THE LATE PRIME MINISTER.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18403, 9 June 1925, Page 8

THE LATE PRIME MINISTER.

PROPOSED NATIONAL MEMORIAL. MONUMENT AND STATUE. The proposal to erect a national memorial over'Mr Massoy's tomb at "Point Halswell, in Wellington Harbour, and to place a statue of the late Prime Minister, or other memorial, in the grounds of the Parliamentary limldings tit "Wellington came before the City Council at its meeting last night. A letter was read from the then acting Prime Minister (Sir Francis Bell) stating that the citizens of Auckland, on the suggestion of the Mayor, had taken the initial steps in what the IjOvenunent hoped would become a national movement, having for its object the raising of a fund for the erection of a suitable memorial to the late Prime Minister which would commemorate for all time his valuable and distinguished . services to the' Dominion. He now invited the co-operation of the Mayor and'citizens of Christchurch in the appeal. It was suggested that subscriptions should be invited: — _ (a) For the purpose of erecting a monument on Mr Massey's tomb at Point Halswell in Wellington Harbour, and

(b) To commemorate by statue or other memorial in the Parliamentary grounds his name and public services. Also for the further purpose,'if the sums subscribed are sufficient, of planting and beautifying the area of land which was set apart as Mr Massey's burial ground at Point Halswell. If the proposals were accepted as the objects of public subscription, then ho thought it was further desirable that the funds should be expended by direction of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister for the time being, the two Speakers, the Chief Justice for the time being, and one person to he nominated by Mrs Massey or her family. J n the event of any of the officials named being unable to act, then the other members of the committee should full authority. The Chief justice and the Speakers of both branches of the Legislature had signified thei- pleasure and willingness to act. If that plan of procedure was approved by the Mayor and those associated with him in the-initiation of the movement in Christclnirch, lie would suggest that the Mayor make n public notification of the proposals. Each organisation throughout the country would j have its own financial arrangements, but it would be better to have a single treasurer to whom, the money could be remitted from time to time by the local committees, and that the treasurer should be appointed by the central committee suggested above. The Mayor said the idea was that' the Council should organise voluntary, subscriptions. Cr. C. P. Agar moved that the Council open a fund, and that the City Treasurer should be appointed treasurer of the fund. This was seconded by Cr. A. McKellar and carried. A letter from Mrs C. A. Massey was received by the City Council last night conveying, on behalf of herself and family, to tlie members of the Christchurch City Council and citizens of Christchurch an expression of their most sincere thanks for the kind'messages of sympathy and condolence in their great sorrow as contained in the Council's resolution. Mrs Massey added that the kind and references to her husband's work and service were a source of much consolation to the members of the family.