REFERENCES IN PARLIAMENT

Press, Issue 14828, 20 November 1913, Page 10

REFERENCES IN PARLIAMENT

VERY FINE TRIBUTES IX THE HOUSE. (IPECIAI. TO "THE TRESS.") WELLINGTON, November 19. The news of the death of Mr George Laurenson, M.P. for Lytteiton, was received with very deep regret in political circles. When it was announced early this morning that he had succumbed to heart trouble, the House, which was in Committee on tho Legislature Act Amendment Bill, immediately adjourned, and again when tho House met this afternoon an adjournment was taken till 2.30 to-morrow afternoon, as an expression of sorrow and regret. After transaction of formal business, tho Prime Minister (the Hon. W. F. Massey) moved:—"That this House places on record its high sense of the faithful services rendered to the Dominion by the'late Mr Georgo Laurenson as member and as a Minister of the Grown, and respectfully tenders to his widow and family au assurance of its sincere sympathy in their bereavement." ■A PERGONAL TESTIMONY. Aftor sketching tho late Mr Laurensou's public career, the Prime Minister went ou to say that it was very difficult to realise that the member for Lyttelton, who was in Ins place only a few days ago, had passed away. He had no hesitation in saying that the House and the country were much poorer in consequence. When the Angel of Death entered Parliament—and his visits during the last few years had been only too frequent—it brought home to everyone how very small and utterly insignificant party strife and interests were, as compared with the larger issues which each one had to deal with later on. 'Mr Laurenson had been a man of strong convictions, of keen sympathies, broad-minded and liberal to a degree. Though many members of the House

did not agree with the whole of his political oninions, each one was willing to honourand respect him on account of his sincerity, his strength of purpose, his integrity, and his intense desire to do right under, all circumstances. He was a lover ot books, and was possessed of much more than average Parliamentary ability. As a debater he sometimes hit hard, but he never descended to personalities, and he never ailowed the debate to interfere with his friendships in the lobbies. Mr Laurenson was a" really good type of North Briton —a generous friend, a loving husband, and affectionate hither. Every member of the House joined with him in hoping that the sympathy of the country would soften the blow to his widow" and family. In the fifty-six years of his li to Mr Laurenson had done his very best in the paths of duty. He was not a man who would be forgotten by the men who had worked with him" in Parliament. SIR JOSEPH WARD SPEAKS. The Lender of the Opposition (Sir Joseph Ward) said he rose with feelings of sorrow to second the motion. He wanted to add his lew words of testimony to Mr Laurenson'*. worth, lie was one 01 the most sincere men in public life he ever met. He (the .speaker) had known Mr Laurenson for fifteen years, and when he first met him he recognised how '"likeable."' a man he was. He was a strong speaker and a keen debater, but he never made personal enemies. Although his convictions wro strong, ho never allowed them to sway or warp his judgment. Tho Parliamentary duties of this country were probably more trying than those in other countries, but the presence of death levelled down all acerbities which might arise. It was a singular circumstance that Mr Joyce, tho predecessor of Mr Laurenson, had also been taken away suddenly. They would all remember Mr Laurenson. added Sir Joseph Ward, as a great reader and a man of more than average ability. He was a man who would ever be missed. A BAND OF FOUR. Tho Hon. R. H. Rhodes said that he and Mr Laurenson had been connected since they first met when entering the House in 1899. In private lifo he found Mr Laurenson a man of broader views than appeared in the House. Throughout their time in Parliament the kindliest feelings had existed between them. A bond of interest was that the member for Chris .church South, the ex-member for Rakaia, Mr Laurenson, and himself had all been elected on the samo day. and for twelve years they had sat together., The House had lost an able debater, his constituents a ' popular representative, the country a worthy member, and he himself had lost a personal friend. OTHER SPEAKERS. Mr G. W. Forbes said that he had known Air Laurenson personally since his arrival in New* Zuaiand from. Scotland. Ono of Mr Laurenson's strongest characteristics was his kindly nature. His sympathies wero broad, and ho took his politics seriously, but after tho debate ho was always full of goodwill and friendship. Ho was a vigorous fighter, but no 'tecling remained after it. Ou behalf of his widow, whom ho had seen that morning, he gratefully acknowledged the messages of kindliness and goodwill which had beeu sent by various members and others.

_\lr G. W. Russell said that Mr Laurenson was one of the very finest men he had ever met in -his life. He was of warm and generous sympathies —emotional, it was true —and was always guided by his ide-ils and beliefs. His outstanding characteristic was his conscientiousness. As a member of local bodies in Christchurch, as a member of Parliament and as a Minister* he was not excelled by anyone in the seriousness with which ho regarded his duty. No service for constituents or others was too* small to receive his constant aid. Of him it could be said. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Tho Hon. D. Buddo added his expressions of appreciation. Mr Laurenson's memory, ho said, would long remain green in the hearts of his friends. Mr H. G. Ell said that ho knew no man whom he had esteemed more highly. His intense love of humanity dominated his nature aud he was never happier than when speaking in aid of the Jowly. It was a beautiful sight to sco Air Laurenson with children, and tho children of Lytteiton would long cherish his memory. •Mr G. Witty said that Mr Laurenson had been a man of ability and tact, who would bo missed by all Mr T. H. Davey mentioned the special and deep interest which Mr Laurenson took in the cause of Labour. He therefore regretted exceedingly that some Labour men in Lytteiton had alleged that Mr Laurenson had broken his trust. He denied that absolutely. Mr Laurenson had never broken his trust, but had always, been faithful to the true interests of Labour.

Mr L. M. Isitt, speaking as a personal friend for many years, said that he had been deeply impressed by tho personal worth of Mr Laurenson. So far as politics were concerned it was impossible for Mr Laurenson to bear a grudge if he desired to. It was not excessive eulogy to say that Mr Laurenson had been an ornament of the House. Mr Isitt closed with a very fine tribute to Mr Laurenson's deeply religious nature. Messrs Payne and Hanan and T Dr. Rangihiroa (on behalf of the Native race) also spoke. The motion was agreed to. and on tho motion of tho Prime Minister the Houso then adjourned till 2.30 p.m. tomorrow, as a mark of esteem and respect.