A NATION’S REVERENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 15 May 1925, Page 9

A NATION’S REVERENCE.

NEW ZEALAND MOURNS DEAD STATESMAN. SOLEMN AND IMPRESSIVE BURIAL.

By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 14. The obsequies of the late Prime Minister (Hon. W. F. Massey), were conducted to-day with impressive solemnity and dignity. It was a day when even the heavens wept. The clouds hung over the city as a pall as the great leader of New Zealand was borne from the scene of his life s labour, but the heavy rain of the forenoon by mid-day had given place to calm. A busy, bustling town had suddenly became quiet with the shuttered silence of a Sabbath merning, broken only by the sound of people walking quietly towards Parliament House. From before noon there was a steady procession, and by 1 o’clock there were thousands waiting upon the slopes and in the streets, adjoining Parliament House. In patient stillness thev watched, and with reverent silence took their part in the solemn and simple service with which the last rites commenced. Then, while men bared their heads, the bier was solemly borne down the steps’in a silence broken only by the strains of the “Dead March ” And the mournful tolling of a hell. Ten minutes’ silence had been requested, but it was for much more than ten minutes that the waiting lines of people 6tood quietly by while the cortege passed slowly along the noiseless streets. From balconies and windows, as well as from pathways, many thousands watched the slowly-moving procession as the funeral car appeared, followed by floralladen lorries. Heads were bared, and bands played stately funeral music.

Thus the mortal remains of a. leader beloved of all passed from the halls where he had led the councils of_ the nation to their last resting place on the silent height of Point Halswell. .

. ; , A PEOPLE’S HOMAGE. During tne morning a constant itream ot' people desiring to pay tlieir last homage to the memory or tne late Prime Minister, passed up the slopes ot Parliament Grounds, and. througn the portals draped.' in purple and black, to pass the bier, whereon lay the moital remains ot the leader. Just belore noon there was a break in the clouds and the rain ceased. . As the-last ot the long procession mounted the steps, umoreilas came down among the crowds lining the ropes about the statue ot Mr Seddon, and the carriage way in lront of the buildings. On the rbof Of Parliament House, on the balconies, and terraces, many spectators assemble!!, and every coign ot vantage on the buddings overlooking the grounds was early occupied. Wreaths were being brought out from the basement and placed on lorries, -with raised platforms for the better display. Car after car drove up with identifying signs on the windshield to determine its order id the procession on its long journey through the streets of the city and oiifc .along the shore of the bays, ’,, W,tlie' last ? 'resting place of the Prime Minister at Point Halswell, Everything moved in an orderly manner, in perfect organisation. A naval detachment arrived to take up its duty as bearers of the casket, and then there was a long procession of veterans and returned soldiers with medals on breast, marching in two lines.

DISTINGUISHED MOURNERS. At noon there was a slight lull, and the steps were clear for a while. Insido could be heard the voices of the ministers, and then the higher strain of a Maori lament for the dead_ A fitful gleam of sunshine shot through the clouds, and then the party emerged from the door of the building to tako up its position on the steps for the funeral service. In the lead were, four ministers of the Church with the silverhaired Moderator, accompanied by the Rev. J. Gibson Smith. Behind were Ministers of the Crown —Sir Francis Bell, Sir James Parr, Sir Heaton Rhodes, Sir Maui Pomare, Hons. D. Guthrie, W..N6sworthy, R. Bollard, G. J. Anderson, and A. D. McLeod. Tho Hon. J. G. Coates did not appear at this stage, but was present later. With the. Ministers was Commander Beal, representing the Navy, and behind were several high naval officers, with General Melville representing the Armv. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr T. M. Wilford), and the Leader of the Labour Party (Mr H. E. Holland), were conspicuous, while Sir .Joseph Ward end Sir William Hall-Jones stood as Prime "Ministers of the past. A picturesque touch was lent to the sombre gathering by an old chief in Maori costume carrying his taiaha . He posed for a battery of cameras, throwing off his cloak to display old Maori war medals.

MODERATOR’S MOVING ADDRESS. The weather was clearer when the funeral service commenced from the steps. Divine service was commenced by Rov. G. Miller, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, l-eading the 23rd Psalm—“ The Lord is my Shepherd,” and part of thei 14th chapter of St. John —“Let not your heart’’ bo troubled,” Romans viii, 3439, and Isaiah xxxviii, 12, “I havo rolled up like a weaver my life. He will cut me off from the loom.”

