The Press. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1902. CECIL RHODES'S WILL.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11245, 10 April 1902, Page 4

The Press. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1902. CECIL RHODES'S WILL.

As farther details are disclosed regarding the provisions of Mr. Cecil Rhodes'* will the public cannot faU-to feel more than ever struck with the large-mindedness, the generosity, the breadth of vision, of the departed statesmen. In some respects, as in i&e conditions of tie scholarships to whkh we nave already referred, they 6«em to shew a lack, of tie practical mind which goes into details of administration, and makes them workable. The will, in short, seems to show- Cecil Rhodes as the thinker, the statesman, the cooceiver of great- ideas who needs the co-operation of others to carry them into practical effect. One wishes that he had called in the assistance al those who cunH have put his plans into working shape. Doubtless that wifl be done in time by those who are charged with the administration of the wiii, but before the desired object is attained a good deal of money may have \o be expended in law costs, or at best there -will be a sad waste of time, and much conflict of opinion accompanied by doubt as to how far the wishes of the testator are being carried out. I; is here we see the superiority of Mr. Carnegie's method. The great American millionaire is distributing his wealth during his lifetime, instead of bequeathing it after his death. He is thus enabled to see to its disposal in the right channels, to give advice and personal assistance in the carrying out of his philanthropic idea 3.

Neverthe'ess the example of Cecil Rhodes affords a fine tibject lesson to other men of great wealth, who wish to leave their impress for good upon the age in which j they lire. So far from the influence j exerted by the Empire Builder ceasing with his life, it promises to expand and ripen into a richer fruitage after his death. Regarding his actions during his life there were differences of opinion, both as to some of the objects he had in view and the methods he used to attain those objects. The ends sought to be reached in his will are noble ends, to be compassed, if at all, by noble means. We shall watch with intense interest the successive steps taken by his trustees to bring about the federation of tha Anglo-Saxon race. His educational endowments are a personal gift to portions of the British Empire on which he had. never ret eyes—New Zealand, for example. They will constitute not only a binding link in the confederation of the Empire itself,. but will htLp to draw nearer to us the nations with whom we have closest affinity in blood. Wβ hope that the example he has get will be followed by others. Even in this colony wealthy men might do more than they do to improve mankind, and advance the interests of the State by a judicious application of some of their weailth, either during their lifetime, or in\their testamentary dispositions. Much good, for instance, might be done by instituting scholarships which would enable promising New Zealand students to continue their studies at Oxford or Cambridge, tbflS giving them the benefit of a culture which belongs to such ancient seats of'learning, hallowed by so many great associations. A proportion of tb£.*e would return to tne colony, perhaps to engage in teaching either in class or church, and so the "little leaven" thus introduced might, in the end, become "a, great lump." Much could also be done by providing places of healthful recreation for the people, and by adding to the very limited store of art treasures in fhe colony. Of course, it may b* objected that the colony is young, and that there are not many men as yet who are possessed of any surplus wealth. That is true, and it is also true that, young as the colony is, it has already benefited by some handsome benefactions on the part of generous colonists. Every year, however, if this colony goes on prospering, the accumulation of wealth wSI increase. We hope that, "pari passuy , the example -will spread of devoting a portion of that wealth to public purposes and benevolent works.