THE LATE MR MASSEY

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1925, Page 1

THE LATE MR MASSEY

.MU L. M. IS ITT, M.P. "You want tin appreciation of M Massey from me!'” said Mr L. M Isitt, M.l’., when approached. “Well as you know, during the early part o. tny political career it was a ease oi mutual depreciation. Party polities are a somewhat vigorous ipniniity. am! looking back upon the time, I think that in the energy of our exchanges honours were even. With the commencement of the war came my appreciation of Mr Massey. I found him then, as did thousands of others.

a much higer man than ever 1 had imagined. That man would ho a fool who iiitarrolled over his water rate whi'ii his house was on lire : and when the Cot It s, Austrians, Turks and various smaller mil .inutilities were bent on consuming the British Empire I was nor small enough to emphasise party differences, ami furnish ammunition to those in our own land who loved other nations better than they loved their own. Xn one who was in the political circle during the years of the war could doubt that the Prime Minister wtts actuated by anything hut an intense love for the Empire, and a determination to do all in his power to aid her in the struggle. Of course mistakes were made here, as in every other portion of the Empire, blit in my opinion. New Zealand was fortunate in having ut that crisis a man as strong and fearless as Mr .Massey. "We politicians are very human, and there is a personal incident which I should like to mention. When my youngest son was leaving for the front. Mrs Isitt and 1 were standing on tin 1 wharf watching the troops embarking. We had seen the boy for a few minutes about tut hour before. Mr Massey was on the deck of the ship, and saw Us standing on the wharf, straining our eyes to see if we could get another glimpse of the lad who had just marched on hoard with his company. Where a smaller man would not have felt called upon to interest himself in a strong political opponent, Mr .Massey immediately sent a messenger to invite u- 0,11 board, and owing to that act of consideration the mother had a lasi hall-hour with the boy she was never to see again. An act ol that kind obliterates the memory of any p.-iriv dilfereitce, and in common ivit.li the va-L number of people I shall leel deeply lit.- los- that the Dominion has sustained. I have no doubt that Mr •Mas.-ev’s death was hastened by the merciless nay in which lie worked himself."

MR D. C. SC Ll.l \ AX. M.l’. "Our country's greatest Conservative leader, and one of tls greatest men.” said Mi I). Sullivan, M.P. “Ifis great ties- was the greatness of personality. that 'something' so exceedingly dillieult to define in words, blit so real in its existence, so potent in its power to impress other people. Mr Massey had a large mind, though f do not think that in that respecl he measured up to Mr Seddon's standard ; but he had a charm that it- was impossible not to leel. and which was so genuine a thing that intimacy only intensified it. IDs tact. too. ainounled to gcniti-. lie wtts a master in his quick appreciation of the mood of Parliament. and in the adjustment ol attitude necessary to secure the best rosulst from the (lovernment’s point of

"In niv capacity as whip ol the Labour Parti m Parliament dining recent years my duties brought me into close personal contact with Mr Massey, anil almost always I found him svmpiitlict ie and responsive to the viewpoint of members on the Labour ami Oopositinn benches in the multitude of matters that whips must, discus- in regard to the hours that the House -hoitld sit, ilie Hills that should lie taken, etc. There were occasions when his colleague- in the Ministry and members supporting liis Government, were all for bludgeoning Government Hills through at a definite sitting, against the de-ires ol Lanottr and Opposition members, but Mr Massey, with liis greater political wisdom and more kimllv personal disposition, would overrule these impetuous and would-be ‘strong’ people, and would come to a reasonable eoniprotuise acceptable to the opposite side ol the House. I here

