SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13202, 13 June 1906, Page 6

SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCE.

MOTION BY THE HARBOUR BOARD. When the Harbour .Boaid met yesterday the chairman - (the Hon. E. Milehelson) • said -lie had received a cablegram • on Monday morning from Mr. Seddon: "All .■well, will reach Auckland by the 06westry Orange on Thursday morning." He (Mr/ Mitchelson), when that cable was received by him, little thought that- in the course of a few hours another cable would be received announcing the sudden death at sea- of the Premier, a man •who--as. a -statesman had never had an equal in Now Zealand or Australia. He (the speaker)- had the pleasure of his acquaintance and friendship for 25 yearn, and sat in Parliament with him for 15 years, and although as a Minister and as a member they had many political differences, they always remained firm personal friends. Mr. Sod don's loss as a man and as ' a statesman would be felt throughout the Empire. He was a man full of energy and determination,, and endowed with such great and rare natural ability that seldom fell to the lot of man. His place would indeed be hard to till. He (Mr. Mitchelson) had the pleasure on one occasion of visiting the late Mr. Seddon and his family in their home at Kumara, when he was simply the member for Kumara. The family and homely life they lived and the affection one to the other ' was an object lesson to him. He had since, on. several occasions', visited them at -their, home in Wellington, after Mr. Seddon's accession to the Premiership, and the same simple life that characterised their Kumara home was visible. Mr. Seddon used his great ability for the betterment of mankind, and although he had now passed away his name would not be forgotten, but. ever remembered as one who had done more for humanity and New Zealand than any other statesman who preceded him. They must feel that his loss would be felt not only in New Zealand,; but throughout the civilised world, and their deepest sympathy was with those he had left behind to mourn his loss.

Mr. Mitchelson then moved : " That this i meeting of the Auckland Harbour Hoard i deeply regrets the loss the Empire and J the colony of New Zealand has sustained by the sudden death of its greatest statesman—the Right Honourable Richard John Seddon, Prime Minister of New Zealand —• and offers its heartfelt sympathy and condolence ,to his widow , and family in this their, hour of great trial and affliction, and that this resolution, conveying our sorrow and sympathy, be forwarded by the chairman to Mrs. Seddon." The motion was seconded by Mr. S. C. Brown, and carried unanimously. THE FRENCH CONSUL. In reply to a telegram from M. R. Boeufve, French Consul in New Zealand., to the Acting-Premier (the Hon. W. HallJones), expressing . ids 'deepest sorrow, at the death of Mr. Seddon, and . his heartfelt sympathy with the people and Government of New Zealand at their irreparable loss, the following reply , has been received:—"l have to thank you for your kind message of sympathy and condolence in the irreparable loss we have sustained in- the death of our loved and honoured Premier. His life was a devotion to duty and the uplifting of humanity." ' AUCKLAND'S SYMPATHY. The following letter has been sent to Wellington, . addressed to Mrs. Seddon by the Deputy (Mr. C. D. Grey):—"it is with deep'sorrow that I now, on behalf of the people of Auckland, convey to you the ] following expression of sympathy with yourself and your family in the sad loss which you; have sustained in the dea of your late dear husband / and father. We had called a meeting to arrange for a fitting welcome Home to you all after your visit to Australia, and on Monday morning, when his last message from Sydney>■' All well' .arrived, we looked forward to a happy and .pleasant reunion cm the. arrival; but when, "later on, we heard that it was indeed ' all well' with him, but inexpressibly sad for you, your family, and the people whom lie loved, and for whom he did so much, thepurpose of our meeting was changed, and, after many spontaneous tnoutes of affection, esteem,, and love had been uttered in simple but : sorrowful words by • both men and women present, the grief of the people, of Auckland was expressed in the iotlowing resolution (as already published). I need only add. that the people keenly feel their loss as that of a personal friend, and the universal prayer is offered that the Father of all in His great love an sympathy will comfort and sustain you: and yours in this hour of your bereavement.—l am, etc., C. D. Grey, -Mayor."

ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY. In opening the annual meeting of St. Andrew's Society of Auckland at the Federal Hall hist evening,' Mr.' Murdoch McLean, who occupied the cliair, said he desire' to call the. .attention of members of the society to the great lots that New Zealand had sustained in the death of the Right Hon. It. J. Seddon. " While many of them were opposed to Mr. Seddon in politics," vet none of them but could admire the man. "All deeply regretted the great, loss the country had sustained.. At- the close of t ho meeting, it was decided to send a letter of condolence to Mrs. Seddon and the family, and then the piper played "The Lament," members standing rrie;rvwhik>. At there-, quest of the president, proceedings were terminated without the singing of the customary " Aiikl Lang Syne. ' NO-LICENSE CONVENTION. At the Auckland. Provincial No-license Convention the following resolution was unanimously ; carried in silence, the members all standing—"That this Convention resolves that, while many of its members have on occasions differed 'from the late Premier, ;;it has learned of his sudden decease with sincere regret. That the Convention herewith tenders to Mrs. Seddon and her family its most respectful sympathy in, the terrible affliction. which has come upon her and them, and, in common with all sections of the community, earnestly prays that her great grief and that of her children, may be assuaged by the Giver of all Comfort." AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY. At a meeting of the Auckland Presbytery yesterday afternoon, the following resolution of sympathy and condolence was passed, the members standing meanwhile: ".The Presbytery expresses sincere regret at the sudden and severe loss sustained by the ; colony in the death of the Right Honourable the Premier. Mr. Seddon was a. man of great power and influence in fill that pertained to the welfare of his adopted country, and it is fitting that, we should mourn with those that mourn the loss of New Zealand's renowned and most prominent citizen., The Presbytery views with satisfaction the. good that has been accomplished by the deceased in the legislation that 1 has proved a blessing to the poor and the suffering, and a source of ►comfort and confidence to the sons of toil. ■ A man of great natural -ability, and possessed of the fact and; knowledge that made him a successful leader of men, he enjoyed throughout his political career the increasing confidence ot the great majority of the people, and he eagerly and persistently strove to promote their well-being. Education found in him a staunch friend, and facilities.- are now within the reach of the poorest to become thoroughly equipped for any sphere in life, and the widespread and deep mourning tells how large a. place lie had in the hearts of. the people. The Pres- : bytery expresses its sincere sympathy with the bereaved • relatives .'of the departed, and prayerfully commends them , to the Fatherly care and support of the God of oil comfort tad consolation''.

EPSOM ROAD BOARD. At a meeting of the Epsom Road Board last night the chairman (Mr. W. R. BloomhciU) made reference to the Premier's death. He said, although personally lie had been associated with organisations that had been opposed to the Government, he was pleased to lie able to say that he was able to appreciate the great loss that Mr. Seddon's death had been to the colony. His death took place apparently when he had reached the apex of his greatness, and at a t ime when all party rancour "was at rest. Mr. Bloomfield then moved, "That the Board expresses its regret at the great loss the colony has sustained in the death of the Premier, and it conveys its deepest sympathy to Mrs. Sea- , don and her family in their great loss. Jhe motion was carried unanimously.

THE ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY. : Speaking at; the monthly meeting of the council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Societv last evening, the president (Mr. F. Earl) said that since last meeting a tragedy of national importance had befallen the colony in the untimely and wholly unexpected death of the Premier. Mr. Ear said that whatever were the political opinions of individuals all would unite in deeply deploring the passing away of a great man, a great leader of men. and one whose services to the colony had been of incalculable value. The colony had suffered an irreparable loss, and he felt the council would welcome the motion he proposed to- move. It was then resolved, " That this council do place on record their sense of the irreparable loss the colony has sustained by the death of its foremost citizen, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon." MESSAGES FROM WAIHT. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Waihi, Tuesday. Mr. Donaldson, president of the Wailii branch of . the Liberal and Labour Federation of New Zealand, lias forwarded the following telegram to Mr. W. J. Culver (president), Wellington"Convey to the bereaved relations WaihiVdeepest sorrow at the irreparable loss sustained by t.ie nation. Its greatest and most honoured statesman has fallen asleep. At. a meeting of the Rechabites Lodge last night it was resolved to send a telegram of condolence. . . .... Mr. Max D. King has given notice ot his intention to move at the next meeting of the Liberal and Labour Federation, " hat Parliament be asked to vote the sum of £20,000 to Mrs. Seddon as a token of the Treat- services rendered by her late distinguished husband, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, Prime Minister of New Zealand.

