LATE MR. COLVIN

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 31, 31 October 1919, Page 3

LATE MR. COLVIN

' - \ TRIBUTES IN PARLIAMENT

i A TYPICAL PIONEER \ Many tributes of affection and esteem \ were, paid to the late Ik. James Colvin \ by members of tho Houso of Kopresenta- \ tives yesterday afternoon. ! The Primo Minister (Mr. liasscy) submitted to the House the. following resolution:—"That this Hoiiso records dts high - 6ense of the faithful services rendered to New Zealand by tho late James Colvin, a member of the Houso of Beprescntativcs, and a former Minister of the Crown, and respectfully tenders to his widow and family assurances of sincere sympathy with them in their bereavement." "Like many other members, no doubt," laid Mr. Hassey, "I was never more shocked in my life than when the news camo to mo last night that Mr. Colvin had been kiilwl. It seemed to mo that it was only a fow minutes previously that, looking across tho floor of the Chamber, I saw him in his accustomed place in his usual health and strength, looking at peaco with all the. world, as indeed bo was, for I know that I am right in saying that Mr. Colvin had not an enemy in this Dominion, either personal or political. Tho late Mr. Colvin was an ideal representative of a goldfields constituency, being a typical goldfields pioneer, Eor twenty years, from 1899 to tho present year, he possessed tho confidence of his constituents, and there was no sign, not tho slightest sign, of any wearying of support on their part. It is well known that bo intended to retire at tho coming election, but on both sides of the Houso wo looked forward to seeing him again a familiar figure in the Halls of Parliament, doing useful work in "another place." But it was not to be. A greater Power, which wo are in the habit of cabling Fate, has willed otherwise. He has passed over the Great Divide. Though Mr. Colvin was not on the same side of .politics as myself, for twenty years we have been personal friends—from his first coming into this Houso until his death. 1 knew him well, and, like, othoi'9 who know liim well, I respected him. • Sir, it will be a long time before the venerable features, tho kindl'.y smile, nnd genial disposition of the man who has just posed away, the man whose name was a synonym for straight-going and fair dealing, will be forgotten by members of this House, by members of "another place,'" 1 by all who have business within tho Legislative Balls of this country." Sir Joseph Ward (Leader of tho Opposition) said that the late Mr. Colvin would be remembered by his brother members as one of Nature's gentlemen. He had been a man who made friends wherever he went. Ho had 'been.absolutely unpretentious, but ho had won tho respect nnd affection of all those with whom he camo into contact. His last words to the speaker had been a reference to tho \ land of his birth—a comparison between ' the conditions prevailing in New Zealand . and in Ireland. The lato member would i bo missed as a good friend and a straightforward man. Sir Joseph Ward mentioned that ho had received telegrams relating to Mr. Cohan's death from-very many people,- including tho Hon. G. W. Eussel, and Mr. Holdswnrth (manager of tho Union Steam Ship Company), who : offered to convey tho body'to the South ' Island without charge. He added that his feelings would not allow him to say more.

Uur. R, Scott (Otago Central) read a resolution of regret and sympathy passed by tho Mines Committee of the House. Mr. T. M. Watford (Hutt) said ho had been asked to express tho sorrow felt by the House messengers, -who wished to say that they had received from the late Mr. Colvin much courtesy, consideration, and kindness, ire had known tho late member as a loyal colleaguo and a close and sincere friend. Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland) also mado feeling reference to Mr. Colvin. Ho said that Mr. Colvin was tho most popular member of tili-e Houso, and he won his popularity by his of heart. So nlso'on the West Coast, among tho'pioneers thero, ho was a man without enemies and with many friends. Ho (Mr. Seddon) had been his friend from boyhood, and had always regarded him as a very dear friend. Mr. It. P. Hudson (Motucka) said that ho had always .found Mr. Colvin a true and sincere a.nd helpful friend, always Teady to offer.assistance to a new mernW ; (as Mr. Hudson had been) in connection with his Parliamentary duties. Tho Hon. A. M. Myers (Auckland East) associated liimself "with the other speakers. He had been requested to my a. few words by the late member's colleagues in the- Mackenzie Ministry. \ more genial, kindly, and earnest man had never represented the people in Parliament. Mr. T. A. H. Field (Nelson) said that he had known Mr. Colvin probably longer than any' other member of tho House had known him. Even forty years ago Mr. Colvin had been a leading figure in Westport, and just as highly respected as he was .at the day of his death. Tho people of th© West Coast had lost a true friend. Mr. H. E. Holland (Grey) said ho wish-

Ed to express on behalf of tlio Labour Party in the Housa awl outside of it /' the deep regret that had been aroused by the news of Mr. Colvin's death. He himself had received the greatest kindness from tlio iato member, and no men vould regret the loss more keenly thau tho miners. Ma - . Colvin had understood the work and the trials of the miners, and he had always been ready to champion their cause. Dr. Thacker (Christchurch East), tho Hon, A. T. Ngiita (Eastern Maori), the Hon. J. A Hnnan (Invercargill), Mr. H. G. Ell (Christchurch South), Mr. ,T. Payne (GTey Lynn), and' Mr. I?. M'Callwm (Wairau), also i>aid tribute to the lato Mr. Colvin. Tho motion was carried, and the Itouso adjourned until 7.30 pan. in respect to . tho memory of tho late member.

TRIBUTES IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. SIR FRANCIS BELL moved in the Legislative Council a "resolution similar to that carried in tho House of Representatives. Sir Francis Bell said: "The lion, gentleman met his death last night under angularly tragic circumstances, leaving his friends with cheery words; and almost at our doors his life was ended.

sio3t of us have met liim in the precincts of our building. Many of us /$ havo known him as long as our Parliamentary career extends. There has been in my time no member of either Housa who was so essentially tho friend of all the other members. Mr, Cplvin was of a singularly amiablo disposition, and tho famiiarity of each member's relations with him exceeded, I am sure, in a very very : great degree tho terms of familiarity upon which anyone of us is with porhaps any but ono or two friends in Parliament. Ho possessed tho confidence of a constituency which elected bim continuously for nearly 20 years. He bad the confidence of his neighbours for years before his entry into Parliament, in his service upon many local bodies; and in his own town and iiis own neighbourhood there was tho same affection felt for bin by the people—a general personal tribute paid to him-as wo here feel in his regard. ' I believe there has been no death which we havo recorded hero which caused so ' general and genuino sorrow as Mr. Colon's owl. I shall read to tho Council tho record of his public career. , . . It is moro than a, mere lip-service that both branches of tho Legislature arts i offering in th'eir exputessions of syitt- '•' pathy with tho widow and tho other < relatives, bevauso we are tpeakmg of -' one whom we know and our knowledge of him enables us to have somo measure of their sorrow." Sir William Hall-Jones expressed the belief that tho late hon. member had not a singlo enemy, and boTe animosity towards no one. Tho name by which ho was familiarly known indicated in . what general esteem he was held. Mr. Colvin was a great lover of Empire, awl one who 'had ever been ready to do as much for tho Empire as anyone else in New Zealand. Tho sympathy of the Council would go out to tho widow an* children of tho departed. The Hons. .T. G. W. Aitken and J. Griinmond also added thoir expressiono of sympathy and regret, and the resolution waa passed.