HONOURED DEAD

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 151, 28 June 1915, Page 4

HONOURED DEAD

THE SEDDON STATUE UNVEILED TRIBUTES FROM THE LIVING GLOWING EULOGIES. ! Though the rain fell continuously [ and. tho weather conditions were altogether unpleasant, there were between one and. two thousand people present at the unveiling of the national monument to the late Right Hon. E. J. Seddon on Saturday. The monument stands, centrally situated, in the Parliamentary grounds. The imposing bronze figure was draped, with 'a Union Jack and a New Zealand flag. Around the base of the massive granite pedestal a platform was erected, and there were seats about for members of Parliament and other distinguished visitors. Upon the platform were His Excellency the Earl of Liverpool and the Countess of Liverpool, the Prime Minister ,(the Eight Hon. W. F. Massey), Mrs' and Miss Massey, .Sir Joseph Ward and Lady Ward, members of the Ministry, Mr. Colvin, M.P., tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) and Mrs. Luke, Mrs. K. J, Seddon, Captain Seddon, Mr. T. Y. Seddon, M.P., and other members of the deceased statesman's family. The Tramways Band was in attendance, and played the National Anthem. The first speaker was the Ma-yor (Mr. J. P. Luke), who said that the late Mr. Seddon had for a great many years worked among _ the people of the Dominion, I and by his character and purpose had risen to the highest position it was possible to attain in this Dominion. His work not only as « citizen but as a statesman showed that he was a man whose aim. was the uplifting of the people, and his -legislation was for the purpose of improving humanity and making the. world better than he found it. The late Richard John Seddon was honoured throughout the British Empire. The Mayor also paid a tribute to Mrs. Seddon, remarking that had it not. been for his helpmate the late Mr. Seddon would never have been able to carry out his great work. He then invited His Excellency to unveil the statue. HIS EXCELLENCY'S SPEECH. His Excellency said that he could not speak of Mr. Seddon personally; but he had seen him at the late Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and had recognised him then as one of those forcible characters that impress themselves upon the young mind. The Empire and domiuions had sent their best and worthiest representatives to do honour to their Queen, and there, was none more forcible or who enforced himself upon the British public on that occasion more than Mr. Seddon. (Applause.) As an observer, he would perhaps compare Mr. Seddon to the younger Pitt— forcible in character, a strong debater, with absolute determination, great industry — but as regards physique, Mr. Seddon was the better of Pitt. It was to Pitt that England looked for advice to carry her through the great war of those times ; but he was also a fond husband, an affectionate father, and a faithful friend, and, if His Excellency mistook not, this was one of the great traits that had stood by Mr. Seddon. His Excellency would leave much more that could be said to the two gentlemen who were to follow him, but he would like to add that when a deceased statesman was so honoured it was apparent that he had left his mark not only on the institutions of the country, but also in the hearts of the people. (Applause.) "I think it is a source of great pride," he concluded, "to be able to come here today and unveil a statue of the great man who, as Prime Minister for thirteen years, has left an indelible mark upon these islands." (Applause.) His Excellency then pulled the flags aside, exposing the imposing bronze statue, and, while' they stood bareheaded, the public looked upon a tall, J imposing, confident figure, standing over them in a well-known characteristic attitude. Cheers ■ also were given. WABM AND SINCERE TRIBUTE. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister (Mr. W. R Massey) also made a speech very fitting to the occasion. His tribute to the statesman to whom he was politically opposed, was a warm and sincere one. He said he deemed it a, privilege to be able to take part in the unveiling of a statue to the memory of a great man and a great Imperialist. During the late Mr. Seddon's time the Dominion had made wonderful progress in trade, commerce, production, export, and all the factors that make for the prosperity of a country. They all knew that the late Mr. Seddon led Parliament m passing humanitarian legislation — legislation that would stand for all time for the benefit of the people of this country. They remembered him not so much by this fact, however, as by the point referred to by His Excellency— the attitude he took when war was declared between Great Britain and.South Africa. They all recognised that 4iad Germany felt that her fleet was strong enough in 1899 to enable her to land troops in any British x possession, ,or Britain itself, she would have struck at that time. There was no hesitation on the part of Mr. Seddon. He knew exactly what was the duty of New Zealand, and took tho earliest opportunity of asking Parliament— and his proposal was carried by an overwhelming nu- : jonty— for permission to send away what was now called an Expeditionary Force to assist the British troops in the franevaal, and tho New Zeajand troops took part in that three years' war which led up to an honourable peace. Like every political leader, continued Mr. Massey, Mr. Seddon had his political opponents and ho (Mr. Massey) was one of them, but they all respected him because there was nothing small or petty about him— because he could give hard knocks and take hard knocks, and come up smiling every time. (Applause). "I knew him in his triumph," added Mr. Massey, "I knew him when adversities overtook him. Ho was always a strong, courageous, masterful man, who never knew when he was defeated." In concluding, Mr. Massey added that the late Mr. Seddon was a typical Briton in every sense of the word, with a strong love for his country and confidence in the future of tho Empire. His career was a proof of what could be clone in a young country such as this by the qualities he po&sessed — pluck, grit, courage— and he (Mr. Mussey) hoped that for many centuries to como his life would act as an incentive to all young men to follow his example, and leave the country better than they tound it. ('Warm applause.) A MAN FROM THE PEOPLE. Sir Joseph Ward was received with cheers. "We are taking pan in a ceremony commemorative of the caieer of the most remarkable man in the history of this young country," ho said. (Cheers.) Mr. Redrlon was one ot thnse men, wlio, starting life in humble position, had worked out his own destiny, j who«o advance in life was due entirely to his own exertions, and without the of influences of an unusual hind : and he attained the highest position which the people of this country could confer upon him. and held it for llifintctn jour. (App)lausc>.) In Ui© fyyp of pflvnrnlty in public |ifi? he triumphed, and he triumphed because

