A WORTHY CITIZEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2593, 15 October 1915, Page 4

A WORTHY CITIZEN

Probably the late John Duthie ■ would Task no better epitaph than that which heads this article. Ho belonged to a school which is not so numerous now as we could wish it to be. A stern man,''in some respects a-hard possessed of _a •high sense of duty, a fine public spirit, an inflexible regard for the principles of honesty and straightdealing, and a detestation of shams and make-believe, Ma. "Duthie also added the driving force of a powerful personality. In 'various public capacities ho rendered marked service to the community,, but despite his ability as a financier and man of business; despite his unyielding tenacity as a fighter for any _ causo or principle which he considered right and just; despite his years of useful work in the legislature of the country, it is probable _ that the greatest service men of bis character can render a community is the standard they set by their probity and plain dealing. Mil. .iDuraiE.can hardly be described as a successful politician. He was not a good platform speaker, and he sjioke his mind far too freely an'd-bluntly to hope to tickle the ear of the multitude, but his earnestness, his courage, his obvious sincerity and honesty, his shrewd judgment, his thoroughness, as well as his marked capacity as a financial oritic, won him a prominent place in the counsels of his party and earned for him the respect and esteem of his opponents. In the days of the Seddon regime he was one of the stalwarts who never yielded ground to the masterful personality of the then head of the Government, and he never could be convinced that the "spoon-feed-ing" policy 'of Mr. Seddon was not greatly prejudicial to the proper development of that spirit of selfreliance which meanß so much in the character of a young nation. After retiring from active politics, Mr. Duthie with others conceived the idea of founding a newspaper of a, olass likely to render soihe public service by voicing sound opinions and combating such weakness as might exist then or hereafter in our public life. The Dominion was the outcome of this idea. Me. Duthie was associated with tho directorate of the paper from its inception, and his sound business experience has been a valued factor in its commercial success. Under a stern exterior lie concealed many estimable qualities, which found ex- j pression in acts. of generosity aboul which the public were allowed to know nothing at all. Although he has not been so active in business or public life of rccent years as heretofore, the passing ,of a man of Mr. Duthie's personality and qualities will leave a very real gap. It must be gratifying, however, to his family as to his friends to realise that lie has left a name which will always he associated with good citizenship and faithful public service.