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Evening Star, Issue 10901, 8 April 1899, Page 3 (Supplement)

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leader* of a*e <apf ;jMde r they yjHfebom.:'' Th6fl» *ho tosfr §1? Bedaon in the early days a-y6rag m«B*#ct -vSiyWl, anaMth penetrating eyes (Brae, I thinks wMcfi tw* all see in those horn ;to : eoln&Mind, His, manner was ".impjessiye," and no one qonld fail bjft to 'be impressed 1» UmT W»% at; the titoesaid that he would spme day-make, his mark in politics, „ He. was then a member of the Wesfcland Conner Council, as well as a iicenied advocate to appear in the Warden's Court On behalf of mining litigants. There is, and always was, a-personal magnetism about Mr Sedddn which explains his mystery.Other men haye - it no.doubt, but not with the same charming and winsome manner to political friends and foas »like. This, it appears,, is admitted. Mr Seddon has an invincible belief in his star,- and is a man of an idea, for which "he has worked, and is working; with Intense demotion. The idea: I To be a humanitarian leader in the arena of politics? and when-the political history of New"Zealand, iswritten his name will be asgociatitiwith. measures which cannot than otherwise redound to his, searching forethought and ability. Is there at present a '. real rival "to him? Mastering the thousand anttrone intricacies of parliamentary life and procedure, under such veterans as_ Yogel, Stout, Atkinson, Fitzherbert, Hall, Grey, Whitaker, Macahdrew,. and others, he has learned the art of knowing when to strike, where to strike, and how to strike. Many are and .ihaye been .equipped with these qualities for political success, but they lack the essential one of all—the power of convincing others that they are in earnest. The earnestness of Mr Seddon is apparent to friend and foe alike, and has received, and is still .receiving, practical demonstration, which cannot fail to strengthen and solidify the popular party in the pecember campaign. The late Liberal Leader in the House of Commons,#ir William Harcourt, lacked this power of earnestness; indeed, it was often said that lie was "acting the part of the Democrat, and acting it well," hence his downfall. Mr Seddon-somewhat resembles Mr Joseph Ghamberlain, and those wishing for verification should read the speeches of the latter gentleman. It cannot be 6aid of either of these gentlemen (it was so said of a British one) as having "traded on the aspirations, of the people, wprthy and un-'-worthy alike, without true knowledge of their wants or living sympathy with thenNow the wants and aspirations of the people have been exemplified by the measures passed in Parliament through the indomitable pluck and perseverance of the Right Hon. faiPremier. It must be a task worthy of himself' to lead the members o| democratic parliaments; and ours has h|en led—indeed, always has—in favorable to our neighbors. Mr Seddon evidently knows and feels nothing compulsotyeyer works with English-speak-ing people unless it has first compelled the reason .and the conscience of the people. This, of course, lies in listening to common sense, and the right of British temper to give and take on both sides, in domestic concerns as well as politics. Our destiny can only be made and sustained by our character, and this the popular leader identifies himself with in thorough earnestness both in verve and vivacity. Public opinion moulds (or should do so) all organisations, and this aids acceptation of the judgment of independent tribunals. And this, again, is where many lose the power of persuasion and conciliation. Not so, however, Mr Seddon, who has managed to popularise conciliation with large masses of men, thus preventing the physical strife between labor and capital. Of course all politicians, like soldiers-and sailors, have to abandon their base or change their objective, thus showing-the capabilities of individuality, and many are supposed—supposed only —to contend for principles. This, however, cannot be charged against Mr Seddon, because from the incubation even of his political career he has always fought' the cause he advocated, being a further convincing proof—placed long in power by the people—that he is in earnest. Lord Onslow considered that Mr Seddon possessed all the qualifications necessary for a colonial statesman, and this is borne out not alone in New Zealand, but in England,, also. During Mr Seddon's reign his policy has been traversed with more than acrimonious and caustic severity, and very properly so too, yet it has come out of the ordeal with flying colors, because our securities now-stand higher than ever they did, and our loans are subscribed for threefold at prices, too, far and away above our neighbors'. Our local prosperity is phenomenal, and taxation not over burdensome. In a word, confidence is assured. The State buys for settlement land which in return pays 4 and 5 per cent, on the outlay after being resold, and through the public works policy the original owner gets an enhanced price. Mr Seddon thus carries out the will of the popular party, and no one suffers thereby. Nothing is confiscated. It has been aptly expressed: " The work of Mr M'Kenzie has emphatically been of a non-partisan character, for, though Le has always heen a staunch Liberal, his lano policy wasTconceived, and his department is: administered, in the interests of colonists in I general, and has conferred great benefits j upon the trading community as well as upon the settler class." Absolutely correct; but, j a fortiori, equally applicablo to Mr M'Kenzie's chief, because the whole is greater than the part. After the Agent-Generalship, a seat, no doubt, could be readily found in the British Parliament, but preference is given for remaining—to prosecute the ideal leadership of the Liberal party. In this respect there is a resemblance to Gordon. Gordon was advised to cut and run, but he wired: " How could I look the world in the face, and, as a gentleman, could you advise this course?" Now, leaders of men, whether in war or politics, accept this high sense of responsibility, and thus demonstrate their absolute devotion to duty and the cause they espouse. Let us. by ail means, have plenty. ;of platfo-m. controversy, so that, if other aspiring leaders may also pfove-tiheir earnestness. Thiers, the French publicist and statesman, once said: "I am not a Conservative, I am not a Liberal ; I am a Nationalist." Is this not equally so of Mr Seddon? Correspondence with Australia in the matter of defence, and with tariff perturbations consequent on Federated Australia, proves: "lama New Zealander first, and a Liberal afterwards." Acrid criticism is excellent for the dingy purlieus of Parliament, with its somewhat, although perhaps absolutely neces-sary,-clumsy machinery, yet Mr Seddon has, barring a few "pin pricks," come out of the wordy -war of words triumphantly. This ft admitted, as it should be, by his political enemies. Is it decently fair, even, in an educated democracy such as ours, to charge him with pandering to, and leading along also, a posse mobilitatis?—-the mob. Should this mob (sic) dwindle into a minority what will be the position of the new Leader of the House? With whom will he associate himself for colleagues ? The Left Wing will increase, and, being unmuzzled, will press their own peculiar sociologistic problems, causing perhaps a reaction for further expansion. This would be a strangely ironical situation; but stranger things have happened in politics. The present Liberal; party and their Leader, however, are not yet politically bankrupt,

and no doubt both will remain potent parliamentary forces. What more probable than the twentieth centurv should find Mr Seddon still leading the Liberal party, with .1 good Otmosition helping him to continue the colony's prosperity. 1899 commenced with a Sunday, and there is an old legend that the following twelve months will always go well when the year commences in this manner. Heartily does one wish so, also politically. December next will decide. If the. Liberal party have a-eteadfast heart they will march forward, with "the drums and fife's of a brave temper and the flags of a strong faith, to victory. Whether for good or evil, the people have demanded these progressive reforms; and his indomitable phick while sitting on the front Ministerial bench or at the committee table all those weary hours, warding off, the subtle attacks of the Opposition, should stamp the man who has won their battles as a phenomenal leader and worthy of further'trial,, and the people s confidence to finish gigantic reforms that have been inaugurated by iim>elf. Aristotle's "axiom was "that commerce was incompatible with that .'dignified life which it was ' our wish our counteyinen should lead, and > that generous elevation of mind with whien ' jt is oup ambition to inspire-them." Plato.

to exclude Mr.. tolWW**,? but the-votes of ! tf»c(>. can alone decide fh»flf fob. L