TRIBUTES IN PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1920, Page 5

TRIBUTES IN PARLIAMENT.

FEELING REFERENCES MADE. BOTH HOUSES ADJOURN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Legislative Council this afternoon, Sir Francis Bell referred to the tragic death of the Leader of the Opposition, and spoke of his singular modesty, coupled with his marked administrative ability. By his association with Mr. Mac Donald during the days of the National Cabinet he had come to appreciate the latter's conscientiousness, and his desire to do his best for the, people of the Dominion, and these had formed between them ties of friendship which had held to the end. An honorable, upright, and capable legislator had been lost. He moved a motion placing on record the Council's,appreciation of Mr. Mac Donald's services, and expressing sympathy with his relatives. The Hons. G. Jones, Sir Wm. Fraser, J. B. Gow, W. J. Geddis, J. Grimmond. and Sir William Hall-Jones also spoke. _ The motion was passed, and the Council rose at 3 p.m. until 2.30 to-morrow, as a mark of respect to the memory of Mr. MacDpnald. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m., and immediately on assembling Mr. Massey rose and moved the customary motion of sympathy and condolence with the widow and family of the late Mr. Mac Donald. ' THE PREMIER'S TRIBUTE. In domg so, the Premier outlined the chief biographical facts of the deceased gentleman's life, and mentioned the various public positions which he had held during his political career. Then proceeding, he said he felt confident that he was right in saying, he had never seen his fellow members of 'the House so shocked as they were during the early hours of this morning, when the news came that the late Mr. Mac Donald had passed away. They could not realise then, and they could scarcely realise it now, that the man whom they had seen in his seat yesterday afternoon had made his last speech as a member of the House; but the news was too true. In losing Mr. Mac Donald they lost one of their most highly respected men, and one whose memory would be long cherished. To Mr. Massey's mind, one of the best features of their Parliamentary life was that when deatli came into the House party politics went out, members remembering only the best qualities of the deceased. He (Mr. Massev) would' never forget the way Mr. Mac Donald played the man when the, Empire was passing through the crisis of the Great War; he could never forget how Mr. Mac Donald rose to that occasion and assisted his colleagues, and subsequently the National Government, in carrying oil under the stressful circumstances. That kind of experience was a test of a man's fibre, and Mr. Mac Donald came through tho test admirably and unshaken. In the ordinary business of the House tho late Mr. Mac Donald was extremely thorough, earnest, and sincere, and his groat store of common-sense was often invaluable in settling difficult problems. His kindness of nature was great, and it was pleasant to recall that his last speech in. the House was a tribute to one of his former fellow members. Thev had not been of the same political party —they had held different views on many subjects—but that never made the slightest difference to their friendship; that had always remained unbroken. Their late friend had left a widow and family,' and. said Mr, Massey, "our sympathy fioe« nut to them, and wo can only hope that He who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb will be with them in their sad bereavement," MR. WILFORD BREAKS DOWN.' Mr. AVilford, who next rose, was so deeply affected by" the sudden loss of his leader and colleague, that it was some minutes before'he was able to utter a word. Then, speaking almost inaudibly, he said he hardly knew how he could add anything to the generous tribute paid to the late Mr. Mac Donald ny the Premier. He said he would have liked to add his personal tribute to his friend, but—here he broke down completely, and adding, "I find it impossible to say more," sat down. Mr. E. Newman, as chairman of the