THE PASSING OF MR MASSEY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 14 May 1925, Page 7

THE PASSING OF MR MASSEY.

GLOWING TRIBUTE FROM ULSTER. "WHOLE SOUL CENTRED IN NEW ZEALAND.” By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.

Beutcr’a Telegram*. (Received May 13, 7,10 p.m.) LONDON, May 12. The Prime Minister, Sir JameCraig, speaking in the Ulster Parliament, said that Mr Massey’s whole soul was centred in the people of New Zealand. Nevertheless, he had a warm place in his heart for his native country and they mourned the distinguished Ulstermen, whom all loved.

Last Rites To-day.

INTERMENT AT POINT HALSWELL.

BODY REMOVED TO PARLIAMENT

HOUSE,

By Telegraph—Press Association

*■ AVELLINGTON, May 13. The body of Mr Massey was taken from the Ministerial residence to Parliament House this morning. The coffin was borne on a gun carriage, covered by a Union Jack. During the day a large number of people passed round the catafalque, on which the body of the deceased statesman lies in state. Hourly, the volume of messages of sympathy, and wreaths is being added to; and by every means of transit the large number of visitors from parts of the Dominion is being added to.

A PEOPLE’S REVERENCE.

“MOUNTAIN OF FLOAVER3.”

Sj Telegraph—Pres. Association. AVELLINGTON, May 13. To-day tne body of New Zealand S most devoted servant lay in state at Parliament Buildings, a ltd many thousands passed reverently by the raised tier on which the casked lay, lovingly truarded by two soldiers and two sailors, with heads bowed and rifles reversed. , , , a _ , The bier was surrounded by floral tributes of the choicest flowers the Dominion could produce, while hundreds of others poured in all through the dav. The total number ran into thousands. They came from high and low, rich and poor, the highest in the Empire to the humble cottager m the country districts of the Dominion. . The Dominion’s sorrow is deep; tho bereaved family’s deeper; but the Wonderful’. expressions of sympathy that have ..come from all parts of the world have done much to ease the pain of tho parting. To-morrow morning, from 10 to 12 o’clock, the public will have opportunity to nay their last .tribute o.f respect, and to see the glorious mountain of flowers. ■, At one o’clock the solemn procession will leave Parliament Grounds, and will pass through the heart of the city and over Constable Street to Point Halswell. On tho adjoining heights thousands of citizens will assemble to bid adieu to "no who has risen from the ranks to hold the highest honour it is in tlm novrer of the Dominion to bestow. There will he many full hearts tomorrow’, and while the deceased statesman’s mortal remains are laid in mother .earth, tho'iyhts will turn to that eon tie. ladv whose life partner he has been and to whom she has been a devoted wife.

MASONIC SERVICE AT

FUNERAL.

By TelAi —Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 13. Mrs Massey and family, having expressed their desire that there should be a Masonic service at the grave, arrangements have therefore been made to enable Masonic brethren to conduct a service. The brethren at the graveside will be confined to Grand Lodge Officers, and the Rev. Bro. Shires will officiate.

TELEGRAPH ARRANGEMENTS.

By Telccrnph—Press Association,

WELLINGTON, May 13.

The Telegraph Department announces that all offices which usually close at noon or 2 p.m. on holidays (including Timaru) will be closed to-morrow at at noon till 5 p.m. Those open on holidays from 9 to 10 a.m. (including Temuka, Geraldine, and Waimate) will remain open till 11 a.m.

ADDITIONAL MESSAGES Ol* >' SYMPATHY.

xjy Telefrrapli—Prov* -A ssoclfttlotb WELLINGTON; May 13. Messages ot sympathy a tii the relatives of the late Prime aimister, and tributes to lus services to New Zealand and the Empire, continue to be .received. . . The Speaker of the Legislative Council has received the iollowing cable from Melbourne: —“On behalf of the Parliament of the Commonwealth, L extend deepest sympathy to Mi' Massey’s relatives, and mourn with New Zealand in the loss of her distinguished Prime Minister. T. Gwens, President; AV. A. Watt, Speaker.” Sir Walter Carncross also received the following cablegram from the Old Country:—“Members of the United Kingdom branch of the Empire Parliamentary Association express sincere sympathy at the great loss your Parliament and nation have sustained by the death of your Prime Minister, who played such a great part in Empire affairs.”

