HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES..

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12532, 29 June 1906, Page 8

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES..

TntmsDAY, June 28. The House met at 2.30 p.m. and adjourned to the Legislative Council Chamber, heard the Governor's spaoch road, and then returned. GENERAL. Messrs Rutherford, Mander, Wood *nd E. G. Allen wero sworn m. Mr MILLAR gave notice that ho rould next day move th© Address-in-Reply. Mr HALL-JONES gave notice of motion for leavo of absence for th© remainder of tho session to Sir Joseph Ward; and Messrs Fowlds. McNab and Aitken. Notice wns given of tbe introduction of tho Expiring Laws Continuance Bill. THE LATE MR SEDDON. Mr HALIi-JONES asked leavo of the House to move a motion without notice, and leave having been granted, expressed his sense ot tho mournful duty incumbent on him of asking tho House to express its regret at the death of the lato Premier and its appreciation of his great servic:'.--. In the presence of death, said Mr Hall-Jones, all animosities were hushed, and all men were met on common ground. The colony mourned not only a great statesman, but a friend, and Ministers had lost a beloved colleague. This was not tho timo for appraising the work of the lato Prime Minister, whoso namo was linked with numerous great measures and points of Imperial policy. In oil his reforms the lato Mr Seddon was actuated by a sincere desire to improve tho lot of humanity. In 1866 he came to the West Coast of the South Island. Alter three yea is his natural inclination drew him into politics, and his first offico was a membership of the Arahura Road Board. He went from offic-3 to office, until in 1878 ho was made chairman of the County Council, and in 1879 the Houso first felt tho forco of his great personality. In 1352 ho was elected for the district of Kumara, and represented the electorate till the day of his death. In 1891 he assumed Ministerial rank ns Minister of _ Public Works, and became Prime Minister in 1893. Any reference to his career in that capacity must bo a reference to tbe history of New Zealand. He had been absent on special missions in 1897 and 1902, and on both occasions had distinguished himself by the breadth, loftiness, and practical character of his views. Only the other day wo were wondering "at his extraordinary triumphs throughout Australia, and then came- the announcement that he was "Starting for God's own country — words which, alas, proved prophetic. His success had been great. lie bad risen from the ranks without influence or help of any kind—simply by his indomitable con rage. untiring industry, multiplicity of resource, and phenomenal endurance. Whe-n tbe historian of tbe future came tt. write of the great statesman who died so suddenly out on tbe ocean. 1:™ would do such justice to bis preat ehnractor as we. his contemporaries, could hardly imagine—great as our appreciation was of his va< sorvir***. Imperial, ccVinial. social, and humanitarian. Mr HallJonos then moved a resolution in the aatno terms ns that which was carried in the Legist-it iye Council. Mr MASBEY, in seconding the motion, referred to tho many losses Parliament had sustained by death during tho recess, anion tbe rest, that of the late Premier, which tbe public of the colony the greatest .shock it bad ever experienced. He dwelt en tbe suddenness of that death in the

