“GREAT MORAL COURAGE”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 May 1939, Page 6

“GREAT MORAL COURAGE”

-LATE MR W. B. MATHESON. FARMERS PAY TRIBUTE. “He was a man of great moral courage, combined with outstanding integrity,” said Mr H. Morrison, president of the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union at the meeting of the executive today, when referring to the death of Mr W. B. Matheson, an ex-president of the Wairarapa Farmers’ Union. Mr Morrison paict a glowing tribute to the work done by Mr Matheson for the Farmers’ Union throughout New Zealand and in the Wairarapa in particular. “Mr Matheson came to the Dominion as an engineer on a ship, and served his apprenticeship on land when conditions were much harder than they are at present,” said Mr Morrison. “He went 40 miles into the bush and there carved a home out of the virgin bush, where he reared a family. “The late Mr Matheson was one of the original members of the Wairarapa Farmers’ Union which commenced approximately 40 years ago,” Mr Morrison added. “In those days the district was extremely large and Mr Matheson did wonderful work among the farmers. Our former president was one of the first members of the Dominion Executive and was for some time the Dominion treasurer.”

As far as he could remember, Mr Matheson had served longer on the Dominion Executive than any other member he knew. Mr Morrison stated. Mr Matheson was a strong debater and a quick thinker. He served on a land commission under the Seddon Government, doing wonderful work which farmers in New Zealand would not easily forget. Mr Matheson had also served on numerous other local bodies.

Mr Morrison’s remarks were supported by Mr D. McGregor and Mr L. T. Daniell. Members present stood in silence as a mark of respect, and a letter of sympathy is to be forwarded to the relatives of the late Mr Matheson.