The Late Sir. William Russell.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 25 September 1913, Page 3

The Late Sir. William Russell.

AN OPPONENT'S TRIBUTE. A heartfelt and well-deserved appreciation of the late Sir William Russell was voiced in Parliament last night by Mr G. W. Russell. Mr Russell said it avus always sad when the pall of death fell over Parliament, but on this occasion there would be a feeling of especial sadness because every member, of either branch of the Legislature, who had had the privilege of meeting Sir Win. Russell, must have realised that to knoAv him was to love, respect, and admire him. To many members the departed leader, for so he might be termed, was knoAvn only bv name, but there were many in (he House who would remember him in days past when he took a prominent place in the politics of Xew Zealand and bore his part in face of disappointment with that sleru and inflexible feeling of patience and heroism that always characterised men of his race in times of adversity, li was his fortune to take part in Ihe proceedings of the House and the politics of the country when Parliament had. as its leader the most dominant tactician and able personality Ihat New Zealand polities had seen. During the whole of that time Captain Ilusscll. as he then was, bore his part with a devotion that commanded the admiration uot only of his friends but; of those who were his political opponents. Night after night \\r. was seen, to the very moment of the sitting, in his place, like the soldier that he Avas, fearlessly staying at the post oi duty. No one could study his character without realising that there was in him a gentleness, nobility, and knightly courtesy and chivalry that commended him to the heart of every man who came In contact j with him. He was one of Nature's gentlemen, and he had left an example in the politics of this country of which .New Zealand might justly be proud, and which should be a priceless heritage to the youth of this country in days to come. Ho abstainer! always from censorious dispraise of otli- j el's, and never uttered a harsh or i unkindly word. . . . When the honour of knighthood was conferred upon him the feeling of the whole country was that never Tiad knighthood been more worthily t bestowed. One of Ihe most con- si spieunus characteristics of his lif':> $ was his thorough eoTiscieniioiisncss in every act of his political career. Tie never sought the limelight, and besides carrying out duties which brought him into (he eves of the country, attended Avith equal assiduity to the smallest Committee work and tho humblest offices t: of local Government. fc