HONOURING THE DEAD

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2499, 28 June 1915, Page 9

HONOURING THE DEAD

HT. HON. R. J. SEDDON

UNVEILING OF A STATUE

TRIBUTES TO HIS MEMORY

The statuo of tie late Eight Hon. E. J. Seddon, erected in Parliament House Grounds, was unveiled, by His Excellency the Governor on Saturday afternoon. Tho weather was unspeakably bad, a fact which no doubt reduced the attendance of the public at the cei'emi.ny .About 1500 people were present. The statue is of bronze on a granite plinth. The figure is in a declamatory attitude, and the likoness of tho features to those of the man in life is a striking one. Tho Mayor, Mr. J. IJ.1 J . Luke, invited His Excellency the Governor to perform the act of unveiling tho statue. His Indelible Mark. His Excellency said that it was somewhat difficult for him to express, much as he should like to do, at the unveiling sentiments appropriate to the occasion, a unique occasion for Nctv Zealand. They wero to do honour to a man vho had left his mark not only in New Zealand, but on the whole British Empire. He could not speak of personal intercourse with the late Jlr. Seddon, but having seen Mr. Seddon at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, it had seemed to him that Mr. Seddon's was one of those forceful characters that impressed themselves on a young mind. As an observer, not as a man who know the late Mr. Seddon, he would compare him to that greatest of aU British statesman—the younger Pitt. There were many points in which Mr. Seddon was very like Pitt. In force of character, strength in debate, absolute determination, great industry, the two were alike, but of course ni physique Mr. Seddon had great advantage over Pitt, who was always a very delicato man. There was this further resemblance between them: Pitt was an affectionate husband and father, and a strong and fast friend, and these were, he believed, among Mr. Seddon's great traits. Mr. Seddon had also one quality which appealed toi Englishmen all over the world—an absolute and firm belief that what he did for his fellow countrymen was for the best. In affairs political or otherwise men had their differences, but all would allow that Mr. Seddon had tried to do his best for his fellow countrymen. This monument to Mt. Seddon, raised near to the scene where his great tasks . weTe achieved, would show that he had left his mark not only on the institutions, but also in the hearts of the people "Ladies and gentlemen," His Excellency concluded, you and I are going through a time of stress now. The whole Empire is touched not indirectly, but directly, by this terrible war, and I believe that if this statesman, whose statu? we are going to unveil was hero he would be of good cheer, because— sreat Imperialist as he was, the man who first offered New Zealand contingents to the Empire—{applause)—he would feel that this war is bringing together the nations of the Empire in a way nothing else ever would or ever will do. And I think he also would be proud of what Nsw Zealand is doing, and proud that one of his family, the member for Westland, is going to tako his stand in the ranks of tho contingents to fight alongside the .forces of tho Empire. ... I think it should bo a great source of pride to us all to be able to come hero to-day to the unveiling of tho statuo of a man who, as Primo Minister for 13 years of this Dominion, has left such an indelible mark on. everything in theso islands." The statue was unveiled amid cheers. Mr. Masseyls Tribute. The Kt. Hon. W. F. Massey (Prime Minister) said he considered it a great privilege to take a part, though a 6inall part, in the unveiling of. a monument to a great man and a great Imperialist. "We all know," he 6aid, "that during Mr. Seddon's time as Prime Minister, this country made satisfactory progress—l may say wonderful progress—in trade and commerce, in production, in exports, and all the factors that make for the prosperity of a country. We all know that Mr. Seddon led this Parliament and this country in placing humanitarian legislation on the Statute Book, legislation which I have no doubt will stand for all timfc for the benefit of tho people of this country. But we remember Sir. Seddon not 60 much by these things as by the point referred to by. His Excellency, the position he took up when, war was declared between Britain and South Africa. We all recognise today—we have tho best of reasons for knowing—that had Germany felt that her fleet was strong enough in 1899 to land troops in South Africa or any other British possessions, or perhaps even in Britain, Germany would have struck at that time. Fortunately the opportunity was not taken. But we know there was no hesitation on the part of Mr. Seddon as to what we should do. He knew exactly the duty of the colonies, and ho took the opportunity of asking Parliament to send what we now call an expeditionary force to assist the British troops in the Transvaal. And there was no hesitation on the part of Parliament. The proposal was carried by an overwhelming majority, and our troops took part, an honourable part—l might even say a prominent part in that great war which dragged out for three years, and which at length ended in an honourable peace. • "Foeman Worthy of Our Steel." "It is quite true that Mr. Seddon, as every strong man must have, had his political opponents, but though he had his opponents, .and I was one of them, we respccted him; we respected the man because we knew there ivas nothing small or petty in his composition. He was a foeman worthy of our steel, one who could give hard knocks and take hard knocks and come up smiling. I knew him in his triumphs, I knew ihiim when occasionally reverses overtook him, but he was always the' same strong, courageous, masterful, persevering man jyho never knew when he was defeated. This monument which is being unveiled this afternoon will serve not only to perpetuate iiis memory, but will stand as a proof that Mr. Seddon was respected by the public men of this country inside and outside of Parliament. Mr. Seddon was a typical Briton, with, a strong love for and belief in his country, and a strong confidence in the future of the Empire. His career is proof of what may be done in a young country by a man with the qualities he possessed, the qualities of pluck, grit, courage, and perseverance, and I hope that for many centuries to come this monument will stand as an inspiration and an incentive to the young men of this land to follow the examr>le of the I?ight Honourable Richard John Seddon, who spent all his energies in tho endeavour to leave this country better than ho found it." (Applause and cheers.) A Great Imperialist. Sir Joseph Ward said they wore taking part in a ceremony commemorative of a man remarkable in tho history of tihis young and great country, a man who began life in a humble position, who worked out his own'destiny, who attained by liis own exertions the highest position within the power of the people to confer upon him. He was a man large in every way. Physically there was not a mail in the House to compare with him, and mentally ho stood head and shoulders above his compeers in Parliament. .Sir Joseph Ward referred to the Imperialistic spirit of Air. Seddon, saying that ho was tho first to see the need for the oversea Dominions to show the whole world, at tilio time of the South. African War, that the Empire was united. Indeed it nas perhaps not tuo much to say that in the Empire Councils Mr. Seddon did more than any oilier man to build up a strong Empire consolidation. Especially had Mr. Seddon urged upon the Imperial authorities to enter upon a vigorous policy of Tmpwia.l extension in tho Pacific. Had liis advice been taken tho Hawaiian Islands and Samoa would never have passed under tilio Hag of any foreign nation. Sir Joseph Ward paid tho highest tribute to Jlr. Seddon for his strong humarilarinn sentiments as expressed in his legislation, and also for his personal and domestic virtues. Tho monument would stand as a reminder to the people of a devoted public servant. New Zealand was better and happier for the work and life of Richard John Seddon. and Hhe Empire more united, more virile, and more, powerful. (Applause and cheers.) After the ceremony a number of wreaths from friends in Wellington and other parts of New Zealand worn laid at tha base of the status