A REMINISCENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16558, 23 May 1914, Page 14

A REMINISCENCE.

THE RIGHT HON R. J. SEDDON.

LAYING A FOUNDATION STONE

IN TARANAKI. (By the REV B. DUDLEY.)

It was Mas 24 (Queen Victoria’s Birthday), in the year 1899, and the Right Hon R. J. Seddon had been invited to lay the foundation stone of a new Primitive Methodist Church in Stratford, Taranaki. As soon as it became known that the Premier had consented to visit the town for this purpose, the anticipated event became an everyday topic. There was special interest attaching to it from the fact that the general election of that year was speedily approaching, and that it was no great distance back, in point of time, since Mr Seddon had returned from a visit to England, where ho had taken part in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee festivities, and, therefore, might be expected to say something interesting about the trip. At least, it was conjectured that he would do so. Eventually ? the looked-for day arrived, and with it the famous Taranaki vain, which brought the sombre mackintosh and umbrella into requisition. Mr Seddon was therefore thrown almost entirely upon liis own resources that afternoon for success in creating a favourable impression. He could owe nothing to the surroundings. But he was equal to this task as he was on many another occasion. Contrary to the expectations of those most concerned in the church-building enterprise, there was a large gathering of people from the town and adjacent country districts—business men, employers and employed, townsfolk dairy farmers, youths, and “ maidens all forlorn that milked the cow with the crumpled horn.” All sorts and conditions of men and women wero present, anxious to see and hear, or to see and hear once more, the man whoso Government they intended to vote for or “agin,” and craning their necks and jostling each othor_for this purpose as amicably as could bo expected, considering the deplorable state of the skies and roads. At length, all being ready, a large number under cover and many unprotected, the genial Premier was firmly located upon the platform provided, and a galaxy of ecclesiastical gentlemen hedged him in.. One of these gentlemen made a brief introductory speech, and placed tile usual mallet in the hand extended to receive it. Then ensued what was probably ono of the happiest speeches of the kind Mr Seddon over delivered. In his opening remarks he appropriately enough eulogised the churches on the ground . of their value in the cause of civilisation, religion and morality. He had not been speaking many minutes along these lines, growing meanwhilo more and more familiar with the mallet he genuflected in the air, when lie plunged into a. racy narration of some of his trip-to-England experiences. He gave a particularly jovial, almost hysterical, character to the function, when he described himself as a statelylooking, pompous-wise participant in the Jubilee celebrations in London. “Imagine me—j-our Dick Seddon,” he said, with a twinkle in his eye, and a cliucklo, “ just fancy mo in the rig-out with which I was then, for the first time—and, I devoutly trust, the last time—in my life graced!. Your humble servant in a three-cornered liat—you know the style!—a gorgeous tunic, embroidered with gold; tight kneebreeches, buckled and splendid; yellow silk stockings, and glorious shoes; the whole scintillating in one of the handsomest carriages in creation. You’d put the last sovereign you possess in the plate to-day only to have that sight enacted before you now.” The merry and significant glanco up and down his ample figure which 4ho audience involuntarily bestowed, plainly indicated that lie had successfully appealed to their imagination. "You may guess,” lie went on. “ how glad I was to put all this sartorial magnificence aside, and, find refuge in my Kaiapois and homespun.” At this point tln*ro were interjections of "Hoar, hear!” or "Good enough!” or "Good on ye, Dick!” as fancy inspired. Proceeding, Mr Seddon said he felt lonely under the conditions just described, notwithstanding the sea of faces surging around him, " until,” said lie, with renewed enthusiasm, "wewero turning a corner, when I saw a small forest of waving arms, surmounted by flying hats or caps, and heard a chorus of cries, executed with a gusto I instantly recognised, " Hero comes our Dick! New Zealand for ever! Three cheers for King Dick! Hurrah!” Here the mallet stood for the caps and gyrated for the cheers. This, he explained, "put all loneliness at an end. for I was heartily glad to see some of my own boys again, and forgot everything else. I forgot even my adopted splendours, until—those . blessed 1 colonials laughed at me outright! at which I spread myself out, and gave them a full display. Whereupon some of the other genteel folk, you know, sitting majestically by, and looking on demurely, wondered, no doubt, at one in my honoured position bowing and hobnobbing with familiars in a street crowd. However, there’s the difference between England and Now Zealand; at all events, between them and me. I was both Sir and ' Dick,’ and thus had the advantage over them all, mighty as they undoubtedly were.’’ This put the company into the right mood for receiving tho next interesting item ho gave them, called to mind, I fancy, by the sight of a few Salvation Army bonnets and jerseys in evidence before him. It had reference to the official reception extended to General Booth in tho city of Wellington, only a connection with which he was now speaking. Mr i Seddon explained that ho had been trying on that occasion ■to say " tho right tiling,” in words of encouragement to the esteemed veteran, oxpressing his admiration of the noble work the Salvation Army was doing in all parts of the world, and stating that he had himself been personally indebted to the Army, though he did not specify in exactly what way. Here someone in the crowd brought down the roof and the skies (just then a heavy swish of renewed rain beat down upon the scene, as if in his confirmation) by crying out, "Penitont form, you bet! I rather expected the quick-witted Premier’to retort, "That’s where you fly, young fellow, if I get hold of you. But ignoring the observation, he continued: "In his speech in reply, wo found the General young enough m spirit to heartily enjoy a joke. Ana I'll tell you how he indulged in a smart ono at my expense. ‘ I’m glad, said General Booth, ‘ to hear your worthy Prime Minister say ho believes 111 our work, and has himself been benefited by it. If ever there have been times when I have had doubts of my reception in the kingdom to come, and maxed that on my arrival at the £j> tcs Peter might demand my credentia s, I have always thought I would lmmb y venture to say that I was the founc ® of tho Salvation Army, though the has ever been a feeling of uncertan y in my mind as to whether even ti ■ fact would constitute a right of enti . But now all doubt on the matter for ever banished, for Peter can *> e refuse me admittance now that i able to add that tho Army has done Mr Seddon, your Premier, some good.* ” Again the mighty jjam the statesman shook, and agai people felt that he was the man jf. port at the coming election, whi Seddon was not slow to P * i oso The speech was rounded o$ to > and the stone was well and truly . and Mr Seddon further did Ins when the collection plate wa , accident, passed in front or • Presently there ». honourable place at the tau , » fully spread m a hall "ovei‘ tlw way,

