"GOOD KING DICK."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 266, 9 November 1928, Page 8

"GOOD KING DICK."

SOUBRIQUET FOB SEDDON.

WILL HISTORY REPEAT?

"I think it is a great pity the admitted facts of political history of New Zealand are not taught in the schools," stated Dr. J. P. Hastings, in speaking at Virginia Avenue last night in support of Mr. Parry's candidature. "I ask you to turn the clock back 36 years to the time when Richard John Seddon was about to be made Prime Minister of this Dominion. If you read the history of that time you will find that that great man was denounced by all the leading newspapers with but three exceptions as an extremist, a socialist and a heavyweight pugilist.

"It was declared that he would try experimental legislation and drive capital out of the country. With this charming reputation Mr. Seddon entered into office. New Zealand at that time was practically bankrupt. It was called 'the period of the exodus.' People were leaving New Zealand like rats leave a sinking ship. These are facts of the time when the great Liberal-Labour party of New Zealand went into office.

"It is a matter of history that Mr. Seddon was not in power before the prosperity of New Zealand and its progressive legislation became a model for the whole world. It wasn't long before Mr. Seddon was known far and wide as 'Good King Dick' by the newspapers that had decried him. To-day we have as leader of the official Opposition Mr. Harry Holland. It is admitted that Mr. Holland is the outstanding intellect in the House of Representatives, and I believe the day will come when Mr. Holland will be called 'Good King Hal.'"