A LOSS TO OUR PUBLIC LIFE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 113, 5 February 1918, Page 4

A LOSS TO OUR PUBLIC LIFE

*— — . Tiie public life of tho Dominion suffers a heavy loss through the. retirement from politics of the Hon. A. L. Herdman, announced to-day. Mr. Herdman yesterday handed in his resignation of the portfolio of Attorney-General, which lie has held under the Masscy Government and the present National Government for some years, and he also notified the Speaker of the House of Representatives of his resignation of his scat as member for Wellington North. Though these steps had been anticipated, and will therefore occasion little surprise, they will nevertheless on many grounds sgivo rise to sincere regret. Mr. Herdman is a man who can be ill spared from the public life of New Zealand. During the years in which he has served the Dominion in Parliament he has shown himself to be possessed of qualities which have won him the respect and confidence of a very large and evcrincreasing body of _ liis fellowcitizens. His sincerity, his integrity, his strength of purpose, the steadfastness and the courage with which he has pursued tho conrso ol" duty in. face of difficulties and in time of grave strife and turmoil; the thoroughness with which he has carried through the task entrusted to him as a member of the Government, have won recognition and respect from friend and foe alike. His work as a Minister of tho Crown, whether as Attorney General, Minister of Justice, or as head of the Discharged Soldiers'" Information Department, stands a3 a record of his high sense of duty and of his administrative capacity. Since tho war ho has, of course, carried a heavy burden of responsibility as the head of the Crown Law Department, to which tho Government looks for advice and guidance on tho multitudinous matters covcred by' War Regulations for the protection of the community and the safety «and future welfare of the nation. On hip shoulders, too, as head of the Police Department, has fallen the chief share of the task of seeing that those Regulations were duly observed. Mr. Herdman, during his term of office as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, has found himself confronted with situations of unprecedented gravity; he lias been called on to face tasks requiring the rxcrcise of wise judgment, high courage, and a 6tern sense of duty. The very widespread regret expressed over bis retirement is perhaps the best testimony that could be afforded to the marked success with which he has carried through these heavy and responsible duties, and to the value, of his services to the Dominion. As a member of the Reform Party in its days of adversity ho fought a stalwart fight; he ably represented the party as ono of its leaders in its days of office; with the advent of the National Government no member of the Ministry _ more completely set aside party aims to tho end of promoting a loyal and unqualified adherenco to the compact entered into between Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph AYard. Mr. Herdman can look back on' his political record with a degree of satisfaction that is given to few to enjoy. It, no doubt, has meant many sacrificcs to him, financial and otherwise, but tho sacrifices have been made in tho service of his country. It is understood that ho has been offered a position 011 the Supremo Court Bench, and that lie has decided to accept it. He has had a long lccral experience, and his years of office as Attorney-Genera) should prove of especial value to him in his new position. No Attorney-General in recent times has undertaken anything like the amount of law court work on behalf of the Crown that Mr. Herdman has done. Ho will take to the Supreme Court Bench ilusc hint qualities of fearlessness, independence, honour, and integrity which have characterised him

throughout his professional and public life. Wo congratulate him on this new honour while regretting the loss which it means to tho political life of the Dominion.