Tel. Copyright) (Received August 16, 3.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 16 Flags were flown at half-mast in all Australian cities today. Messages of condolence and sympathy are arriving at Canberra from ail over the world.