THE SEDDON TESTIMONIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12027, 25 July 1902, Page 4

THE SEDDON TESTIMONIAL.

On the morning of the Christchurch presentation meeting we referred to a Wellington report that Mr. Seddon would decline to receive the comparatively small amount which had been subscribed throughout the colony and would suggest that it be devoted to the erection, in the various centres, of memorials to those who had died for the in South Africa. In commenting upon this report we expressed the opinion that such a dedication would meet with the approval of the general public, but that, at the same time, the money had been raised for Mr. Sedclon personally, and although the movement had failed to arouse the hearty co-operation t>f the people at large, the amount subscribed had been heartily given and might be as heartily accepted. But at . the Christchurch gathering no allusion whatever was made to this report. Sir John Hall there publicly informed Mr. Seddon that the testimonial would be followed by a purse of sovereigns,* and Mr. Seddon, in reply, said that "something tangible" never troubled him, and that his audience knew him too well to attribute his actions to .selfish motives. Active political supporters of Mr. Seddon indignantly repudiated the report, alleging that "the wish was father to the thought." We are therefore somewhat interested to know the true inwardness of. the amazing statement lately published by neuter's Agency on what is asserted to be Mr. Seddon's authority, to the effect that there was a movement in the colony for presenting him with a sum of money, but at his request it was not proceeded with. Is Mr. Seddon going to decline the money subscribed for him, after all 1 .If he is, this seems to be a rather peculiar way of doing so.