VISCOUNT LONG, OF WRAXALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1924, Page 4

VISCOUNT LONG, OF WRAXALL.

“A GREAT ENGLISHMAN”

The Prime Minister (ltiglit Hon AA’. F. Massey) un AA’educsday paid a high tribute to the memory of \ iscount Long of AVraxall, whose death was reported in the cables last week.

Mr Massey said:—“The last A iscount Long of AA’raxall —he was at that time the Ilight lion AAalter Long, and Secretary of State for the Colonies —in 1917 presided over the lirst imperial Conference at which I was present. lie was also a member of the Imperial AA'ar Cabinet. “I got to know him well, and I have no hesitation in saying that lie was in every sense ol the term a statesman, a patriot, and one of the very best types of Knglishmcn. Jho loss of his only soil, llrigadicr-C'Oliernl Long, who was killed in action on the AA’estern Front, was a severe blow to his parents, and one from which neither of them easily recovered. “The late Lord Long was one of lhe best friends that the overseas Dominions have ever had, one who understood the ideals and aspirations of the citizens of the Empire, and who sympathised with them in their desire to build up and maintain a strong self-supporting Empire, every part of which would work with and assist the other parts either in peace or war. Lord Long believed tirmly in the theory that the special mission of the British Empire is to promote peace on earth and goodwill between men. At the same lime he was an enthusiastic supporter of Empire preference, believing that a business-like and well-thought-out system of Preference would do more to keep the countiies of the Empire united than all the formalities that have over been piaetised.

“ Walter Long, as his friends called him, was a great Englishman, one who loved both his country and the Empire with all his heart and soul, and was ever ready to make any sacrifices 1a which British interests might be promoted. I speak as one who know him well, and appreciated his splendid loyalty during the most serious period in’ British history. 1 am quite certain that those who. like myself, worked with him in the Imperial AA'ar Conference and AA’ar Cabinet in 1917 and 1918 will never forget the encouragement and kindness extended to his fellow-members, and especially the overseas representatives, by the statesman whose loss we mourn to-day.