“GENIAL AND KINDLY”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 9, 1 April 1927, Page 13

“GENIAL AND KINDLY”

MR. COATES’S TRIBUTE LATE HON. D. H. GUTHRIE (From Our Resident Correspondent .) WELLINGTON, To-day. A tribute to the late Hon. D. H. Guthrie was paid to-day by Mr. Coates, who said: “He was one of the best-known figures in the Parliamentary life of New Zealand during the past 18 years. Entering the House in 1908, his quiet, but lovable personality impressed itself upon his fellow-members. His practical experience in the teaching profession as well as in agricultural and pastoral occupations made him a valuable member, and in matters affecting the interests of the producers his opinion was eagerly sought after. “In his capacity as Chief Whip of the Reform Party in Parliament, his duties brought him in close contact with all sections of the Legislature, and notwithstanding the fact that during those times party feeling ran high, I think I am quite safe in saying that the late Air. Guthrie had practically no enemies in the course of the many years he filled this position. In fact, I might say that he proved himself to be an ideal Whip, and it occasioned no surprise when Mr. Massey offered him promotion to ministerial rank in 1918 as Minister of Lands. The difficult duty devolved upon him of administering the settlement and repatriation of our returned soldiers, and it is a matter of common knowledge how unceasingly he worked in coping with the many problems in this respect, in addition to his work in connection with the administration of lands and lands settlement. “He also had placed upon his shoulders the onerous duties of the portfolio of Railways, and there is little doubt that the heavy official burden which he carried greatly undermined his health, leading to the necessity of his retirement from active public life during the last year or two. His was a genial and kindly personality, and his advice and counsel will be greatly missed.”