“Our life,” said the preacher, “is like a web that is woven little by little until it' is complete, and then God cuts it off from the loom. In that 'web of lifo is to be Pound the results of all that wo have done. "Whether it be bad, two things are of importance, the kind of threads that we weave with, and the kind' of pattern that wo follow. Thero are times when the shuttle is filled with very dark and dull thread, but when the web is complete and over, according to the pattern given by Christ, our Groat .Example, it will be found that we grow strong through contest, vise through trial, noble through victory over adverse forces, apd gentle through suffering. All bright and dull threads will ho woven into wonderful and beautiful harmony, and when the web is complete, God cuts it off from the loom. That is what wo call death, but it is not death to d'io in Christ; it is but a falling asleep and an awakening in the presence of God. Our Lord said - M am the Resurrection and the Life. He, that beliovelh in Me, though lie were dead, yet shall lie- live, and whosoever live!') and holieveth in Mo shall novel- die.’ He whoso body we are to lay in the grave to-dny, is not dead. He is alive, lie has loft the land of dying, and' has entered into the land of the living. The lale Prime Minister had a good upbriiudug. Ho was taught to revoroneo God and His Word, .and that means a very great 3eal in any man’s life. Impressions were made upon His heart that nm-or left him. The reverent way in which he ouoted the Scriptures revealed his familiaritv with the pages ,of Holy Writ. We do nob sorrow to-da- as those who have no hone : we believe that he rested noon the everlasting arms of God, and by faith he grasped

THE FUNERAL PROCESSION.

the unfailing han,d of Christ, and that by tn© saving power of tne bon of lion no nas neon m tea up into tne heavenly places. Vve no not tiiun tnink of hun as ueadj lie is not uead, nut is alive lor evermure. There is no death. .What seems so is transition. Tins life ox mortal breath is out tne auourb of the me ciysiaii, whose portal wei calf death. Ihere are lew men who have not regarded death witn something of aversion, aim we all sympathise with the touching prayer of Jjr. Mhtheson, the himu‘ preacher of Edinburgh, author or the beautnui hymn, ‘U Love That Will in ot Eet Me uoHis prayer was: 'Kcveal to me that-angel at the gate; give me a view of death as a hallowed thing, it has long been to me the king or terrors. My gravestone has held a spectre, and put an angel there.’ But wnen we look up into tne face of Jesus Christ mid.commit our souls into his keeping, then we are able to exclaim witn tne great Apostle ‘Oh death, 1 where is tliy sting i Uh grave, where is thy victory.’ As had been said, not by all lamps of worldly wisdom, clustered in one place, can we guide our steps so securely as by fixing our eyes on tne inevitable cloud through which all must pass, which at every step becomes darker and jin ore tnroatenmg to , the children of this world, but to the children of faith and 1 obedience still thins away" as they approach, to melt at length and dissolve into that gloi-ious light which knows no setting. The whole Dominion mourns to-day the loss of a great- statesman who loved the land or his adoption, who laboured assiduously and devotedly for her good, who for over thirty years gave to this Dominion faithful public sex-vice, and for thirteen years used those splendid gifts of leadership with which God' endowed him for the advancement of this Dominion and the honour and prestige of the Empire. His has been a noble service; no man has done greater. Ho was steadfast and courageous; he had strength of character and nobleness of spirit; he bore through all his political life and political striie an unsullied record. Ho ivas thoroughly honest and loyal to his convictions; lie was faithful to his friends and' generous to liis foes. A courageous fighter, lie had unswerving determination, and yet withal was generous and tolerant. The Dominion owes him a debt of gratitude which it is impossible to repay. He came to the end of a long and honourable career with an unsullied character, and with an honour and a glory of which any man might be justly proud.” ‘‘He was also a true patriot,” continued the speaker. Hei loved his King and liis country with a burning love. When the war came how loyal he was, how zealously he threw himseli into the struggle and helped New Zealand to play a very pronounced and a very honoured part in tho great struggle. Then how ably and masterly lie grappled with the perplexing problems that arose after the war, and through it all there was not the slightest indication of self-seeking. As someone- has said, no public man ever had a cleaner record or was loss open to the charge of having used his position for his own glorification or aggrandisement. Ho will ho held in grateful memory as one who in years of unexampled stress and difficulty served his country and tho Empire with ability, loyalty and single-hearted devotion. “Now is the stately column broke, The beacon light is quenched in smoke; The trumpet’s silver voice is still, The warder silent on the hill. I “To-day our hearts go opt in deep 1 sympathy to her who lias been bereayod of a loved and loving husband; to those who have been bereaved of a kind and noble father; and to those’who have lost a leader and a friend. Wc commend them to our gracious Heavenly , Father, who is their refuge and' their strength, a very present lid'-i in trouble, and who in all their afflictions is afflicted. May he look down upon them in their sorrow and affliction, and comfort them. The remembrances of devotion to duty, and of a great service for his country nobly done, will ever be fresh in their memory, and fill tlieir hearts with gladness. ‘How beautiful it is for a man to die upon the walls of Zion, to be called like a watchworn, weary sentinel .to put his armour off and rest in Heaven.’ ”

