A Tribute.

White Ribbon, Volume 17, Issue 194, 17 August 1911, Page 2

A Tribute.

A leader has gone from amongst us. < >ne of those dominant spirits who have at different times in the world’s history, swayed public opinion, inspired their fellows, and led thousands to a higher conception of life’s duties and responsi-

hilitie.s. With a magnetic personality, a strong vibrant voice, it is little wonder that he swayed thousands by his inspiring utterances, as no man in this country has ever done. Hut what lie was to us, the women of this land, words fail to express. To myself lie was ever a true comrade and friend, and I recognise that one of the greatest privileges life has brought to me, has been the friendship of this bright and joyous spirit: and so to his memory 1 am glad to bring a tribute of admiration and affection. To our Union he was ever a strong and sincere friend, and lie often expressed his appreciation of our work, our aims and inlluence. lie was ever ready to give his assistance to our organisation in politics and reform measures, and only a few weeks ago, when in the midst of discharging heavy civic duties, he gladly attended as one of a deputation to the M inister of Education, to give his support to a measure directly affecting the homes, the girls, and the women of this Dominion In our agitation against the sale of drink at military encampments, we had his strong support and assistance, and by voice and vote and influence .le upheld our demand for the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act. Hut to enumerate all the humanitarian enactments to which he gave his support and sympathy, would take up too much space here. Suffice it to say that all proposals for moral reform, for bettering the conditions under which men and women lived and worked, for the removal of the civil and political disabilities by which women are handicapped, for the relief of the poor, the fallen, the down-trodden, had his sympathy and assistance in Parliament and out of it.

T. K. Taylor had never to he persuaded that women should he allowed to take their place in the civic and political life of this country, for he always held < o(l meant woman to he a helpmeet to man, tirst at the hearthstone, and afterwards in all relationships of life—at the ballot box, at the council table, on our boards, and in the councils of the nation, among our legislators. His greatest work for women was after all that which he did in the direction of annihilating the drink traffic, the traffic which brings such sorrow, such anguish to women, such unutterable woe. It is not to he wondered at, that the women of Christchurch cast their vote time after time to send him to represent them in Parliament. They knew their interests were safe in his hands, and that what man might do, he would do for the sake of the little children and those they loved so well.

It has been said that the votes of the women put Mr Taylor in I’ailiament. It is only partly true, for men voted in as large numbers as women for his return. But that he was a women s hero is true, for he upheld the best traditions of <»ur rare by his purity of thought and life, his unstained record as son, husband, and father. “ Ilis strength was as the strength of ten, because his heart was puie,” and he was tho champion of all weak things.

He believed in us, and our influence, and so we believed in ourselves, and took coinage to go forward in untrodden paths. He was ready to take advice from any woman, if he thought the advice good, and did not reject it simply because it had coiue from a woman. Ilis heroism appealed strongly to women as also did his utter fearlessness. He feared no human being and no human power. Public opinion he never considered, expediency had no meaning for him, and social ostracism no terrors, for ho saw clearly the path set before him, and he followed to the end the light which shone upon him in his youth, when he lirst decided to consecrate himself to the service of God and humanity, lie blazed the way for many reforms, and his friends gladly followed. If lie seemed at times relentless in his tight agaiust newspaper men and politicians, it was because he saw that they stood in the way of reforms, or stood for that which was undesirable in politics and in tho life of the community. <>f his greatest political opponent he said : “ I could have loved that man, if I had not been obliged to tight him.”

Those who knew our fallen leader best, loved him most, and those who saw him in his home, saw at their best his most genial qualities of wit, humour, tenderness and kindliness. There in his home his deep religious nature had full play, and thoso who have been privileged to hear his deep vibrant voice reading stately passages from Isaiah or some of the Psalms he loved so well, will never forget the effect then produced, nor the insight then gained into the man's deep love for the word of God.

We have lost in our departed comrade a high-minded patriot, tho cause of humanity a great hearted champion, and our Union feels his loss as a personal bereavement. To his wife who is worthy to be the mate of such a man, we owe a debt of deep gratitude for her unstdtish sacrifice, for the patient endurance of long, lonely days, when husband and father was absent fighting the battles for righteousness and truth. To her wo offer our overflowing sympathy and love, and to the dour children

so sorely bereaved of a loving, devoted father, praying that the God of all comfort may be near to console and comfort. F. Cole.