THE ACTING-PREMIER. [BY telegraph. —-TRRSS ASSOCIATION'.] Hokitika, Tuesday. The Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Acting-Pre- ! mier, telegraphed to the Mayor and county I chairman, as follows —I thank you for your telegram of sympathy. The mourning will \be universal for lie irreparable loss of New Zealand's great statesman, and one who devoted his lib; to the welfare of the Empire, the land of his adoption, and humanity. SIR JOSEPH WARD. [iIY TI'LI'GR.M'II. — I'RKSS ASSOCIATION.] v Hokitika, Tuesday. Sir Joseph Ward cabled as follows from London to the Mayor of Hokitika: —"The hearts of the people of New Zealand are saddened by the removal of the representative of Wesilaud from the control of the colony's public affairs. The Empire, whose interests - - were ever uppermost in his mind, will feel the loss, of Mr. Seddon's powerful advocacy of its welfare. Among those who will miss his great public figure most will his steadfast friends of Westlaiul. The miners have lost- a. true friend and champion, and all classes will join me in tendering his wife and family their deepest possible sympathy. • ' MESSAGE FROM' MRS. SEDDON. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] V Wellington, Tuesday. The Acting-Premier states:—"Mrs. Seddon requests me to convey her grateful thanks for the many sympathetic messages which have reached her from New Zealand friends. She will reply to them personally on her return home, but for the present she is too overwhelmed with grief to be able to do so. Miss Seddon and other members of the family now in Wellington wish me to thank the people for their 'expressions of sympathy with them in their bereavement."

MESSAGES FROM. MANY QUARTERS/ [BT ; TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Tuesday. Messages of sympathy have been received jby the Acting-Premier from the following:— The citizens of Levuka. Fiji. The Federal, Houlder, and Shire Steamship Companies. The Premier of Natal. The Mayor of Brisbane. The Speaker of the South Australian Legislative Assembly. Leichhardt (New South Wales) Borough Council. New South Wales Rugby Union. Ternora and Ballarat Borough Councils. In addition to the message of condolence received by the Governor, the Acting-Pre-mier received similar messages from the Premiers of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia. Tasmania, West Australia, and Cape Colony from the Mayors of South Brisbane, Bendigo, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney. Ballarat. Perth, Broken Hill, Port- Adelaide, Boulder (West Australia), and Cass: also from presidents of various public institutions in Australia. It is estimated that the. nurnbei of messages of condolence received by the Acting-Premier exceeds a thousand. CABLEGRAM* FROM THE HIGH COMMISSIONER. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION ' Wellington, Tuesday. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, High Commissioner, cables from London: . "I am desired by Lord Onslow to convey to Mrs. Seddon his deep regret at Mr. Seddon's death.'' Cabling; on bis own behalf, -Mr. Reeves says, '• 1. need not say with what deep sorrow I have received the news of the death of our old friend and. chief. ' He died as ho lived, like a brave • man, not sparing himself, and working to the last." The chairman of the Manchester Ship Canal lias cabled to the Acting-Premier: "The chairman and directors of the Manchester Ship Canal tender sincere condolences with ■ New , Zealand's people and with Mrs. Seddon and her family in their irreparable loss."

OTHER CONDOLENCES. [iSV TKLEGEAPH.IT.KSS ASSOCIATION.] Chiustchurch, Tuesday. At a meeting of the Cliristchurch Presbytery to-day the following motion was carried: " That this Presbytery deplores the loss which the colony lias sustained by the death of the late Premier, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon. and expresses its sympathy with Mrs. Seddon and family in their sudden bereavement, and prays that they may in their sorrow be, comforted by the (iod of all comfort." The following motion was adopted at a meeting of Adding ton workshops men: " That this meeting of * Addington work'shops' employees desires to express heartfelt grief at the.great loss which the colony has stained in the • death of the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon. As railway, men we have lost a true friend, as citizens we feel we have lost the greatest citizen and democrat this country has. ever had. His loss will be irreparable, and to his sorrowing family our hearts now go out. and we trust that, they may be enabled to bear up under their greatest- tribulation." . Dunedin, Tuesday. The Anglican Diocesan Standing '0111mittee has passed a, resolution regretting the Premier's death, and it was resolved to refer to the,event in Llie churches ■ noil Sunday.

