OBITUARY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4828, 11 May 1925, Page 2

OBITUARY.

THE RIGHT HON. W. F. MASSEY, L.L.D. (Edin.). PREMIER OF NEW ZEALAND. The Right Honourable William Ferguson Maisscy. Prime Minister of New Zealand, whose serious illness caused deep regret and brought expressions of symathy from all nails of the Dominion and from distant countries overseas, died at his Wellington residence on Sunday afternoon at 5.40 o’clock. The news of Mr Massey’s demise will be received throughout the Dominion witli the utmost regret. Mr Massey’s age is given as 69. He came to New Zealand 55 years ago, and underwent the trials of the pioneer settler before entering Parliament in 1891. He became leader of the Opposition in 1903 and Prime Minister in 1912, and was created a Privy Councillor in 1911. Our late Premier was a man ’>f great strength of character, and was admired not only by the people of the Dominion of New Zealand, but also by the many prominent leaders in politics in the English-speaking world. He was the last of the, Premiens who held office at the outbreak of the world war, and i* is now but history the great part played by him as Prime Minister of the Dominion during that trying period. Friend and foe will agree that he was a shrqwl, commonsense man, with an unblemished honour, who on many occasions upheld the dignity of the Dominion at the Imperial Conferences held in London with considerable ability. It was at these conferences that great recognition was given him as an Imperialist. His views were accepted on many of the grave subjects of the day by those who were in a position to Judge. INTEHMENT AT WELLLINGTON ON THURSDAY. By Governor's Warrant a special site at Wellington has been selected for the interment, which will take place on Thursday next. > NEWS REACHES PAEROA. The sad news of the Prime Minister’s death reached Paeroa shortly after six o’clock last night, and feeling references were made at the various places of worship. At St. Paul’s Church last night, ii' the course of a sermon from the text “L am the Resurrection and the Life” the vicar, tlie Rev. F. B. Dobson, made feeling reference to the passing away of the Prime Minister, and raid tribute to his many sterling qualities. During the service the hymns “Now the labourer’s task is o'er” and “On the resurrection morning” were sung, and prayers for. the souls of the faitli-r ful departed, and for those who rncuni, were offered. As St. Andrews Presbyterian Church the Rev. R. Morgan said that though the detail of Mr Massey was not unexpected, yet its sudden announcement came as a shock. In him the State had had a faithful servant. Through troubleoiiK times he had guided the affairs of this Dominion with the skill of a true statesman. Braver was of-fer-.d for the deceased’s family, and that for this Dominion might be raised up another leader who would take up the tools so faithfully used, but now laid down, by our late Prime Minister.

In referring to the deatli of the Premier at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Clitirch tlie Rev. Father Dunphy said tliat the demise of the] Bight Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister, re? moves an outstanding personality from our public life. Whatever be our estimate of his public service,, whatever be our judgment of his policy, we must ail recognise tliat lie had a remarkable career, in which indomitable energy and will-powqr were the determining factors. Both friend and opponent will think kindly of him in his demise, and our national history will accord him an unique place in our political record.

MESSAGES Ok CONDOLENCE.

Mr W. Marshall Mayor of Paeroa, forwarded the following message to Mrs Massey

'The Borough Council and Burgesses of Paeroa tender deepest sympathy to yourself and family, and grieve greatly for the irreparable loss co our country and Empire.”

The Ohinemuri County Council chairman, Mr A, R. Robinson, forwarded the following message of condolence to Mrs Massey this morning' "On behalf of the council and inhabitants of the County of Ohinemuri I rest ectfully tender most sincere sympathy with you and your family in your sad breavcinqnt. and express tne sense of tremendous loss to New Zealand in the passing of the Rt. Hon. Mr Massey.”

From the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce -

"Paeroa Chamber of Commerce tenders sincere sympathy on your and Now Zealand’s great loss.

Mr C. H. Pascoe, chairman of the Pat-na District High School Committee forwarded the following ‘‘The committee, staff, and pupUr: of the Paeroa District High School tender to you and your family their sincere sympathy in your sad bereavement. and grieve at our National loss."

Flags throughout the town were flown at. half-mast as a mark of respect to Mr Massey.