The Seddon Grant

Hastings Standard, Volume X, Issue 5305, 18 September 1906, Page 3

The Seddon Grant

The Christchurch Express (edited by Mr T. E. Taylor, ex-M.H.R,) thus comments on the cabled report of the London Daily Telegraph's statement that the late Mr Seddon had left only JE2OO to his family:—"Such 1 inventions should be discouraged. If an authoritativo statement as to the financial position of the lats Premier's estate were published, the last of such childish rumours as that propagated by the Daily Telegraph would soon be heard. The sworn value of Mr Seddon's estate as shown for probate purposes was about £II,OOO (eleven thousand pounds). It is generally understood that in addition to this sum, investments made in the name of various members of his family are worth today somewhere in the neighbourhood of twenty thousand pounds. Mr Seddon's sons and daughters are drawing collectively about eight or nine hundred pounds a year from the Treasury. For a sturdy democrat the late Premier has done wonderfully well, seeing the disadvantages he laboured under. This talk about public subscription for the benefit of his family and Tar--5 liamentary grants to guard them from I any fear of poverty is a reflection upon : R. J. Seddon. • He would wish the people and * Parliament to be leminded that he accepted the national purse containing several thousands of pounds as a reward for the patriotic services he rendered the Empire during the Boer war, because, to use his own words, "He believed public men =hould themselves make provision for their families, and not leave them to the generosity of Parliament." That he carried out his opinions in | this matter is now well known. None of Mr Seddon's family require State or private charity, and his family and friends should make thii clear, with a view to stopping such silly chatter as the Daily Telegraph had been mating London people to.