- Dcnkuln", Tuesday. The Council of Churches adjourned its sitting last night after carrying the following , resolution, on the motion of the Rev. Mr. Saunders: "That the Council _of Churches in Dunedin, having learned with in the demise of Mr. - Seckloo, the Premier desire to express profound sympathy with Mrs. Seddon and family,' V and assure them of its heartfelt prayer that they may ;be comforted by God and strengthened by Him to bear -their exceeding great grief." . . -■

MESSAGES FROM Till-: NATIVES. .. . A large " number of additional messages of sympathy from natives in various parts 'of ..the - colony were received yesterday by. the Hon. J. Carroll, Native Minister : — . ; The Hon. MaJiflta telegraphed as follows from Huntly :—" O, Timi; greetings to thee, the reflection of our old man who has departed from-us into the idght. Great is the love, the sorrow, and the lamentation of the heart at his loss. • What can be said?' ■ The greatest man must bow to ' Atua,' who gathers in all the chiefs of the. earth.—(Signed) M'ahtjta." Other messages received were as follows : — " Farewell, 0 our Premier, ever generous to your Maori people. Depart, O our father, and may your Lord provide lor you.-—(Signed) Akurangj, Ngatingakohere." " Great is the sorrow at the death of our Premier. Depart, father. Farewell.— (Signed) P. Tamaho, Rawiri." "This is a message of loving condolence from his Maori people of - ■ gapuhi. To Rarawa, and Te Aupouri tribes in regard to their great and beloved father, Mr. Seddon. Farewell, 0 father of our Maori people. Depart to join our greatly-be loved mother, Queen Victoria. Farewell; 0 While Crane of one flight—the Great Forest of Tane. Farewell to thee, the father of the Maori race and of the European race also. Depart, and leave your peoples" here (lamenting). . To-day we exhaust our minds in recollecting the occasions upon which you stood forth in the various ma me kaingas of your Maori people throughout the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Convey also our expressions of sympathy and condolence to the widow and orphans in their bereavement, to Mrs. Seddon and hei* family.—(Signed) '• aviana and eleven others." :

"Greetings to you, 0 Ministers of the Government, the companions of the historical 'Taniwha,' who has withdrawn from his lair. Farewell, father, the one of maria and the feared, the pa of shelter and of .defence, the storehouse of the words of the nations of the earth. —(Signed) Tarana Mari:mai«j, chairman Ktirahaupo Council, Bulls." .

Natives much grieved at the Hon. Seddon's untimely death/. We recognise in him the true friend of all. Kindly convey to Mrs. Seddon and family our deep sympathy in their end bereavement, and national loss.—Natives (per John Ormsby), Otorolumga." . "To hon. Members:-Greeting in the name of Mr Seddon. Farewell father.-: Depart to join our late Gracious Queen. Exceeding great is the sorrow of us, the women, at your loss, because of your many generous actions. —(Signed, on behalf of. the Ngapuhi Women's Committee) Mauav.a Wr. Ho\t;i, and three others.'"dvai-. kohe."

/"Herewith accept/ the condolences' forwarded with the deepest lamentations and. sorrow of our hearts, because of the loss of your father arid our - father, who has , left us. The totara tree has fallen in our great forest of 'Tane.' We deplore the death'of,. a. great man, the earth trembles with the,, shock. Convey my deepest sympathy. the widow-and her family. Greetings ,tothee, 0 mother, in the well-springs; ! of love. Here the tears are flowing at the less of our father, ever considerate and loving towards our Maori people, great aiid small. Farewell. —(Signed) liiaia . Ht''L'ana, Waipawa." . "Great is the sorrow of the heart, because of the death of our father, who has. departed from amomrst us. Farewell, father depart, our Father has called thee.—(Signed) Ti-.on Racatini, Little River." ' .;/

"-Please convey to Mrs. Seddon, family, and colleagues, heartfelt sympathy, of" the Maori people of Wairarapa. Though,..the. Premier has passed away, the memoir; of himself and the good work -lie lias dyne, will Inst for all. time. Depart inopencQiv. Thou who wert ever the leader of tlmitftpe/; the ever wakeful sentinel, he . wlioi -as; steersman, was beloved of each:' and "'both races, who are now side by side' occupying' one and the same canoe in the journey "towards the future across the ocean of peace and love.Henari-: Parata, Greytoivii." All Government offices closed yesterday, and they will be closed on the day of Mr. •Seddon's funeral. ' There is a great shortage of flowers' in Wellington, and several Auckland floral firms have been requested to "'assist in meeting the , demand for , material for wreaths for Mr. Seddon's funeral. I

A number of the .shop windows : in. .-.the city linvo bee;; draped with black, as a mark of respect to the memory of the. lata Premier.

