MR SEDDON'S HEALTH.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11875, 23 April 1904, Page 6

MR SEDDON'S HEALTH.

All being well, the Premier leaves Wellington to-day for a trip to the Chatham , *, which may extend over a month. Little information hub readied the public ears as to the exact nature of his illnce», and the present state of his health but sufficient haa leaked out to jottify anxiety on hi 3 account unless, for the noxt few* mouths, he takes more care of himself than has been, his custom hitherto. He has apparently all a physically etrong man's usual contempt for each precautions as

natura enforces upon her weaker vessels, but there is a limit to the liberties that can safely be taken with the most robust constitution, and the Premier, if all accounts are true, has had warning that he has been in danger of overstepping the line. In point of energy, Mr Seddoa is about forty years of age, and wiry at that, but the relentless publications which delight in trjch details tell us that ha is fifty-nine, and lie himself lot out the other day that he weighs more than twenty stone. It is a combination of conditions that suggests the wisdom of Mr Seddon, for his own sale?, foregoing much of th-e political campaigning in which he a> much delights, and which has evidently affected him more than has been immediately apparent. Fortunately, the Chathams have one great advantage over the rest of the colony— that of spUndid isolation, unbroken by the telegraph and cable, and only faintly disturbed by the infrequent visits of a small steamer. Howevor many wants the residents wish to lay before the Premier. tli'.y can hardly extend them beyond the limits of one deputation, and when that is over Mα , Seddoifa medical advisers will, no doubt, see to it that his " rest cure" is aa complete as possible. They will probably have some difficulty in preventing him inaugurating a new branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation, with a subbranch for the Morioris, but he must, of courre, have some recreation, and liis doctore will probably recognise the wisdom r.f making a graceful concession occasionally. We have often crossed swords with the Premier, and hope to do so again, but the strongest criticism of his administration .'s quite compatible with admiration of his personal qualities, and 'in expressing sincere regret at the necessity for his trip, and an equally sincere wish that he may return completely restored to health, we are voicing the feelings of his political opponents as much as those of his warmest supporters.