Lord Derby says:—“l should be deeply obliged if you would convey to the family of the late Mr Massey my most sincere sympathy. I saw a great deal of him at different times during the last few years, and fully realise his sterling qualities. The Empire has lost one of its most sterling supporters.” From the Premier of Queensland: — “On behalf of the Queensland Government I desire to convey deep sympathy on the occasion of the Joss sustained by your Dominion by the death of your Prime 'd inis ter.” Mrs Massey has received further messages as follows : ‘‘The Pan Pacific Union express sincere sorrow to lose Mr Massey, and deep sympathy for his family and the peop'o of New Zealand.” “The ltoyal Agricultural Society deplores the loss of your husband, and extends sinrerost sympathy to yourself and family.” “The New Zealand Farmers’ Union deeply sympathises with you and vour family in the loss of your distinguished husband.”

From Mr Lloyd George: “Deeply regret Mr Massey's death. He was a fine Tmpcival patriot. Shall never forget the support of his unflinching comradeship on the AVar Cabinet in the days of the Empire’s greatest trial.”

MEMORIAL SERVICE IN TIMARU. TO-DAY’S CEREMONY. AT MAIN SCHOOL GROUNDS. Timaru will pay tribute to the dead Prime Minister this afternoon, when a memorial service will be held in tho grounds of the- Timaru Main School, and Mr AV. Thomas (Rector of the Timaru Boys’ High School) will speak on tho life and work of the late Right Hon. AV. F. Massey. Tho service will be. held under the auspices of the Timaru Borough Council, the Timaru Ministers’ Association, end the Timaru School Committees’ Association, and it will commence at half-past two. All Territorial Units and Senior ' Cadets and the S.U. Battalion Band will parade at the Drill Hall at 1.45 p.m., and will be present at the service. The Salvation Army and Pipe Bands will also be present, and the “Last Poet” will be

played by Busier Matthews. • His Worship the Mayor of Timaru will preside at tho service, tho order of which will be as follows:

“Funeral March,” played by the South Canterbury Battalion Band.

Lord’s Prayer—Rev. A. C. Lawry (president of the Ministers’ Association) . Scripture reading (Ist. Cor., xv., 20 to 58) —Rev. K. D. Andrews-Baxter. Hymn, “O God Our Help in Ages Past” (accompanied by Salvation Army Band). Prayer—Rev. P. Gladstone Hughes. B.A.

Scripture reading—Revelations vii., 9 to 17; Revelations xxii., 1 to 5. T,ament. “Flowers of the Forest” (Timaru Pipe Band).

Address—Mr W. Thomas, M.A. Hymn, “Nearer Mv God to Thee.” Benediction—President Ministers’ Association.

Der<! March in Saul—South Canterbury Battalion Band.

“Last Post”—-Bugler Matthews

National Anthem

OFFICIAL MESSAGES. His Worship the Mayor of Timaru received the following telegram yesterday from tho Acting-Prime Minister (Sir Francis Bell) : —“Ministers will bo pleased if you would invite citizens to close their places of business on Thursday, 14tli inst., on the occasion of the funeral of the late Mr Massey. It would also be appreciated if the citizens were asked to cease all activities for ten minutes, from 1 p.m. All trains and telegraphs will cease operations for that time.” After consulting the Retailers’ Association, the Mavor decided that the request to close all day to-day had heen received too late, in view of the faet that he had already asked the business people to close for only half the day. and arrangements had been made aecordinely. Yestcrdav the Mayor received the following further message from Sir Francis Bell:—-“Mv colleagues and T desire to express to your Council our gratitude for your message of sympathy in the great loss suffered by the Government and tho country, and its generous appreciation of our beloved leader. I will convey the resolution to Mrs Massey and her family.” Before ' commencing the business of tho Timaru Main School Committee fest evening, the chairman referred to the passing of the Hon. W. F. Massev. and n motion of sympathy was passed with Mrs Massey and her family.

At a meeting of the Conned of the South Canterbury Savage Club last evening, a. vote of condolence with the ’’os of the late Right. Hon. AV. F. Massey was carried in silence.