PARLIAMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 382, 29 July 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MR. T. E. TAYLORS' DEATH

i TRIBUTES FROM MEMBERS. [iiy tkli:;;rai'U. —riu:ss association" ] Wellington, This Day. The House met at 2 30 p.m. Fourteen days leave of absence was granted Mr Heaton Rhodes. Government Bills, as follows, were read a first time: Town Planning, Pharmacy Amendment, Friendly Societies Amendment, Shipping and Seamen Amendment, Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration, Workers' Compensation Amendment. Gaming Amendment Eiil, Mr Jennings; and an Hereditatry Titles Prevention Bill, Mr Newman, were also read a first time. Prior to the House gqing into committee of supply for discussion of the Imprest Bill, Mr Massey asked that as >ittie discusison as poissble might take place on the Bill, to enable theHou-eto honour the memory of the deceased member, Mr T. E. Taylor. Sir Jas. Carroll stated that he had intended to move in this direction. He agreed that discussion should be limited. Leaders on both sides had been consulted. The Imprest Supply Bill, amounting to £721,400, then passed through all its stages without discussion. Sir Jas.Carroll referred to the death of Mr T. E. Taylor, who since the House last met had been gathered to the fold. He characterised the deceased politician as a strong, fearless man. whose loss would be keenly felt by tli? country. His extraordinary powers soared to the highest. He was a genius, and he was on a rising tide to claim public favour when he was taken away. Mr Taylor's untimely disappearance from the House closed a life of usefulness which the country might have had to its advantage, for his usefulness as a public man was becoming more apparent every day. This country had lost a powerful mind and a strong, vigorous spirit of tireless energy. He was a great champion of democracy, and words failed to describe deceased's quality fittingly. He moved the House place on record its high sense of appreciation of the services rendered to the legislature by the late Mr T. E . Tayor, and extend to his widow and family assurance of its sympathy for them in their bereavement.

Mr Massey. in seconding the motion, wished to express his sincere sympathy with the widow and family. Though many differed with the hon gentleman, all were ready to honour the memory of him whom no one would say did not possess many p-ood remarkable qualities. He had few equals on the platform, and no equal, as far as this country was concerned. No member who ever sat in the New Zealand Parliament would ever forget Mr T. E. Taylor. The Hon. Ceo. Fowlds said to-day New Zealand mourned the loss of one of the greatest politicians ever seen in New Zealand. Mr Taylor was without doubt, the greatest speaker over heard in Parliament or on the platform in New Zealand. He had heard most great speakers of the Old Land, and he placed Mr. Taylor second to none. The position New Zealand occupied in temperance reform was mainly due to Mr Taylor, and a few others associated with him in the earlier periods of the movement. Since Mr Seddon died, he was sure nothing had made so great an impression on the public as the death of Mr Taylor. Those who had not seen Mr Taylor in the bosom of his family had not seen him at his best.

The Hon. D. Buddo said after what had been said there remained very little for him to add. He had been associated with Mr Taylor for many years, and was always impressed with the way he stood up for what he believed to be right. He was perhaps seen at his best when in a minority. Fie was always unselfish and honest in all work for the public good. Several other members eulogised deceased an a politician and man, and expressed sympathy with his family. The House rose at 3.45 p.m., until 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday.