PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 27, 26 October 1918, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

NATURALISED SUBJECTS PROTEST BY LABOUR MEMBERS TRIBUTES TO DECEASED MEMBERS I '. . The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m., the Hon; W. C. P. Cameras in the chair. Sir Franois Bell, Leader of the Council, moved: "That until a Speaker be elected, notwithstanding Standing Order No. 209, the Hon. 0. Samuel bo Acting-Chairman of Committees, and take tho chair in committee of tho whole Council as of course, and perform the duties and exercise the authority of tho Charimou of Committees." The motion was carried. On the.motion of Sir Francis Bell it was decided to appoint Friday, November 1, us tho dato on which tho olection of the Speaker shnll take place. Tho Hon. E. W. Alison gave notice that on Wednesday next he would move the Address-in-Reply to the Speech of His Excellency tbe Governor-General. Tho Council then proceeded to' tho business-of-', passing resolutions of condolence with tho relatives of former members ,of both Houses of the Legislature. . ■ SIR FRANCIS BELL mado feeling reference to the death of the late Sir Charles Johnston, Speaker of the Legislative Council. Sir Francis moved: "That this Council records its sense of tho distinguished services rendered to New Zealand-by-the. lato Hon. Sir Charles Johnston, Speaker of the Legislative Council, and formerly a member of the-' House of 'Representatives, and respectfully tenders to his widow and family tho assuranco of its sincere sympathy with them in their bereavement." : "I feel. Sir. nvil diffiniiltr in nttomnt.

"I feel, Sir, rail ■difficulty in attempting to. express tho sorrow which moves id! those present when called upon to join in tho resolution I have now read," said Sir Francis Bell. "For, Mr. Speaker, it is not .merely the loss of our Speaker who had in tho too-brief tenure of his office fully justified the choice of the Council-whidh elected him, and proved himself entirely fit for the great office that he had assumed, but we desire to express our sympathy with the family of tho deceased gentleman." Tlio late Sir Charles Johnston had been at onco their comrado and their friend for many years; (Hear, hear.) He had been 0110 of (the last surviving members who held life tenure before the Constitution was, changed in 1891. Their veteran senior member, Hon. Captain Baillie, was another. For two Parliaments tho late gentleman had been a member of tho 'louse of Representatives, and by many family nnd personal ties lie was associated with the political and public iife of the country. His father had sat for a great number of years also during the first days of tho Constitution of tho Counon.' Two of his brothcrs-in-laiv were members. He married a daughter of Dr. Featherstone, than'whom no public mart of the past had a more distinguished and honourable record. And so ho had had not only his own personal service in both Houses, but family traditions to maintain. Sir Charles Johnstons vote could always bo dopended upon to be given without prejudico and partiality. Reference was also made by Sir Francis Bell to tho work done by tho •deceased gentleman, and the esteem in "•Inch ho was held, when elected Mayor of Wellington in 1890. Broken in spirit by the loss of two gallant sons and a daughter's husband, who foil fighting for their country at tho front, ho had met his end with courage and endurance. I'or ins services to tho country ho had been honoured by his Sovereign somewhat markedly, for the honour of knighthood had been conferred upon him long before the usual time. His widow and children had the sympathy of his friend's, among whom tho members of the Legislative Council desired to bo counted. Uicy possessed as an inheritance 11 record of honourable private lifo and of .distinguished public career. The Hon 0. SAMUEL said tho lato bpeakcr had won from them all siilireni" confidence, and it was difficult for him to adequately sustain tho touching tribute paid to tho memory of the deceased bv Sir Irancis Bell. The late Sir Charles Johnston-could always be trusted, and Ho always regarded sincerity and honesty as tho essentials of his life. He had left amongst the thinking men who knew him a record in that respect. Ihcy had lost a Kindly and honest gentlemen, in whose steps they should bo proud to follow. :

The Hon. Mr, Samuel seconded the motion. '

The Hon. G. JONES also paid his tribute to tho deceased gentleman's-mem-ory. Ono was inclined to regret that Sir Charles Johnston had not lived loiter to enjoy the distinctions ho had won us an old colonist. With regard to the others who had gone, tho speaker also lv S c(1 T i° t )ut on roCol ' fl his great regret tho Hon J. G. W. AITKEN sr.id Sir uiaries Johnston had been held in the very highest esteem by the citizens of Wellington. Ho had filled tho office of Mayor ot Wellington .with great dignity,- and was honoured by all. I'he motion was carried. iho following motion, proposed by Sir •raiicis Bell, was also carried:—"That this Council accords its sense of the aithfiil services rendered to Now Zealand by tho late H. J. H. Okey, a member of the Houso of Representatives: «"> late Robert Fletcher, a member or tho Houso of Representatives; the ale Richard Meredith, formerly a nmiun ,°l n, e } lo,ISB of Eepresoniatiws i the lute Charles Mathew Gray, formerly a member of the Houso of Representatives; the, late Charles Champion Rawlins, formerly a member of tho House 0} Representatives; an d the late Thomas J anner, formerly a member of the Houso ot Representatives; and respectfully tenners to their respective families -ti» ,-s----siiranco of the Council's sincore sympathy 111 th them in their bereavement." Ihe Hon O. Samuel, referring f 0 il f, • M J' „ ok -, e /'' £ aid that *t -the me of his death Mr. Okey was universally respected and mourned. The speaker did not know anyono who was so trusted as an honourable and upright man. Notwithstanding tho losses ho had sustained 111 his family by reason ot tho war, ho had always spoken "on he subject m a temperate manner. Mr' Okey was indefatigable in the interests' ot the people, and had been much respected and loved. :

. The Hon. W. EARNSHAW said that m the death of Mr. Fletcher the co n'try had lost a sterling man. \At 310 p.m. the Council adjourned until Wednesday next as a mark of respect to the memory of the lato Speaker, sir Charles Johnston. '