Mr. M. Ratana, M.P., Dies Suddenly

Chronicle (Levin), 8 October 1949, Page 7

Mr. M. Ratana, M.P., Dies Suddenly

i — — Press Association)

(Per

" WELLINGTON, Oct. 7. Late this afternoon Mr Eraser mterrupted the debate in the House to .announce that he had just learned of the death in Wanganui at 1.30 p.m. today of Mr Matiu Ratana, member t'oi Western Maori. He said death oceurred after a bone-graftmg operation.; The operation had proceeded quite sa.tisfactorily, but ;a Sudden coliapse ensued and Mr Ratana passed away. Mr Fraser said the House wOuld pay its tribute to Mr Ratana next week on a day to be chosen after he had eonsulted with the OppositionC The House adjourned at 5.30 untu 2.30 on Tuesday. Mr Ratana was a. son of the Ma'U'i prophet, Wiremu Ratana. He ,was elected to Parliament in.M945.at a ,by-elec-tion caused by the. death of his brother, Mr H. T. Ratana. ' ' Mr Ratana was a diligent and fail h ful member of Parliament and the Labour Party and an excellent representative of his people with their interest,s deep at heart," said the Prirne Minister (Mr Fraser) tonigKt. ''Even in his time of pain and sulfering Mr Ratana thought constantly of his people and was anxious that everything should be done to see that their interests did not suffer through his enforeed ab sence from his parliamentary and electorate duties, ' ' continued Mr Fraser. - Mr Fraser said the Parliamentary Labour Party and himself had sustained a grave loss. Mr Ratana had been a loyai party member and a personal friend. He was also a trusted leader of his people. The sympathy of the Government and the Parliamentary Labour Party was extended to his widow and family and the people with whom Mr Ratan« had been closely associated during the greater part of his life.