VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12517, 12 June 1906, Page 9

VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA.

In the early part of the year 1902 Mr Seddon was invited to represent tho colony as a "Royal guest" at the Coronation of King Edward VII. At that time the war was still being waged in South Africa, and further contingents wero being sent from New Zealand. Tho Premier resolved to accompany one of the contingents as for as the Cape, where he pro-posed to land I and travel inland to the scene of hos- } tali ties, and ho accoi-dingly set sail I Avith the North Island Battalion of the Tenth New. Zealand Contingent, whioh i left Wellington in the Drayton Grange on April 14th. A few days previously he visited Christchurch, for the purpose of receiving a testimonial presented on behalf of the people of the colony. The function took place in the Canterbury Hall . on Tuesday evening, April Bth; the attendance was large and representative, and the proceedings were of a decidedly enthusiastic character. Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, who at that time was Mayor I of Christchuroh, presided, and the presentation Avas made by Sir John Hall, ' Mr Geo. G. Stead also being one. oLthe speakers. The testimonial expressed the appreciation and approval of the. colony of the prompt and practical • proof Air Seddon had given of the sympathy of his fellow colonists with their Motherland in her South African struggle. The address was to have been I accompanied by a "national purse," which had been subscribed to by all I clusses of the community, but at Mr Seddon's request this part of the presentation , was postpcnod until his return. The same afternoon the Premier was presented with addresses' by the I Kaiapoi Maoris at the Tuahiwi Pah, j 1 and by the old age pensioners at the Provincial Council Cnambexs. On re- ; turning to Wellington he ivas enter- ' tamed at' a banquet, ' and was after- i wards presented with an address from the workers of the colony. Tho Drayton Grange reached Sydney on April 19th, and Mr Seddon was j Aveloomed by Mr O'Suilivan. Minister for Works. In the evening he was en- I tertained at a banquet organised by' tho shipping companies, at which a i number of leading politicians, including Messrs Barton, See, Wise, O Snllivan, Reid, and Sir W. J. Lyno were present. " During his stay in Sydney Mr Seddon conferred with Mr Barton, the Federal Prime Minister, relative to the request of the Eastern Extension Company, for a twenty years' agreement, and urged that the matter be left in abeyance pending the discussion on cable and cognate subjects by tho Premiers' Conference at Home. Mr Seddon was also welcomed at Albany by the West Australian Alinisters. On the arrival of the Drayton Grange at Durban., Mr Seddon wa3 presented with an address of Aye 1 come by the Durban Corporation. In returning thanks he said that Neiv Zealand desired peace on an eA-erlasting basis. If more men Avere Avanted, he added, more would be sent. Addresedng the Australian Association at Durban subsequently, he emphasised t..e solidarity and unanimity of Ui'3 iv.iiplre. He said that the only possible, conclusion of the Avar Avas the unconditiouul surrender of the Boers, though, as brave fighters, they Aiould be troitcd Avitii Great traditional generosity. At Pictermarit-burg, where he received a most cordial aaol-

come, Mr Seddon was Governor. On his way' f___"fr_____jj l he visited the graveof 'ijf&f_______£m son.. At hearty weloome, and <^m__^____W__m at a luncheon given ■■by:,hoNr_V_f&__m\ Alfred) Milner. He met, at~*W*!**PJ| the Seventh Contingent, return to Now a Mr Seddoa : -*¥>*&s»§ hospital at Johannesburg, --Wif>'!»«»»■£ his way to Pretoria, S» Potehefstroom and eaoh he had a chat i.TO;<t|»/ wounded members of -*• "'the y __£*J_il Zealand \ contingents. He =.-;*'"P*WWj*'-l-< ed along the fronfcl rf°r, sixm miles, and viewed the scene of lac way disaster to the Eighth at Machavie. At Kierkadorp, accom-), panied by Generals lan Hamilton r_y_r* V son, and Baden-Powell, he inspeoten>Wie Eighth New Zealand &mtingent,Jiwao_; at that time had just returned front £ successful "drive," and were, Pffity praised by General Hamilton.^;.Tws; happened on May 22nd, and on the ewae day Mr Seddon cabled to Sir JostJPft Ward, the Acting-Premier,' announcing tiie successful ten-ua*«*».'; of the peace negotiations whioh;weTe£*' the time prcKseeding at Vewn"gin«.jn** message read—"The South Island B»": talion of tho Tenth had better hurry up ,- or it will be too late." According to *** own accouut Mr Seddon passed '^'___^t'' : sant time at Pretoria ea. the gw*k -9* .•■ the Administrator. He hadilong mW; viows with Lord Milner Kitchener. Ho visited the El-ndsfoß-teln Hospital, where there .Were-, forty--;; niuo New Zealand patient-. Bpaw**JNfli at a banquet in Pretoria, Mr Sadden «%v pressed tho hope that the blockhouses;, AA-ould soon be turned into creameries nwl butter factories. He reooniniended ■■&*_>} South Africa should adopt New ZWandl; laws, and affirmed that the time;' "f* 9 ripe for the importation °f-^ UI, * n 'j ,, S^A ; stock. It was imperative, be added,-Wry the Empire to take measures far, si»*. protection in order to retain it» •P*J*r- nmacy in trade, which was threaten**. ■; by a greater danger than the war. v"*» preferential trade the colonies woo» bo able greatly, to «M»' lv«g- ! burdens of the Uxpayewii./JOT'. giving their trade to Great Rrmai*; On May 24th, after inspecting the Ninth Contingent at Vereeniging, he telegraphed to New Zealand some.new information to the effect that the peaoo negotiations had had ■ a satisfaotory opening, and that no farther ■■ _•*"*■!■ tingents would be required. ; On «•▼" ing Pretoria Mr Seddcn prooef-dad.toj Capetown, "arriving there on'May-Spta-'*: He was accorded a splendid reception, and was the recipient of four addressee of welcome, one being from the Ospatown Corporation. • Replying to torn" last address. Mr Seddon advocated _ tha "open door 1 ' in the colonies for British products. He was afterwards entertained by the Mayor of Capetown *»•• garden party, and at a publio luncheon, at which he said that the colonies mom help the Motherland to bear the burden;of maintaining her - supremacy *t •».'- On the afternoon of May 88t±i hs sailed for England in the Saxon, his aentWtf _ I from Capetown being desonbed «s "ittI mensely enthusi-stie." Tnree ' days later peace we* proclaimed. I