DEATH IN ENGLAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 841, 9 December 1929, Page 1

DEATH IN ENGLAND

SIR JOHN FINDLAY LAWYER AND POLITICIAN Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. Private advice was received in Well-

ington today of the death in England of Sir John Findlay. The late Hon. Sir John George Findlay, K.C.M.G., K.C., was born in Dunedin 67 years ago. He was educated at Scott’s Academy, Hokitika, and at Otago University. In 1887 he was called to the Bar, and practised in Palmerston South. Seven years later he accepted a post as lecturer on political science at the University of Otago. A little later he entered into partnership with Sir Robert Stout, but on the latter's appointment as Chief Justice the then Mr. Findlay formed a partnership with Mr. F. G. Dalziell, and practised for many years in Wellington. While in that city he was the founder of the Wellington Shakespeare Society. When the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward formed his first Ministry following on the death of Richard John Seddon, Sir John Findlay was called to the Legislative Council in 1906, became its leader, and also held the portfolios of Attorney-General and Minister of Internal Affairs. He was a member of the Ward Government for five years, after which he represented Hawke’s Bay in the House of Representatives from 1917 to 1919. When closely associated with Sir Joseph Ward he accompanied the Prime Minister in 1911 to London and was present as an adviser at the Imperial Conference which considered Sir Joseph’s scheme for the establishment of an Imperial Council. Later Sir John Findlay wrote a book about that conference dealing with its inside history. Another book from his witty pen caused a great deal of interest in this country, its title being “Humbugs and Homilies.” He also wrote extensively on social, economic and political subjects. Many Aucklanders will remember his lively, but unsuccessful, contest in 1914 for the Parnell seat against Mr. J. S. Dickson. In recent years the able King’s Counsel had suffered failing health, and took a recuperative trip to Great Britain.