LATE GEORGE LAURENSON.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 68, 20 November 1913, Page 2

LATE GEORGE LAURENSON.

TRIBUTES IN THE HCL':i

A POPU .r: MEMBER.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, November IP

When the House met at 2.30 yesterday, the Hon. W. F. .Massey said ae desired to move that the House place on record its high sense of the .'aithful services rendered to the Ooninioii by the late Mr Geo. Laurenon, member for Lyttelton, and re;pectfully tenders to his wife and famly its sincere sympathy in their bereavement. He said that it was very lifficult to realise that Mr Laurenson, .\ho was in his place a few days ago, iad passed away, and Parliament .Olild be the poorer for his death. He .as' a man of strong convictions and •trong sympathies, 'but liberal and • road-minded to a degree. He was a over of books, and was, therefore, .ell read. He never allowed the heat jf debate to interfere with his friendships in the Lobbies. He was sure hat the sympathy which was- being .endered to his widow and family ,'ould tend to soften the blow. He was ertain that his memory would never ie forgotten by the men with whom :e had worked in the Parliament of he country. Sir Joseph Ward said that Mr was one of the most earnest ind sincere men in matters appertainng to political life he had ever had he pleasure of meeting. That he eld strong views upon matters of principle was recognised by all who new him. He never made enemies, ,ut, on the contrary, he made friends •herever he went. It was a singular ( ■ircumstance that Mr Lauren son's predecessor in 1898 passed away suddenly. • [e endorsed all that had been said by he Prime Minister. Mr Laurenson .ould be remembered as a man who ■fought to bear a great deal of inMligence on all matters he discussed. May his ashes rest in peace.''' Mr It. H. Rhodes said that he had lways found the deceased member of roader views than he Avas given credit or. The House hnd lost an able and luent speaker, and the country had ost a good servant. ' Mr G. Forbes added his tribute of •espect. He had lost one of his clostst friends. One of Mr Laurensoh's .trongest characteristics was his largetess- of heart. He was a man of strong onvictions and spoke strongly, but is soon an a debate was ended no one ■ s qayickiy 1 left >■ the matter behind. ■•■Mr' G, W. Russell s'aid that Mr ,auT!ens'on Was : a' man' o¥ :! warm- and ;enerou&. sympathies.' 'He . was bold nd cohageous in all ( hj? fH?'l)/ic uiter**ices. ! His outstanding enarqeteris-. ic was'his conscientiousness. hat was kid* upon, him by, ihtsi-ritoSft umble /arrant his attention.' Messrs Buddo, Ell, Witty, Davey,. "sitt and Payne added their quota of I estimohy to Mr Laurenson's worth,, 'ind the House then adjourned till 2.30 o-morrow.. A similar motion was passed in the legislative Council, on the,motion; of the Hon.■ '¥'. H. Bell, "supported by the: Hems. Stnithp, ...Jpneft and the Council adjourned; as a markof respect to the memory of the ceased. ' -'" ' : "'■• l ' ; '.'■ "■■ '■'