Long before mid-day, on the Ridewalks of Lambton Quay, Mojesworth Street and Bowen Streets, people congregated, their numbers steadily growing till it was almost 1 o’clock when movement ceased, and the great concourse stood in silence. All traffic had been diverted from the streets in the vicinity of Parliament Buildings, and funeral cars according to their classes and groups were drawn up early. Arrangements for traffic control were carried through smoothly and without incident. With one accord, when the Artillery Band, stationed in Parliament Grounds, played the first bars of the Dead March in “Saul,” the great gathering- at the entrance gates and far along the Quay, uncovered, and thus stood motionless and silent as the hearse, followed by draped

lorries bearing wonderful floral tributes, and the official cars wound slowly down the winding carriageway to the Quay. There the semiofficial cars joined in from Bowen Street, and after them again an apparently endless stream of cars from Molesworth Street, from Lowe • Lambton Quay and Bunny Street.

The order of the cortege was as follows:

Hearse and coffin. Cars containing wreaths. Family car. The King’s car, containing the King’s repx-esentatxve, and a representative from Government House. Ministers’ oars. Ex-Prime Ministers. Leaders of the Opposition. Leaders of the Labour Party. Naval Commodore and Military Commandant. Judges, and ex-Judges of the Supreme Court. Speaker and members of the Legislative Council. Speaker and members of the House of liepresentatives. Ex-membei-s of Parliament. Freemasons. Foreign Counsels. Mayor of Wellington. Naval and Military officers. Representatives of tlip Franklin elec-

torate. Magistrates. Heads of Departments of the Public Service. Private secretaries of Ministers. Representatives of Maori chiefs. Justices of the Peace Association. Mayors, chairmen, and representatives of counties, municipalities, hospitals and harbour boards and

local authorities. Representatives of the clergy of various

denominations. Salvation Army. Representatives of the Reform Party

Executive. Veterans. Returned soldiers. Trades and industrial unions. Navy League. Representatives of the Press. Graduates and professors of univer-

sities. Boards of Education. Educational Institute. Law Society. Medical profession. Chambers of Commerce. Representatives of the banks. Friendly Societies. Sailors’ Friendly Society. Rotary and kindred clubs. Y.M.C.A. _ . , __ . Representatives of Racing and Trotting Conferences, and sports representatives.

As the cortege filed slowly past, almost noiselessly, car after car, those on the roadside stood uncovered, motionless and silent. The wonder of it was that so many could stand so very quietly. Only the mournful music of a funeral dirge played by the Petone Band at the intersection of Featherston Street and Lambton Quay, and tho slow toll of the town clock, broke in upon the reverent silence. As the cortege moved on, with upon either side pacing veterans of the South African Campaign and men returned from the Great War, through more thousands standing in Upper Lambton Quay and Willis Street, all along Manners Street, to Courtney Place, the route was lined by dense crowds of reverent spectators. When the cortege reached the head of Courtenay Place, veterans and returned soldiers escorting the hearse halted and stood to attention, while the funeral passqd from Courtenay Place to Newtown. Many thousands of people lined both sides of the streets, and the noble music of the Dead March at intervals along the route pierced the muffled atmosphere and gave n most impressive and inspirational touch to the last stage of the Prime Minister’s last journey. After leaving the Newtown district the cortege gathered speed somewhat, and continued at a faster pace in order to reach Point Halswell to good time. Along the whole route to the head of the Shelly Bay Road, and to Miramar Wharf, there were large assemblages of people to pay their final tributes.