he was always filled with a determination to overcome all difficulties — and he did overcome them. Physically, there was not a man in the House who could look at himj mentally, he stood head and shoulders above his compeers. (Cheers and applause ) When he became Prime Minister there were few who believed that he would reign long, and it was a tribute to his character that though during the first three years he met with tremendous opposition both outside and inside the House, at the end of that time he had woven into his warm affection many of those who had believed he was going to be a failure. He was a man of action at all times. He was tho first statesman in any part of the British Empire to recognise the importance of showing to the world that tho Empire was one in, all things, and that w& could do this by assistance to strike a> blow in the war in South Africa. (Applause.) He was the first to grasp the position, and the first to act on it, and the first to start the movement for the 'consolidation of the British Empire. He took p^rt in an Imperial Council at a time when there were few people in the Mother Country who caw the value of the overseas possessions, but the history of the short period since the Council showed that from that time started the real advance of Empire construction. We should not forget also the enormous value of the work he did in the Pacific. If his advice had been accepted, the Hawaiian Islands would never have passed" under Ihe control of another flag than the British ; if Jae had been consulted the Gerjians would never have obtained Samoa. (Applause.) It was to his foresight that our other Island possessions in the Pacific came under our control; and it was not to the discredit of many to say that there was a good deal of deriding of what he believed to be a proper thing to do. The .humanitarian side of the_ great nature 'of Mr. Seddon was shown in what he had done for old age pensioners. (Applause.) There was no man in politics to-day — it was not derogatory to anyone to cay it — who had the creative faculty to the same extent \as the late statesman. Sir Joseph Ward said that he was in England at the time of Jilr. Seddon's death. It caused a considerable sensation amongst those who took an interest in Empire .affaias, and no higher tribute could be paid to him than what was said of him in some of the great London journals. As a close personal friend and political associate of the deceased, Sir Joseph Ward thought he may be allowed to touch — may he say reverently — upon the human side of his life, on that sturdy courage and warm affection which all admired. Some traits of his character were too sacred to be mentioned beyond the sanctity of the home, but his domestic life was among the most beautiful the speaker had ever known, and the love of those nearest and dearest to him was shared by the hundreds who were admitted to his family circle. The monument would stand as a reminder of a devoted public servant, who laid down his life in the service of the people, and as an in spiration to themselves and to future generations to push on in tluit path which he followed wi£h such devotion and high aspirations and such conspicuous success. A wreath presented by Mr. Seddon's old constituency of Westland was placed upon the foot of the statue by Mr. Colvin, M.P.