The Daily News. WEDNESDAY AUGUST 7, 1901. DEATH OF THE HON. SIR JOHN McKENZIE, K.C.M.G.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 74, 7 August 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY AUGUST 7, 1901. DEATH OF THE HON. SIR JOHN McKENZIE, K.C.M.G.

AwHeuaH the death of Sir John McKeazie will not come as a surprise to most of our readers, it will be with sincere feelings of regret that the s\d news will be received throughout he colfmy. Almost the oldest member of th/* House of Representatives, the de- j ceased ex-Minister has done yeoman sorvice for the colony, and for the) party with whom he has been identified I during the long term of his parliamentary career. He Wf s a thoroughly staunch Liberal, and, moreover, a m»n ' who had the courage of his convictions and the ability t) maintain and aegis* in developing th > progressive policy of his party. Foi- gome time he acted as Opposition Whip, and deservedly won his wsy to ministerial rank when the late Mr. Ballance became Premier. That he should have been s 'le«ted by that keen of men to fill the office of Minister of Lands was. a sufficient guarantee th*t he possessed those qualifications which subsequsntly marked him out as one of the pillars of i tie present Government. His land policy stands out tn one of the chief factors in the progress and prosperity of the colony, and it was a great loss to the country when through ill health the late Minister was compelled to give up his portfolio and quit the arena where for so many years he had valiantly fought and striven for the advancement of the colony by means of beneficent legislation. Though called to the Upper House Sir John was unable to take his seat the>-e, as during the last portion of his active and honourable life he has boen prevented by illness from taking part in public affairs. It must have been very gratifying, however, to him to have 'been the recipient of the honour conferred upon him recently by the King, through the medium of the Duke of York, so that now it may be said the well tried statesman has passed to his rest covered with honours and years well spent in the public service, regretted and esteemed by all sections of the community, and leaving behind a record on the Statutes that will be looked back to with pride by succeeding generations.