LATE HON MacDONALD.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 September 1920, Page 1

LATE HON MacDONALD.

HIS MEMORY TRIBUTED

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 2.

The death.of the Hon Mr MacDonald has moved members of the House more than any other event of the kind has done for many years. The Liberal Leader, was not a brilliant man, and it happened that ill health had prevented him taking a very prominent part in the proceedings of Parliament since he succeeded Sir Joseph iVrirdj after the general election, but he had endeared himself to members in every part of the IlouSe by his honesty of word and purpose, his sense of fair play and his unfailing kindness and courtesy. He had commanded respect by his practical knowledge of affairs, arid affection by his personal worth. The depth of feeling displayed by the House when the formal resolution of regret and condolence was being passed this, afternoon was quite unusual. The Prime Minister spoke with evident emotion and was simply stating the fact when he said that never before had members of the House been so shocked as when the news of Mr MacDonald’s sudden death reached them, after the rising of the House that morning. Mr Wilford, occupying the' Bench that he had shared with his late Leader, was unable to utter more than a fenwords. He was almost completely overcome. The other members who spoke to the motion all shared the deep and sincere regret that the loss of the Liberal Leader had aroused. The House adjourned until to-morrow, after passing a motion of regret and condolence.

* REMOVAL OF REMAINS

FOR BURIAL AT GISBORNE. WELLINGTON, September 2

The remains of the late Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald were placed on the Napier Express this morning. All Cabinet. Ministers, members of both Houses, Sir R. Stout (acting Governor-Gene-ral), the Mayor and City Councillors, departmental heads and many prominent- citizens, followed the hearse to the train.

Mrs anil Miss MacDonald left in special carriages. The pall bearers were members of Parliament. The Liberal Party will be represented at the funeral at Gisborne by Messrs G. W. Forbes (Liberal whip) Hon. A. T. Ngata and Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, and the Government by Hon. W. Nosworthy and Mr F. F. Hoekley M.’s P.