were never anv ‘misunderstandings' m regard m these arrangements when Mr Massey was lonccrned. The Prime .Minister’s word could always he relied on. In this matter ol tact in tic handling o| I’arliamont Mr Dmvnic Stewart, when tiding as Leader ol the Huiino. displayed many of his chiel's qualities. "I have often marvelled at -Mr Mussev's wonderful constitution and capacitv lor work, f have seen him meeting deputations at nine o'clock in t.|ie morning alter the llottse had been sitting all night or thereabouts. and the Prime Minister would be easily tile freshest among its. despite the heavy lit! I'ili'M lie earned. I llese three tilings indeed constituted his strength; bis magnificent physical constitution; his rarely tailing tact, ami bis personal geniality and kindness. A< an example of Mr Ma-sey’s kindness to a political opponent I may ouote the case of a I atbour . member who received a telegram staling that a very dear member ol liis lamilv was dangerously ill til Auckland, and that the worst was leafed. The northern express had gone, and with it the opportunity of the member getting away that day. Krienils of the member explained the matter to Mr Massey who, without a moment's hesitation, gave instructions for a powerful motor-ear to be provided to take the anxious parent right through Irotn Wellington to Auckland. It was acts sttcli as this that won lor Ma-sey the respect even of those of us, like the members ol the Labour Party, who were his uncompromising political opponents. -The news we have received is not unexpected.” added Mr Sullivan. \t e were shocked at his appearance' when he presided at the All Black welcome home, and felt that the end was near at hand. A great figure has passed from our midst, one that will take a place in the history of our muntry. There can he no doubt that he set ted his country with a high sense oi duty that was part of his very nature, and with a loyalty to his own party that never faltered. He will be terribly missed in the Government camp, lor they have none like him to take up the mantle that has fallen from him.

,1 t*r>GF. FRAZER’S REFERENCE. WEET/TXOTOX. May 11. The* Arbitration Conn adjourned. .Tndee Frazer, in the course of a panesvric said that a fitting tribute could ' lie Paid to the . soundness. of A[r Massey's statesmanship in the wider t enso and to his strong imperialism. Xot the imperialism of Kniserism, seeking to dominate and subdue the world, but the imperialism of the assemblage of free peoples whose progress helped rather than hindered the progress of

death, New Zealand and the Empire lost an outstanding figure, a man of unquestionable persona! integrity. a

strong .sagacious statesman, a loyal, honourable devoted servant of the State. He bad been diligent in bis business, and had stood before Kings and the great ones of the earth, and won their eonlidenie and regard, and had commanded ilie respect of the lesser men of whom the proverb speaks now that lie had gone to rest, with consciousness of duty well done; sympathy went out to the widow and family. It was hoped that the knowledge that the example of his life would be a source of inspiration to this generation and to generations to come would in some measure afford them consolation in the bereavement-.

MASONIC LEADERSHIP. MR RICH ATON'D. OK GRKYMO t'TII. BT TlitnGß.t:. H PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT A EOK LAND, May 11. Mr Massey's deatli deprives the -Masonic Institution in New Zealand ol its official head. This is the first time in the thirty-five years' existence of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand that the Grand Master has died while in harness. When Mr Massey was installed into that office in Auckland last November, the ravages of the disease which has resulted in his death, were already painfully apparent, and it was obvious that only liis remarkable fortitude enabled him to go through the fatiguing ceremony of installation. A 5 a matter of fact, he has never been able to perform any of the duties of liis idlin', lieyond the signing ol the documents issued from the Grand Lodge office, which required his signature for their completion. f uller the Masonic system of administration, the duties of Grand Master devolve automatically upon the Deputy Grand Master of the year. Mr It. H. Richmond, of Groymnuth, who will continue to fulfil them until the next ciimiininieation in November, when another Grand Master will he elected. According to the system established by I InNew Zealand Grand Lodge which enables each of the four chief Masonic provinces to nominate a Grand Master lor two years out ol every eight. Auckland will have the right to give the lead in the choice of Mr Massey s

In point of laid, the transfer of authority to Mr Richmond involves no actual change of procedure in the craft. As Deputy-Grand Master, he was the constitutional head of the Order in the absence ol' his senior officer front the Dominion, and .similarly now. in the case of his death. and moreover. Air 'Massey’s illness had proven toil him from visiting the Lodges and other Masonic functions, so Mr Richmond has undertaken practically the whole of such work that has been dune in the last five months. All the Lodges In Now Zealand are to he draped in mourning for the next month.