moment of triumph, and in the midst ] of labour. The late Mr Seddon, he said, liad become so associated with the business ot the Chamber that tbe absence of his stalwart form could hardly be • realised. He had differed noin the late Right hen. gentleman, but he had no hesitation in saying that lie liad left his mark on the legislation ct tl:e country, and in expressing his admiration fcr his. high character, his energy, and other great qualities, he heartily endorsed what had fallen from the Premier about the verdict of tho future historian. Ho contende<l that timo would assuredly add to the late Mr Seddon's great, tame. In concluding he tendered bus heartfelt sympathy to tho bereaved widow and family. Mr CARROLL spoke of the universal mourning for the great man who was gone, dwelt on the sorrow ot every section of tho people of New Zealand, sketched the career of the lato Premier 11 om the lowest to tlie high est positions, pointed to the tributes to his memory that flowed from the base to the apex of tho social structure, as proof of the enormous and touching versatility of the man. Speaking ior | the native race, he spoke of tht; late Premier as the strong arm that had upheld them, the shield that had protected them ; he was the sheltering rata tree, tlio strong champion. He was, moreover a great example to tho people ai> lather, husband, worker, and statesman, and whose personality would be found stamped on the hearts of li:k oo 11 n try mc n. His strong voice had thundered of Imperial unity; lie stood out on the sky line of politics—a great figure, a forward -statesman, a st-rivor fur human benefit, a striking personality, the apostle of Imperial unity. Mr "Carroll concluded with the "farewell, tlio long farewell" of his race to Richard John Seddon. Mr R. McKIvNZIE testified to tiro great grief of the people among whom the late Premier had lived for forty years, which naturally was greater than that of the nation. To have enjoyed tho friendship of Richard John. Seddon wn.s a privilege and an honour. Ho (Mr MixKenzie) had been associated with his career from the first election, when he won tlie confidence- of his people, which he had retained to the last. He had justified that confidence by doing more for humanity than any man had ever compressed into the somo space of time. His many great, qualities they all knew—his courage, hio lovo of children, his devotion to duty, bus sagacity, his human shrewdness. Of all the eulogiures that had been written the ono that appealed to him tlie mcst was the Rev. Air Fairclough's tribute, which had appeared in the "Outlook." The bulk of this Mr McKenzi© read for the House. Mr W. FRASER said ho was grateful for the opportunity afforded him of saying a few words. He spoke of tho years that had gone past increasing the respect lie had for the dead statesman. His experience on tho Assets Realisation Beard, on which the lato Premier bad a seat with him, qualified him to declare solemnly that tho 6ole motive of the late Right hon. gentleman, at every turn, had been the interest of tho colony, and tho cause of justice. He, moreover, had never attempted in any way to over-ride or thwart the void fc of his colleagues. Ho deplored that tho Right lion, gentleman had not lived to see the culminating success of his- banking policy, in the complete freedom of the Bank of New Zealand from all liability regarding tho Assets Board. Ho took tho opportunity of referring to his vast courage, of which his decisive interference some years ago in tho affairs of tho bank was a strong instance. This courage it was which, together with his other great qualities, had mado him successful as a statesman. A great personality had passed away. Ho tendered his deepest sympathy to his sorrowing relatives. SIR WILLIAM STEWARD, as tho father of the Houso, voiced its deep feeling of sorrow, and its appreciation of tho splendid services rendered to New Zealand and the Empire by the great man who is gono. Ho felt that whatever ho could say of Richard Seddon must be miserably inadequate. Ho could but say that among' tho illustrious men who had gone from us to the silent land, Richard John Seddon had the highest place. He had died in harness. Thero was no doubt that tho strain imposed on our political loaders was excessive; ho denounced it as almost a species of suicide. Ho hoped that the House would do all in its power to obviate such losses as the last. Cut off in tho very zenith of his wonderful career, wearing the highest honours in human power to bestow, he had crossed the narrow line, carrying tho blessings of the poor as well as tho plaudits of multitudes. Sorrow ho had left behind, and that, unhappily, was the lot of his nearest and dearest. 'To him death has opened the gate of famo and closed tho door of envy," ho quoted, in conclusion, from Bacon, and sat down, like the previous speakers, in solemn silence. The resolution was passed silently. OTHER CONDOLENCES. Mr HALL-JONES referred to the other losses sustained during the recess, referring first to tho late Mr Job Vile. Ho eulogised his character, sketched. his career since ho had gone into tho Wairarapa, where he had won most of the honours of local government, spoke of his entry into Parliamentary life, and expressed the general sorrow at his untimely death. He camo next to the late Captain Kenny— the Crimean veteran, who had died full of glory and honours. Thirdly, there was tho Hon. Mr Pinkerton—once wellknown and liked in tho House, subsequently a useful member of tho Council, and a prominent Liberal leader. His Parliamentary career dated from 1890, and of late years he had served on the Otago Harbour Board. Mr Hall-Jones concluded by moving the resolution passed by the Legislative Council.

Mb .MASSEY seconded tho motion. He "poke of Mr Vile as one of tho straLghtCLst and mcst con ?oien.tiou.s men who ever sat in the House; —one who ruled his lifo by principle, and brought to his work tho most intimate knowledge of the wants and wishes of the farming community. Ho could never forget the impressive scene of a certain famous Saturday night, when Mr Vile refused to work after midnight. Ho endorsed all that had been said about Captain Kenny and Mr Pinkerton, characterising the latter in specially warm terms.

Mr STEVENS said he could not let '■ the occasion pass without adding his testimony, especially with respect to . hi.-, predecessor in the Manawatu seat, j Mr Vile. Though differing from that gentleman, he must express his high regard and personal esteem for Mr Vile. The passing away of that good, truo settler had sadly marred his own victory at the hustings. He added his "commiseration to that of the House for the relatives of the late , member for Manawatu. I

Air LA WRY spoke of the pure de- I mocracy. high ideals, and simple lifo ; of tho*late Mr Pinkerton. j

Mr TANNER traced his political beginning, and_ Mr Pinkf>rton's. both to the great crisis of IS9O. Many had regaided the advent of tho Labour party then as the obtrusion of a dangerous element. Those doleful anticipations had been falsified. No man had exhibited during that critical time such sagacity nnd moderation as David Pinkerton. To him was largely due the success of the new departure, and tho respect accorded to the Labour party. Mr MILLAR said that not only in Labour matters was David Pinkerton great, but in all other matters he was entitled to large respect. He joined the Houso in tendering his sympathy to the family of the grand democrat whose loss they were deploring. THE NEW MINISTRY. Mr HALL-JONES announced to tho

House the personnel of the new Government as gazetted. Mr MASSEY promised him the utmost support in nis power. Mr HALL-JONES thanked the Leader of the Opposition on behalf of the Government. The House adjourned at 4.30 p.m. to i p.m. next day.