THE FINAL STAGES. From Constable Street downward the eloping road skirting the hillsides overlooking Evans Bay, permitted the cortege to make faster progress. Every vantage point was occupied by groups of silent people. On reaching the level stretch along the head of the Bay the footpaths again were lined by continuous crowds of mourners. Even on the final portion of the journey from Miramar Wharf to Shelly Bay, a sinuous ribbon of rough road between the rippling waters of Evans Bay and the frowning hills of Miramar Peninsula, there were disclosed at every turn little groups of people waiting to pay silent tribute to a great man. Beyond Shelly Bay the head of the procession halted, and tho hearse with the official parly was detached to climb a road specially made to the top of the hill, where the casket was transferred to a gun carriage, which was drawn by non-commis-Bioned officers of the Permanent Force along a newly-made road a quarter of a mile to Point Halswell. Meantime ihe rest of the procession moved on, and members of the legislature with official departmem tal heads, Army and Navy representatives and other prominent people made their way by a short cut up the hillside to the site of the burial, These were grouped around the temporary vault on the fiat space formerly occupied by big guns, and a little way off the higher knolls were quickly occupied by numbers of the public. As the gun-carriage approached, it was headed by the First Battalion Bamcl playing a funeral march. Every other sound ceased except the sighing of a light northerly wind and the lap-lap of the waves on the beach below. The sun remained invisible, but the rain held off though the higher hilltops were veiled in mist. Ferry steamers crowded with silent onlookers cruised close inshore, while numbers of motor-launches and yachts kept them company watching the solemn proceedings on the height above.

AT THE GRAVESIDE. When the cortege reached the enclosure of the burial site at 3 p.m., a corporal of marines, with the chief and petty officers of H.M.S. Dunedin, bore the casket to the grave, the late Prime Minister’s brother and sons acting as pall-bearers. The hand played “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” and the Rev. J. Gibson Smith read a portion of Psalm 103, versus 15-18, aiso Revelations, chapter 14, verse 13; Thessalonians 1., fourth chapter verses 13 and .14; Corinthians 1., fifteenth chapter, verses 20 to 22; ar.d Revelations twenty-first chapter, verses 1 to 4. The body was lowered into the grave, and the- Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (Rev. George Miller) recited the committal portion of the service. He then engaged in a short prayer, and pronounced the Benediction. A trumpeter of the Permanent Force (Sergeant Baker) sounded the “Last Post,” The notes sounding sweetly subdued as befitting the occasion. About this time the sun found a rift, in the clouds to the westward, and shot a few scattered beams on the harbour waters, but the murk of the sky closed in again, and sombre clouds brooded o\er the scene

The Masonic service was then read by the Deputy-Grandmaster of the New Zealand Constitution (Bro. Oliver Nicholson), assisted by Bros. W. G. Girling, Rev. W. Shirer, H. L. Michel and J. A. Nash. At 3.35 the proceedings ended with the Benediction, pronounced this time by the Rev. Bro. Shirer. While the last few words were being recited rain began to fall, and continued for some minutes heavily, while the dead Premier’s late colleagues and many friends took a last sad look at the casket wherein reposed all that remained of him whpm in life they had loved so well. Then they slowly made tbeir way down to the roadway, and so back to the city and the thousand and one cares of public and private life. As they did so the clouds lifted, and the sun shone fitfully forth and poured its slanting golden rays upon the spot where in lonely graxideur the dead leader sleeps, bringing to mind the closing of the favourite hymn “Abide With Me,” viz., “Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee, In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.” THE RESTING PLACE. Point; Halswell is backed by a long ridge runniug at a high elevation a mile inland. The hill drops to a plateau 120 feet above sea level, where ; the old fort was constructed. The old gun pit, which once housed a disappearing gun, is the grave. The casket was deposited there, and taken by a tunnel into the hillside, where, in the centre of a series of magazines built strongly of concrete it will lie in a ready prepared vault. SOLEMN SERVICES IN AUCKLAND By Telegraph—Fre&j Association. AUCKLAND, May 14. A memorial ■ service as a combined tribute to the ]ata»Pi'im.e Minister was held in the Town Hall this afternoon, concurrently with the funeral of the dead' statesman in Wellington. The gathering was representative of all classes of the community and all shades of political thought, Most of those present were in mourning, and thei'e were numerous manifestations of universal sorrow. The solemnity of the occasion was evidently felt by the huge congregation, there being a tense atinosphore reminiscent of that cxpei-i----enced on such memorable occasions as Anzac Day ceremonies. Ministers of all denominations took part in the service. Thei’e was also an outdoor service in Albert Park, and services wei-e held in most churches, A twp-minutes silence at one o’clock was solemnly observed.

