THE LATE MR. H. J. H. OKEY.

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

THE LATE MR. H. J. H. OKEY.

The PRIME MINISTER moved that tho Houso should place on record its high seuso of tho faithful services rendered to New Zealand by the late Mr. 11. J. IT. Okey, ex-member for Tarnnaki, and should respectfully tender to his wife and family the assurance of its sincere sympathy with them in their bereavement. He said that every member of tho House had heard with extreme regret of the death of Mr. Okey. The lato ,1110111ber had been kindly, genial, and extremely popular in the Parliamentary arena and among tho peoplo he represented in Parliament. No better representative or truer man had over sat in the Houso of Representatives. Mr. Hat-, soy mentioned that' Mr. Okey had «nt three sons to tho front, and two of his sons had laid down their lives at (ho front.

The motion was supported ly Sir Joseph Ward' (Minister of Finance), Sir James Allen (Minister of Defence), Messrs. C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont), W. T. Jennings (Taumarunui), S. G. Smith (Tararinki), G. V. Pearco (Patca), and L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North). It was carried unanimously.

THE LATE MR. R. FLETCHER, The PRIME MINISTER moved a similar motion with respect to tho late Mr. Robert Fletcher, member for Wellington Central. He said that members of the House had admired the courage and tenacity with which Mr. Fletcher had stuck' to his Parliamentary duties in spite of severe ill-health. His heart had been in his public work. His activities on the Wellington Harbour Board, in Parliament, and in other directions had been increasing and successful. Mr. Fletcher had taken a great interest in the work of the friendly societies. 110 lad nlwnvs had a ready helping hand, for those" who needed assistance, and members would agree that it would be long before tho people of Wellington City forgot Mr. Fletcher. SIR JOSEPH WARD said, that'all who had known Mr. Fletcher would remember him as an active, kindly, and earnest, man, working on the side of the people. Ho had achieved prominence by his own efforts. He had always worked hard for what ho believed to be right, and Ins place in Parliament and in tho city would not easily be filled. \ , Mr. J. P. LUKFi (Wellington North) (•aid that Mr. Fletcher had always shown, 'a whole-souled determination to uplift the mpsses and further the interests of the people generally. He had been a generous opponent and a good friend., llis work on tho Harbour Board and tho Hospital Board had been marked by great earnestness and by marked consideration for the welfare of the people with whom ho had to deal. Ho had done much for the employees of the Harbour Board. Dr. THACIvER (Christchurch East) also paid a tribute to the late member. Mr. A. 11. HINDMARSH (Wellington South)'said that he wished to associate himself with nil that had been said of the late member. Mr. Fletcher had had a most difficult task to perform as chairman of the Wellington Harbour Hoard during the big strike of 1013. He had considered it his' duty as a representative of all the pcoplo to take- up a neutral attitude, and notwithstanding Llio enormous pressure brought to bear upon him ho had tho manliness to stick lo tin's attitude. He had suffered considerably for his attitude 110 had been punished from the financial point of view lo a great extent, lint lie had done what ho considered right. Mr. Nindmarsli added that Mr. Kletehcr hud been a man of great executive ability. Tim moiion was supported by' Mr. Witty (Hicearlon), Mr. Harris (Wailcmnta). and Mr. Dickson (l'arnell). ■Mr. P. KJfASMR (Wellington Central) said he would like to associale himself with what had been said regarding his predecessor in the Wellington Central seat. A*, a. representative of sturdy radicalism, Mr. Fletcher had been appreciated by the workers of Wellington. His name had become a household word, and tho respect in which ho was held

had been shown by tho election in 1911, The motion was carried.

THE LATE SIR CHARLES JOHNSTON Tho PRIME MINISTER moved a similar motion with respect to tho lato.Sir Charles Johnston, Speaker of tho Legislative Council. Ho said that Sir Charles Johnston had been a nativo of Wellington, and had been tho first native-born New Zenlandcr to hold tho important office of Speaker' of the Legislative Conn, cil. Ho had grown up with the colony and had lived to see it mobilise 100,000 men, including two of his own sons, to fight tho battlo of freedom and civilisation. SIR JOSEPH. WARD said that the lato member had been a man of genial and tolfcrnnt disposition. He had taken a great interest in. the volunteer system in the old days, and tho fine spirit of the old colonist had maintained him through years of suffering. Tho members of his family had mado great sacrifices in tho national cause during tho war, and the sympathy of the House went out to his widow. The motion was supported by Mr. Buick (Pnlmercston), and carried. the Late mr. r. meredith. 'J'ho Prime Minister moved ' a similar motion with respect to tho late Mr. R. Meredith, ex-member for Ashley. Mr. Meredith had been a keen student of politics nnd a staunch supporter of country interests. Ho would be remembered by members as a strong and active member of tho House in the old days; | SIR JOSEPH WARD said Mr. Mere-1 ciith had gained the good will of every..| section of the House. His rich, rolling,. Irish voice would not be forgotten by members who had been his comrades in the House The motion was supported by the Hon. D. Buddo (Kaiapoi) and Mr. J. Anstoy (Waitaki). OTHER MOTIONS. Similar motions were adopted relating to the late Mr. C. M. Gray, ex-member for Christchurch North; the late Mr. C. S. Rowlands, ex-member for Tuapcka; and tho late Mr. T. Tanner, ex-member for AFaipawa. The House adojurned at 5.10 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday as a mark of re. spect to the deceased members.