A GREAT LEADER

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 218, 11 June 1929, Page 10

A GREAT LEADER

4 TRIBUTES TO MEMORY OF MR. SEDDON “He led, others followed.” This was said by the Prime Minister (Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) of the late Richard John Seddon, Prime Minister of New Zealand for thirteen years from 1893, and of whose death yesterday was the twenty-third anniversary. In the morning a wreath was placed on the Seddon statue in the Parliament grounds on behalf of Mrs. Seddon and family, while later further wreaths were added by the Prime Minister, members of Cabinet and Parliament, and by friends. Among those present were the Minister of Labour and Transport (Hon. W. A. Veitch), the Minister of Native Affairs (Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata), the Minister of Health (Hon. A. J. Stallworthy), the Attorney-General (Hon. T. K. Sidey), the Chairman of Committees of the House of Representatives (Mr. S. G. Smith), the Leader'of the Labour Party (Mr. H. E. Holland, M.P.), Messrs. J. McCombs, P. Fraser, and R. McKeen, M.P.’s, Mr. F. Dyer (representing the Seddon family), Mr. F. D. Thomson (permanent head of the Prime Minister’s Department), and Mr. C. A. Jeffrey (private secretary to the Prime Minister). In addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that for him to attempt to portray the life of Mr. Seddon was unnecessary. As Prime Minister, Mr. Seddon served for a record period. He was powerful—a -man who devoted his life almost exclusively to the representation of the masses. By those who had been intimately associated with ’ him his memory would a ays be cherished. He would be remembered as a man who was devoted to the work he had in hand. Mr. Seddon was an Imperialist, and he had helped to create between the Mother Country and the overseas possessions a strong feeling of close association. The speaker concluded by stating that in ask. ing those present to pay floral tribute to the memory of Mr. Seddon he had done so on behalf of the people of New Zealand, who revered and respected the departed statesman. “Mr. Seddon was one of New Zealand’s greatest sons,” said Mr. H. E. Holland, M.P. ■- The best tribute that could be paid to the memory of Mr. Seddon was to endeavour to build on the democratic foundations laid by him and those associated with him. His work was, after all, the work of a pioneer, and the building of the superstructure was the task of those who came after him. As long as the history of New Zealand lived the memory of Mr. Seddon would remain. Later, Sir Joseph Ward called personally on Mrs. Seddon and paid his respects.