DECEASED LEGISLATORS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 310, 24 September 1921, Page 8

DECEASED LEGISLATORS

THE COUNCIL’S TRIBUTE FORMER MEMBERS EULOGISED Reference was made in tho Council yesterday afternoon to the deaths of Mr. J. G. W. .Aitken, Mr. R. K. Simpson, Mr. Te lieu Heu Tukino, and Mr. T. Kelly. Resolutions were passed expressing the Council’s sense of tho services rendered by the deceased and tendering to the bereaved relatives the Council’s sincere sympathy. Mr. J. G. W. Aitken. Sir Francis Bell said tho late Mr. Aitken had compressed into a comparatively short time an amount of 'public service almost unparalleled by any other New Zealander in a similar period. The Leader of the Council referred to the many offices held by the deceased in the sphere of local politics. The Council, ho added, would remember how a great distinction had been conferred upon Mr. Aitlqon by the denomination of which he was so prominent a member. Mr. Aitken, as a layman holding the office of Moderator of tho Presbyterian Church of Now Zealand, had been a unique figure in tho history of this country. None had commanded more respect from his fellow-members of the Council than the gentleman they now mourned; and no man in New Zealand could refer to Mr. Aitken’s "death with deeper regret than tho speaker himself.

The Hon. G. J. Garland believed that of all the men whom he had known in public offices in this country, the late Mr. .Aitken stood in the highest place. The position Mr. Aitken had held in the Presbyterian Church was one sought after by men of great eminence. In politics one had to know Mr. J«tken only a little time to recognise that he was .sound, generous, and fearless, and one who would never lead a beginner astray. Tho Hon. Dr. W. E. Collins said that the late Mr. Aitken would be very much missed. A very large number of tho citizens of Wellington would long treasure his memory. As a member of the House and the Counc >l, Mr. Aitken had well segvefl his adopted country. As Mayor of Wellington, the city which he loved, ho had been a zealous and devoted worker. Mr. R. K. Simpson. Tho late Mr. R. K. Simpson said Sir Francis Bell, had enjoyed tho respect—and something more than the respect—of his fellow-settlers in the north-western part of Wellington province, and his appointment to the Council had given them deep satisfaction. Councillors would regret him as a dear personal friend, who had spent long years in their midst. Throughout his last illness, Mr. Simpson had always seemed desirous of maintaining his association with tho other members. The resolution of regret was something more than mero formal testimony to the regard in which he had been hold. "Those who knew Mr. Simpson best liked him best,” said the Hon. C. A. C. Hardy. "He was looked up as a patriarch in his district.’* The Hon. R. Moore also spoke feelingly of the loss the Council had sustained in the death of Mr. Simpson. On® could not know him, said Mr. Moore, without feeling that he was a man whom one could wholly trust and love. Mr, Te Heu Heu Tukino. "A man of real distinction among his own people,” was tho description applied by the Leader of the Council to the late Hon. Te Heu Heu Tukino. Tho deceased, said Sir Francis Bell, bore himself in a manner worthy of the great place he held among his race. Like his father and his grandfather, ths late Mr, To Heu Heu exercised an extraordinary influence among tho Maoris. The speaker believed .that thero was no one to follow him of exactly equal influence and position in tho Maori race. Tho Council would miss his presence, not only because it had learned to like him, but because it would no longer bo able to enjoy tho rather humorous criticism he had occasionally offered upon matters of State. Tho Hon. Te Topi I’atuki, speaking obviously with considerable emotion, said that tho late Mr. To Heu Heu had been a pillar of his people, a man of unique position. “Ho was a man of strong character, good to his people, and to the British race,” said Mr. Patuki. "I deeply mourn his loss.”

MOTIONS IN THE HOUSE The Acting-Leader of the House (the Hon. I). 11. Guthrie) moved a motion respecting the late Mr. J. G. W. Aitken in the House of Representatives. lie said that few men had a record such as had been possessed by Mr. Aitken. He had stood for justice and right. He had been a notable influence in charitable effort, and his name would not soon be forgotten by the country he had served. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. T. M. Wilford) paid a high tribute to Mr. Aitken as the_most generous of men, and said that his influence bad left an impression upon the city of Wellington. Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) mentioned the high sense of civic responsibility that had distinguished Mr. Aitken. His charities had been farreaching, and. moreover, 'had always been anonymous. He had been a great citizen. Sir John Luke (Wellington North) referred to Mr. Aitken’s notable services ns Mayor of Wellington and as a member of the Harbour Board. Tim motion was carried unanimously. The Acting-Leader of the House, also made feeling references to the Into Hon. It. K. Simpson, whom he described as a pioneer settler of the very l>est type and a citizen worthy of firn highest respect or fho whole community. The motion of condolence was support. «d bv the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. T. M. Wilford). Mr. Tl. Newman (Rangitikei), and Mr. If. Hockly (Rotorua), and was carried unanimously. Sir William Harries moved with reference to (he Into To Hen lieu Tukino, whom Im described as one of (he few representatives of the old Maori rnngitiras. He had been connected bv blood with the greatest of the, Maori tribes and he had possessed the attributes of high birth in the form of courtesy, dignity and generosity. His passing had been a loss to Maoris and to pakehas. Tim motion was supported by (he Lender of the Opposition and the Hon. I)r. Pomaro. and carried. The House adopted motions of regret and condolence with reference to the deaths of the late Air. W. J. Dickie. Mr. Henry Brown, Mr. .T. C. Wason, Mr. T. Kelly, and Mr. J. M. Verrell. GOVERNMENT BILLS Some important Government Bills reached the House of Representatives yesterday. It is not usual for legislation to bo presented to the House so early in the session, but. Ministers apparently are ready on this occasion to take the risk of giving a fillip to the debate on the Address-in-Reply. The Bills that came down by Governor-Gen-eral's Message yesterday wore the "Mortgages and Deposit Extension Bill, the Motor Vehicles Bill, the Forestry Bill, the Government of Samoa Bill, the Animals Protection and Game Bill. Notice was given of the T/’cal Bodies' T/'-ans Amendment Bill, the Banking Act Amendment Bill, and the Auzac Day Amendment Bill.