A PEOPLE'S TRIBUTE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 143, 18 June 1906, Page 4

A PEOPLE'S TRIBUTE.

« A week ago, in advocating a national memorial to the late Premier, to be erected by publin subscription, wo ventured to predict* ihat'tli&re would be an extraordinary response. We feel assured that if a Central Memorial Committee of 'representative citizens is formed and simply intimates its readiness to receive subscriptions it will hare llt'tlo need to institute any very active or eneTgetic canvass. Never before has any public man in this country, however great his abilities or distinguished his services, figured so largely in the public imagination. When at! successive general elections lie swept the polls with increasing majorities, it was clear to all observers that it was the personal not less than the political element that swayed the country. "Dick" was not only the leader of a. large and well-organised pßrty of decided political views — he gained tho enthusiastic support of the crowds who had practically no political ideas at all. He was alike the idol of the woman votter and the hero of the average schoolboy. In this respect he stood nlone in the history of the colony, and it is his personal dominance over the thoughts of the people, many of whoih seem to have made him tilie absolute keeper of their political conscience — rather than his achievements as a public man— that has made his sudden call such a shock to the community. Of the genuineness of the general expressions of grief at the loss the country has sustained and of sympathy with the bereaved family and friends there can bo no question — they havo come impartially from political supporters and opponents alike. But the proposed momorial, suitable _ form it may take, will give these feelings form and substance, and place them on permanent record. It is, however, a first ossential that the official element should be rigidly excluclod. Tho public is able t6 deal adequately with the project — if it were not, nothing of the kind should bo attempted. Nothing is more hollow and unsatisfactory than a' movement of this description seeking or accepting support v from tho public purse. The effect is this; that tho indifferent are mulctod against their will and the genorous contribute twice over, and the one really significant element,- spontaneity, is lost. All ranks and both races havo given expression to their feelings, representative bodies from the least to tho greatest havo joined with them, and this week tho country will lay the remains of its Premier to rest with every sign of honour that it can "bestow, and with genuino mourning. And we feel suro that after this, when tho opportunity is given to erect a memorial that Shall serve to remind future generations of the place that Mr. Seddon held in the esteem of His contemporaries, tho response throughout the length and breadth of tho land will bo worthy of the man and of tho country.