COLLEAGUE'S TRIBUTE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 181, 17 November 1941, Page 5

COLLEAGUE'S TRIBUTE

HON. D. G. SULLIVAN'S ADDRESS

LIFE OF SERVICE AND LOYALTY

"I have come here to-day to represent the Government and the people of the Dominion as a whole," said' the Hon. D. G. Sullivan speaking at the memorial! service yesterday. "We desire to associate ourselves with the people of the Bay of Plenty in paying 1 tribute to the memory to the late Lieut Hultquist M.P., who after having served with great -courage and distinction on th»

hectic battle fields of Greece and Crete has finally made the supreme sacrifice on the sands of Egypt." The speaker recalled his first introduction to the late M.P., when as a forceful, eager young man h<j had interviewed him in the Mayor's room at Christchurcli. He (the speaker) had been at once arrested by the enthusiasm and the great depth of his interest in politics and economics, in particular as they applied to the working classes. Later when he became a member of the House, he had noted with pleasure the wonderful bond which existed between Lieut Hultquist and the people of his constituency. He could therefore speak with a good deal of feeling at the memorial servicc which he had the honour to attend. Man of Strong Principles Speaking of the late Lieut Hultquist's work and political activities, lie said that he believed that the charter of his life was to be found in the Book of Books. From this source he> had drawn his great loyalty and strong principles. When He was elected no one could have served his electorate with greatei thoroughness and application than he. In 1933 lie had won the 1 Athenian Medal for oratory and in Parliament tha.t same gift had stamped him as a fearless and powerful speaker. As i\ comrade in the Party he was intensely staunch and loyal. His friendship Avas permanent and his services freely given. General Freyberg's Tribute "I know that he carried these chlair act eristics with him into the sphere of military life," continued the Minister. "His worth as a soldier comes l from a man who knows men. I refer to Major General Freyberg who has personally praised hits work. As a result he was promoted on the field' and this from the soldser'!s point of view means something far greater than ordinary promotion" His letters from the front Avere long and interesting, his graphic descriptive poAvers marking him foi the keen observer he Avas. His observations indicated also his philosophy of life. Together Avith the people of his home toAvn the alsothanked God for his life £nd his example, remembering him p.s a loyal comrade and a faithful servant of the State. Keeping Faith The Hon. D. G. Sullivan concluded by observing that when a man laid doAvn his life in the greatest cause known—that of freedom it devolved upon his felloAVS that they keep faith to the utmost with those high principles which- led to his making the sacrifice. "He died," he said, "in order that the should be enabled to throAV off the shackles and that Ave should be able to preserve our way of living. X>ur duty in return is to maintain and safeguard to the 1 utmost the freedom and the independence Ave noAV enjoy. In thta way only are Ave keeping faith."