MR.SEDDON'S PREMIERSHIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13170, 7 May 1906, Page 6

MR.SEDDON'S PREMIERSHIP

AN AUSTRALIAN PRESS OPINION. Mb. Seddon's completion of his 14th year of office as Premier is an event of importance and interest outside New Zealand, (says the Sydney Morning Herald). It is a remarkable record in Australasian public life, full of changes and vicissitudes as that is. The only comparative instance that suggests itself is that of Sir John Forrest, in West Australia, but then the cases are not parallel. • Sir John held office before responsible government was obtained, and lie carried on what may be called the tradition of personal rule. In the other States, though then* have been politicians like Sit" Henry Paikes, whose aggregate terms of office made a respectable showing, there was no such continuity as Mr. Seddon lias enjoyed. Then it must be remembered that lie carried on the Ballanee rule after that Premier's decease, exchanging one post in the Caibinet for another. On many grounds his must be regarded as a remarkable career, and it certainly has not been an idle one. NewZealand has been made the theatre of a good deal of experimental legislation. At one. time it was looked upon as the experiment - ing-ground for -Australia—the place where measures and new ideas were tried before the politicians on this side would consent to consider them. New Zealand laid itself out, in the common phrase, to solve problems, and it was mainly attracted to those of a socialising nature. Mr. Seddon had the popular vote behind him, and no strong man, with the qualification of leadership to oppose him. The consequence was that he not only held office but had his own way in politics and legislation, and now after 14 years he condescends to explain himself. The explanation may not be very convincing to those who make politics a serious study, but it is at any rate quite characteristic of the man. He denies the allegation of socialism, and in the same breath he disclaims the role of Radical,. Conservative, or Liberal. He is simply a humanist, he —"A friend of humanity," like Canning's needy knife-grinder. It is a pleasing distinction, but it does not carry us much farther. It is suggestive in a way of that Anacharsis Klootz who posed under the same title be-

fore the French revolutionary convention But what, after all, is there in. a name where such matters as Mr. Seddon is identified with are concerned? It is a highsounding programmethat of aiming at improving people's conditions, placing them above want, providing for their old age, inspiring them with hope, ensuring their comfort, and raising them socially, morally, and politically. Wo recognise here echoes of the Utopian schemes which have occupied the minds of thinkers ever since they began to dream, about eliminating the competitive instinct from human nature, and turning the world into an Atlantis or an Eldorado by Act of Parliament, confiscation, anarchy, or otherwise. It is an amiable vision so long as the efforts to realise it do not bring the State to the verge of insolvency, which is always a possibility when practical politicians indulge themselves in these mental exercises, and try to give them practical application. The results are not apparent all at once. It is at the moment of test and strain that we can judge these best.' But there is one point in which Mr. Seddon's determination may be held up as an example. He aims at realising such a state of things in New Zealand that the colony will bo independent of the necessity to raise money abroad by loan. If ho can lead the way of Australasia to 'this his 14 years of Premiership will not have been spent in vain.