MR SEDDON IN SYDNEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 17, 21 January 1901, Page 3

MR SEDDON IN SYDNEY.

SPEECH ON THE TUTANEKAI,

On the 4th inst, on board the Tutanekai, the New Zealand Premier, the Rt. Hon. R. j. Seddon, was presented with an address of welcome by New Zealanders now resident in the New South Wales capital. In his reply, after thanking those who had subscribed their names to the address, Mr Seddon is reported in the "Sydney Evening News" to have referred to a variety of subjects:—ln respect to the South African War, he said "the British had wiped out Majuba frotn the map. There was only one thing that the Boers recognised—that was superior strength. (Cheers.) Put them down, and keep them down—that was the only way to make them respect the British. (Hear, hear, and a voice: "So says Lord Kitchener!") When they knew that that power was asserted, they would respect us. Yes; the Australian people were now celebrating the birth of a new nation, and had he been in Australia, taking part in Australian affairs, he would have been an ardent federalist. (Cheers.) He would have endeavoured to help to end the war of tariffs—the one colony trying to get the better of the other—the barrier warfare, the railway tariffs, the antagonistic feelings that had been Engendered. (Cheers.) New Zealanders said, "Success to the Commonwealth," and wished it "God-speed" and prosperity. But it might be asked, "Why is it that you have not seen fit to join in this federation?" The answer was simple. If New Zealand had chosen to take part in the various conventions, the colony and its representatives would have hampered the Australians, and probably kept back federation. The conditions of New Zealand were so different, and there were certain responsibilities which that colony had undertaken, which were so distinct and apart from anything in Australian life, that to have joined Australia would have retarded the great step which had been so effectively and so well brought to a conclusion. (Hear, hear.) But the New Zealand people had been watching Australia with a friendly eye, and when the time came for them to take part with them, they would show to their kindred and their friends in Australia that they were indeed of the same kindred. They had sent. a contingent Sere. Together, their sons had fought and bled on the veldt in South Africa. (Cheers.) They had shown that they were one race, one people, when they were required to do their duty, as Nelson had asked the men of England to do before; and as Britishers would ever do. (Cheers.) In this great demonstration, this peaceful demonstration, they had though that the Maori should be represented. (Loud and prolonged cheers.) And he never felt so proud of Australia as he had on the day when, as the procession passed through the streets of Sydney, there arose the cry, "TenakoeV (Cheers.) But, in reference to federation, New Zealand had a denned policy. They wanted to look before they leaped; and they had appointed a commission to inquire into the desirableness of entering the union. But, apart altogether from politics, he unhesitatingly said that he believed the people of New Zealand and Australia were bound together in sympathy; they were so entwined that nothing would ever sever the tie. (Cheers.) New Zealand was respected, because it was progressive. (Cheers.) New Zealand had been experimental, or, rather, ft had been experimented upon; but those who had condemned their experiments, now recognised their wisdom. (Hear, hear.) But in this new century, let them do ■their best, so far as human being's could, to improve the world-(eheers)-and, with a true democracy, to aim for greater freedom and a higher and brighter civilisation. (Cheers.) That would be his aim, the aim of all New Zealaders, and, he had no doubt, the aim of those who were entrusted with the destinies of this great Commonwealth And when they were animated with this one desire, what was there to fear? Nothing whatever. Let them all work together for the common good, for the sood of all humanity. (Cheers.) New Zealand was not understood. He looked at the newspapers, and saw sometimes half an inch devoted to New Zealand affairs *He called upon the press of this country to remove that injustice. Sheers) Mr Seddon concluded by wishing prosperity to the Commonwealth, and loud cheers followed his speech.