T. I’. O'CONNOR’S ANALYSIS. LONDON. May 10.

Air T. P. O’Connor (“Kather of the [louse of ('ominous.” and veteran Irish Nationalist' ALP.) contributes a iwocoluntn obituary notice of tlie late Air 'Massey to the London “Daily Telegraph,” in which lie says; “AH' Afnssev was born at l.iiiiavady. which represents the Ulster Orange temperament, m its rigido-st anil its dourest : lor with f>uf, a slight change in his liio. the. late. New Zealand I’rimo .Minister, might have occupied the place which Kir James Craig has. He had the same resolute temper, the same stern, simple creed.”

MRS MASSEY’S REPLY TO Till KING. WELLINGTON. May 11

.Mrs Massey, in reply to the Kings message, has cabled : "My heaitfelt thanks for Your Maesties’ most grai-i mis and sympathetic message. Ihe knowledge that Your Majesties join in our sorrow is a solace to me and mv family in our bereavement. \\ <’ are prmid of the unblemished record of service to the Empire, unit honoured by such recognition by our King and Queen. Christina Massey.

FROM colonial secretary. The following telegram has been received by His Excellency the Govern-or-General from Colonel Amery (Secretary of State for the Colonies) : - “Personal Please convey to Airs Massi",- and family the most sincore sympathy from Mrs Amery and mysell. 1 deeply regret the loss of an old friend, mid one whose faith in the Empire, never Inhered.

THE .1 ELI. I COES' AiKSXAGK. \ cable has Leon received as follows from Karl Jellicoo.- “Lady Jellice and I mourn with New Zealand the loss of its great Prime Minister. Please convey our deepest sympathy with Airs .Massey and the Government." C WADIAN CONDOLENCE. OTTAWA May IK IP",ret is expressed in Government circles at the death of Mr Massey. A message of condolence has heen cabled hy the Premier. Air McKenzie King, to the New Zealand Acting-Premier. AUSTRALIAN KEELING. SYDNEY. May IK

The "Daily Telegraph” sa.vs : "A grey-granite stone, graven v'ith the words] ‘Hero lies an I mperialisi,' would !,e a fitting monument to raise above ilie hist resting place ol A\ illittni I'eigusoii Massey. It would he expressive of the man most notable in political circles ill the Dominion since the day of Rich a til John Seddun. The article proceeds to pay a tribute to him as "a bluff, strong, far-sighted man of adamantine qualities.' and places his work as an* Imperialist oil a |,t"l, plane, declaring he was “a rohuT unequivocal patriot. diliu-ing -onJdei.ee when it was most, urgently needed.'' Referring to Mr -Massey > <‘tlorts and achievements in the direction of closer relations between the Commonwealth and the Dominion, the article declares: —"All along he was a. firm believer in co-operation between the Commonwealth and the Dominion in all matters of mutual oencorn. -Distraint will join sincerely with the sister Dominions in regretting the death of so true a friend and so sterling a elm meter whose abilities won him Km-pire-wide renown.

HIGH COMMISSIONERS’ MESSAGE. WELLINGTON, May 12. Sir James Allen Now Zealand High Commission lias cabled .Sir !• rancis Bell, expressing profound regret at Air Massey's death and sympathy with his family. “The death has taken from us n most ardent Empire builder, and the United Kingdom, the Dominions and Colonies will all regret Air Alassev’s passing.” AIR MASSEY’S TOAIB. ■WELLINGTON, May 12. The gnnpit at Point Halswell, which

is being converted into a tomb for the late l’rimo Minister, is about 100 feet above the water and was constructed in ]SB6. It occupies the most commanding point in the harbour and wa.s -suggested as a .site for the soldiers' memorial. An eight-inch gun occupied the pit but it is now dismounted and rolled down the hillside. VOTES OF SYMPATHY. WELLINGTON. .May 12. At a special meeting of the Executive of the N.Z. Alliance, the President made a special reference to the death of the Prime Minister and the meeting passed a resolution of symwith Mrs Massey and family. after which the meeting adjourned. Similar resolutions were passed by the Schools Association anil Xmas Gift Fluid.