The New Zealand Rugby Union are asking all affiliated unions to postpone fixtures arranged for next Saturday. The following message of sympathy lias, been sent on behalf of the Auckland Sailors' Home Council to thV Hon. W. Hall-Jones. Acting-Premier, Wellington-: — "The Auckland Sailors' Home Council.desire to express their profound sorrow in the calamity that has befallen our colony through the death of the Right Hon. . R. J. Seddon. Our colony has lost its greatest Prime Minister, our nation has lost a. great and patriotic statesman. We beg to express our heartfelt sympathy with Mrs. Seddon and familv in their sad bereavement.—(Signed) Herbert Peakk, President." :

In the Weekly News, issued to-daj, will he found l a capital full-page portrait of the late Mr. Seddon, which is published :»n a special supplement to the number. The picture is eminently suitable for framing, and should be treasured by all as a memento of the great statesman. The News also contains a la.r-.re number of views dealing with the life and career of the late Premier,

PERSONAL TRIBUTES. MR. JUSTICE EDWARDS. ... ' A warm tribute to the late Mr. Seddon was paid by His Honor Mr. Justice! Edwards at the Auckland' Supreme Court yesterday morning. His Honor, who- was much moved, said: "When this Court adjourned yesterday we had the first tidings, as yet unconfirmed, of the death of our greatest citizen. The Court'-was, then sitting in camera., And for this reason, I 'and until we surely knew that that great man indeed was dead, the time did not seem opportune for saying even a little rf what I knew was in the heart of every, person,, who heard that sad news, and, indeed/' for : myself my heart was too full to give utterance to mv feelings. In this Court; we know not- politics; we know not parties. But it cannot be amiss, even from the judgment seat of the .highest tribunal of the land he loved, to give some poor expression of the deep grief with which the people mourn the death of Richard John Seddon. We mourn not the- Premier, of our land, not the leader of a party, not the ..successful politician, but the great patriot, the man who with all his strength of mind and bo-'tv has, given his days and his nights for now so many years to what lie believed to be the ■ advancement of; this land and this people. Tho "burden which he bore , was too great to allow of a long life, and he nas ..died beneath a weight greater than man co'dcl bear. But he has died as lie wouul have wished to die, in the plenitude of his power, with his heart full of great schemes for the good of the people whom he loved, and with his name enshrined for ever in their hearts. The great labourer i.: at rest. May lie rest - in'-peace. And may the consciousness of the love in wti'ch his memory is held in the hearts , of the people for whom he laboured a.id -whom ho loved so well, in some dog'-M mitigate the bitterness of their loss to those who were nearest and dearest to him." His Honor stood to deliver his remarks, and those jweseMi. followed his example.