where it had been stated that those who wished could, on payment, take refreshments with " tho Right Honourable the Premier.” "With Dick!” shouted some Tom or Harry present, in response to this annour cement. An old settler, about seventy years of age, but a " lively youth ” notwithstanding, whom I knew to bo fond of distinction, whispered in my ear, “ See if I don’t get a place at the table next to MrSeddonT” "Don’t flatter yourself,” said I; "you’ll be well off if you get a place at all. Do you think these young fellows will give you the ghost of a chance?” But, sure enough, when seats .were all taken, there was tho old gentleman, sitting triumphantly on the Premier’s left, while I, who was quite indifferent to everything save a meal, for which a ride in tho saddle of eight miles had given me a keen relish, next to the old man, whoso success almost spoiled his and my own tea. How this location came about I cannot say. It was like n mirncle of circumstance. Mr Seddon, however happy on the platform he had just left, seemed uncomfortable, I thought, at this table, as if he would i-ather bo anywhere else. There was a trait in his character somewhat strikingly revealed while on our w&y to the hall. At the very beginning of the stone-laying ceremony a young parson sitting on the platform was called upon to "lead in prayer.” His petition was beoomingly short, and evidently transparent. It was, in the first place. clear that he had not long been in New Zealand, and secondly (and, as arising from this fact, pardonable, perhaps) that he held rather conflicting opinions as to Mr Seddon’s merits as a man and qualifications as a statesman. He reverently and earnestly besought the Divine blessing upon the country and upon its administrators and presently found himself offering up an invocation on behalf of the Premier himself. The plea was carefully qualified—a little too carefully to escape the notice of the subject of it—by reason of tho young minister’s want of definitely-formed opinions. "In all measures ho may support, in all things that ho may do, that are in keeping with righteousness and inspired by the spirit of goodness, and therefore for the weal of the country, may he enjoy liberal success,” the prayer went on, leaving Mr Seddon, who was always quick to grasp a situation, to think upon the margin of doubt, which he evidently thought was wide enough.

The matter did not slip Mr Seddon’s memory in the' lively speech that followed. No sooner had tho ceremony closed, and the people commenced flocking to the hall, than ho went out of his way to intercept the new-chum parson. Stepping to his side, and tapping his shoulder with sufficient emphasis, he said in a suppressed tone of voice that was- significant, “ I say, my friend, I’m very glad I’m not quite past praying for.” The young man was n little startled by this bit of sarcasm, but quietly consoled himself, on reaching the hall, in " the cup that cheers.” Nor will it be imagined by those who knew him that tho incident had anything whatever to do with the fact that the Premier was not as much at ease at the table as ho was during liis address. The minister of religion and the Minister of State eyed one another occasionally throughout the festival; but each felt that the other meant no offence ; and perhaps the young preacher’s better opinions of the Premier were by this time confirmed.