THE NEWS IN SYDNEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13201, 12 June 1906, Page 5

THE NEWS IN SYDNEY.

CREATES A PROFOUND SENSATION,

HIS GOOD-BYE TO AUSTRALIA.

' (Received June 11. 5.5 p.m.) . . " - Sydney, June 11. Perhaps never before lias the death of a public man in Australia caused so much sensation as the death of Mr. . Seddon. He was looked upon in the Commonwealth as a man with an outlook far wider than that taken by local politicians.

Crowds gathered in. front of the newspaper offices to read the intelligence of his death. His triumphal march through Australia and his sudden end set up a contrast which vividly affected the public, mind.

Practically his last public utterance was in reply to a press interviewer, in which he said that he had not had any rest, but that he had benefited, by the change, and the generous hospitality and the kindness he had received would fortify him against adverse criticism for some time to come. He particularly wished to say that the Australian press had been very considerate to him.

In, saying good-bye to Australia Mr. Seddon said: The words ' Kia ora' and ' Aroha ' express my feelings. Australia has ever been generous to me from the day that I came hero as a youth, but God's own country should have the first place; you will quite understand that. At the same time I have a great, love for Australia and its people, and fervently hope that the sunshine of prosperity, the happiness of contentment, may ever be with the Australian people/

Everywhere flags are half-masted, and there arc general expressions of sorrow.