MEMORIAL SERVICE IN CHRISTCHURCH. By Tqleeraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, May 14. Christchurch observed a day of mourning, and joined in a solemn tribute to the dead Prime Minister. Nearly all the shops in til© city were closed for the day. Very few kept open in the morning. At noon the factoi’ies ceased operations, and all places, of amusement were closed. Only such activities as it was impossible to interfere with went on, but even these ceased during the ten minutes’ silence fi'om 1 p.m., which was univei-sally observed.

The atxnospheric conditions were in keeping with the feeling of sadness that prevailed in the city. A thick mist hung like a pall during .the greater part of the morning, and the afternoon was very dull, with sombre grey skies. A crowded congregation attended a solemn and beautiful memorial service in the Anglican Cathedral at 11 a.m., when an address was given by Dean Carrington. Simultaneously with the bui-ial service at Point Halswell this afternoon, the citizens of Christchurch joined' in paying their last l-espects at a great united memorial service in King Edward Barracks. The address was delivered by the Rev. J. J. North, who delivered a very high eiulogium of the dead statesman. Memorial services were held in several churches during the day, and also at colleges and secondary schools.

OBSERVANCE IN DUNEDIN". By Telegraph—Prion Association. DUNEDIN, May 14. Memorial services to Mr Massey held in the leading churches to-d'ay, were largely attended and eloquent tributes were paid to the dead statesman. Flags were flown at half-mast throughout the city, and business was at a standstill during the afternoon. At 1 p.m. tram and railway traffic ceased for 10 minutes, but it was found impossible to make this observance generally effective. The day was dull arid overcast, with showers in the afternoon. TAUMARUNUI. By Telegronh—Press Association. TAUMARUNUI, May 14. A memorial service for Mr Massey was held in the Theatre Royal this afternoon, ami was very improssive. The Mayor (Mr G. E. Manson) gave a short address, and a religious service was conducted by three clergymen. GISBORNE. GISBORNE, May 14. To-day was observed as a day of mourning. Shops and businesses were closed all day, and the ten minutes’ silence was generally observed. A citizens’ memorial service was held in the Botanical Gardens, and was largely attended. TARANAKI. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 14. Business was at a. standstill to-day out of respect to the memory of Mr Massey, a close holiday being observed, and ten minutes’ silence at one o’clock. Memorial services in the Anglican, Presbyterian, and Methodist Churches wore largely attended. WANGANUI. WANGANUI, May 14. A very largely attended funeral service in memory of Mr Massey was held in Cooks’ Gardens. The day was observed as a close holiday. WESTPORT. WESTPORT, May 14.

A memorial service, arranged by the Ministers’ Association, was hold this afternoon, with a good attendance. ’1 he Rev. Mr Miller, in the coui-.sc of a eulogism, said William Ferguson Massev served New- Zealand wisely and well. ' He faithfully served God and his country. A nicmoi'inl serviro was also held in St. John’s Anclic-an Church, where the Rev. Mr Jonnyn paid a warm tribute to Mr Massey’s life and work.

NAPIER. NAPIER, May 14. A largely attended united service in nieirory of the Prime Minister was held in the Cathedral this afternoon. An address was delivered by the Rev. J. A. Asher (Presbyterian). The service was a solemn aikl memorable one. PALMERSTON NORTH. PALMERSTON NORTH, May 14. Despite unfavourable weather conditions, 1500 persons attended tho memorial servico in the Opera House, and similar functions were hold throughout the country districts. The day was observed as a close holiday. NELSON. NELSON, May 14. , Memorial services were held in tlio Cathedral and tho Presbyterian Church (combined) at one o’clock, and were very largely attended. NORTH OTAGO. OAMARU, May 14. The Opera House was crowded this afternoon, when a memorial service was held to the late Prime Minister, all shades of political opinion being represented. Stirring addresses were given bv tho Mayor iMr Mrl)>arinid), Mr E. Milner. C.M.G., and the Rev. W. McLean, M.C. IN SOUTHLAND. INVERCARGILL, May 14. Memorial services were held in Invercargill, Gore, and all smaller towns in Southland. Tn every instance tho predominant note was one of sorrow and mourning at the passing of a distinguished .statesman.