PARLIAMENT’S TRIBUTES

Grey River Argus, 3 June 1943, Page 4

PARLIAMENT’S TRIBUTES

To Deceased Members

<■ WELLINGTON, June 2. Sincere tributes to the services for the Dominion of the late Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Sir A. Ransom, and Mr. S. G. Smith, were paid by Members ot the House this afternoon, and at the conclusion of the session, the House adjourned until 7.30 to-morrow evening as a mark of respect to their memory. Moving a motion of appreciation or the services' of the late Mr. S. G. Simth, and of condolence with his relatives, the Prime Minister said that the majority of the Members of the House had known Mr. Smith well, some of them for a very long period. Everyone respected him for his services to New Zealand, and ne was held in special esteem or his work is connection with education, and his continued support for-educa-tional progress. He pay a tribute, on. behalf of the House and country, to one who had given a life of great service to the country.- _ Seconding the motion, the Leaner of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland said Mr. Smith had been, highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him, and he had been a popular Member with, all sides of the House. The public life of New Zealand had been greatly enriched by the service Mr. Smith had given it. The motion was supported by a number of Members on both sides of the House and was carried. Moving a similar motion regarding the late Sir A. Ransom, Mr. Fraser stated that, as it had been said of Mr. Smith, he had been a popular Member of the House. He had been a strenuous debater and hit out strongly, but he was invariably fair, and his remarks left no sting The motion was supported by Mr. Holland, who said Sir A. Ransom had intended to leave political life. One instance of Sir A. Ransom’s kindliness and helpfulness, said Mr. Holland, had been his personal gift to him of a number of books and papers which, Sir A. Ransom had thought, would be of use to him in his work.

Tributes were also paid by a number of other Members, andi the motion was passed. Paying a feeling tribute to the life and service of the late Mr. Coates, the Prime Minister described Mr. Coates’ death as a loss at the present time that was devastating and overwhelming. He was a man who could not be replaced. Mr. Coates had died at a time when his services were never more valuable to New Zealand and. to the British Commonwealth. Mr. Coates had a driving sense of duty animating his nature and influencing his outlook, and he never turned aside from doing what he considered to be his plain, clear duty, and from taking the path he thought was the right one, whether It was the accepted or the unaccepted one, the orthodox or unorthodox. Mr. Coates had brought to the War Cabinet the benefit of his military experience, and was prepared to forfeit everything, to lay down his future career, and if need be, his life for the country he loved. New Zealand realised that a great man had passed away. Seconding the motion moved by Mr. Fraser, .recording the appreciation of the House of Mr. Coates’ services. and expressing sympathy with Mrs. Coates and family and the relatives, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland, said that it was a great many years since the country was so Shocked bY> the passing of a public man. There had been few men in New Zealand with a record more distinguished than that of Mr. Coates. Mr. Holland referred to the diplomacy and tenacity displayed by Mr. Coates when he represented New Zealand overseas. He was a man who never Questioned the I'ight of others to differ from him. and he never showed any bitterness. He wished to acknowledge the debt he owed to Mr. Coates from the advantage he had gained from many consultations with him. Tributes to Mr. Coates also were paid by the Speaker, Mr. Barnard, and a number of other Ministers and Members, and the House rose at 6.25 n.m. until 7.30 to-morrow. ' Tributes to three former Ministers of the Crown, Mr. J. G. Coates, Sir A. Ransom (Member for Pahiatua). and Mr S. G. Smith (former Member for New Plymouth) were paid by the Legislative Council to-day. when motions similar to those of the House of Representatives were passed. The Council then adjourned as a mark of respect to June 8.

LONDON TRIBUTE TO MR.

COATES.

(Special to N.Z. Press Assn). (Rec. 6.30.) LONDON, June 1Tributes were paid to the late Mr. Coates at a luncheon given by the Bank of New Zealand to Hon. F. Jones. Mr. Cecil Luobock (chairman) referred to the great loss to the Dominion and the Empire by the passing of “that splendid man.” Mr. Jones said; “I had the honour of knowing him in this country. _ I never lost the deep vivid impression of his fine presence and definite personality.” said Mr. Jones. -“It is only close association where you really get to know a man, and during the last, four years I know that in connection with the war, he rendered wonderful assistance.’’ Mr* Jones added that Mr. Coates’ main aim in life was to serve his country,. He did all he possibly could to see it properly defended. He added: “No man has given a greater contribution to New Zealand’s war effort, than Gordon Coates. He himself would have loved nothing better than to be with the fighting forces. He did try to tell me that he was a long wav younger than he really was. That was typical of the additude of the soldier of' the last war. I feel tint he would have wished 'nothing better than to die, as he did in harness?’