RICHARD JOHN SEDDON.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 11 June 1926, Page 5

RICHARD JOHN SEDDON.

ONE OF EMPIRE’S GREAT MEN. (BY TELEGRAPH —PREBB ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, June 10. On the twentieth anniversary of the death of Richard John Seddon, a gathering of his friends and admirers took place this morning at the foot of his statue in Parliament grounds. There was a large attendance, including the late Mr. Seddon’s relatives, members of Parliament, and many friends, especially West Coasters, old and young. In the* course of a short address inviting the Hon. R. McKenzie to lay a wreath on the monument, Mr. J. J. McGrath said that for twenty years since the death of the late Mr. Seddon his friends and admirers had assembled to show their admiration and respect [for his memory. . The speaker apologised for the unavoidable absence of Sir Joseph Ward (who had cabled from Sydney) and Sir James Carroll.

The Hon. R. McKenzie said they had met again to mark their respect to the memory of Richard John Seddon, and also to show their appreciation of the magnificent work he did for the people of this country. For many years to, come Mr. Seddon would he remembered as one of the great men of the Empire His heart was always with the working classes and with the poorer sections of the community, and his aim was to improve their conditions. If Mr. Seddon had clone nothing else than pass the Old Age Pensions Act, which had been copied by many other countries, he would have left a great record behind him, but lie was responsible also for passing many other statutes of a. humanitarian nature. The speaker briefly sketched the life of Mr. Seddon, and .spoke of the firm affection which always existed be_ tween him and the old West Coasters. Sir R. McKenzie then laid a wreath at the foot of the monument.