- MR. T. E. TAYLOR. [BT TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] Cimi.sTi.HimcH, Tuesday. " There is no man in New Zealand more sorry than I run,'' declared Mr. 'J'. E. : Taylor to a Pre.'-'-- reporter when lie heard of , J,lf. Seddon's- death, and the chord of. sin- , j eerity ' rang true in his voice. " It.- would be the veriest hypocrisy for me to say that I admired -Mr. Seddon's administration, but we are talking of the man, and I did admire, the nfan. The outstanding feature or. his career was his dramatic success. He was incomparably the ablest man who has ever touched New Zealand politics, and his per' sistency was'like death itself. Apart from politics the striking feature of Mr. Seddon's career was the absolute biameleksness of his private life. >It was irreproachable, ami. could not- be assailed." -. MR. DAVEY, M.H.R. ~/ .1 [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN' COSRKSI'O.VUHNT.] CiniisTcnuitcH, Tuesday. 1 Mr. T. H. Davey, M.H.R., after expressing the grief which he felt at the sad news which had reached them, said the first time lie met Mr. SeddoH was at Waiiganui 24 vcars ago, when lie was introduced to him by the late Mr. Ballauce. One. outstanding .feature of Mr Seddon's character was his love of home life,, and his ocep affection for all the members of his family. When at home, at his own fireside.-ho' was quite like a. boy, romping and playing with ins children. Another strong trait in the dead Premier s character was the fact that he never forgot an old friend. PRESIDENT OF THE DUNEDIN LAW ; SOCIETY. [l»y jKAJ.'H.—OWN CO It 11 li I'ONOENT. J Dunkdin". Tuesday. Mr. J.. E. . M. Eraser (president of the Law Society), when the news was ; jc-eived at a meeting of the Licensing Committee, said: "As president of the Law Society of the province, and on behalf of the Bar, permit me to express our deep regret at the passing of so great a man. Mr. Sed- ; don's memory will ever live green in the i minds of the people of this colony. In that [.opinion: all classes will unite, whatever political views they may have. It must be apparent to all that we have lost the r '-vices "of -.the most noble statesman ' outside of • England in His Majesty's dominions. ' SIR JOHN HALL. [BY TELEGRAPH. —I'BE.«S , ASSOCIATION.] . On iustchurcu, Tuesday. At a meeting of the City Council Sir John Hall, Mayor of Christ-church, and exPremier, made touching reference to his associations with Mr. Seddon in the past. Ho, said: " The character and great services of Mr. Seddon are known from end to end of the colony, and arc part of its history. It is familiar to everyone how, by his own energy, character, talent, and un- • flagging (industry, he raised himself to" tiie highest position which any colonist can occupy, and'how long lie lias occupied that position. It was my fortune to know Mr. Seddon before lie entered the general public life of the colony. We sat together in the first County Council of West-land, and ho at once distinguished himself by his practical ability and his perfect information with regard to all goldrields questions'. -We met again -in 1879, when he entered the New Zealand Parliament. We were in decided opposition,- but 1. never had to complain of anything unfair from him. -Subsequently, - by his own great energy, industry. ;ami talents, ho has occupied a position which-we may truh say has been attained by .no other . man in the., Australasian colonies. It litis been my lot to see much of, the public , men of New Zealand, but I have never known one who had a more extraordinary grasp of almost every public question affecting the colony. He had intense faith in the capabilities and great destiny of New Zealand, and was very determined by every means in his power to give it a great position. A distinguishing feature in Mr. Seddon's character" was his intense Imperialism, his pride in our membership of a great Empire, and a belief in our duty to share in its duties and responsibilities as veil as its power. It is a pleasant reflection to me now that on many occasions he bore testimony to the fact', as I do now. that, though politically in opposition, this never interfered with our private friendship. However "some of us may differ, we shall all agree til at... .New Zealand is greatly and irreparably''the poorer for the heavy : blow which has fallen upon' us. I now move': 'That this Council desires to express its profound sorrow at t.he death of the Right Hon R. J. 'Seddon, Premier of the colony, as well as its sincere appreciation of the great aud valuable services 'he has rendered to the colony during his long and • distinguished

career.' " ' Y 7 The motion was carried, the members standing in silence. Tt Was further resolved: "That the Council also d"sire> to convey to the familv of the. late Mr. Seddon its profound and heartfelt sympathy in'the great- and irreparable loss which has fallen upon them."

OPINIONS OF THE" PRESS. j OTAGO DAILY TIMES. ■ [BY T FX KGRA-T'H. —OWN COBRKSI 'O'KD 15 NT ] J)fN'i:inN. Monday. Referring to Mr. Seddon's death, the Otago Daily Time* says -. . There have been, Premiers and Ministers in the colony who unquestionably have. been in different respects superior to Mr. Seddon, but none amongst them ever secured even temporarily such a. marvellous hold as- for a long period of years Mr. Seddon maintained upon the confidence, esteem, and affection of the public of the colony. He was in the habit of describing himself as the instrument by which the will of the people- was translated into legislative action, and it- is certain that lie gauged with rare success the popular, feeling of the moment. Indelible as is, the mark which he imprint-.: ed on the pages of New Zealand history, - it may be'doubted whether his fame will not be almost as lasting in Imperial history, for we question if the signal service rendered to the cause of Imperialism by the spirited support which he offered and furnished to the British Government during the period of the Boer war will ever be allowed to be forgotten. He had his faults, like other men, but was a patriot as "well as a far-seeing statesman, and in Great Britain, South Africa, and Australia, his premature death will cause profound regret." LYTTEI.TON TIMES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESI'OXJttKXT.] Chiustcui fich, Tuesday. ; ;The Lyttelton Times, in the course of a warm appreciation of Mr. Seddon, says:-— "No- single statesman had rendered such i services to. his country, had guided its desti- | nies so long, or had associated his name so 1 completely with the story of its progress, and he had refused, titles, and had put aside J the temptations oi wealth, preferring to end his career as he had begun it, a man of the people. , If, as they say, it is given to a man on the point of- death to review in a flash of thought the sum of .his actions on earth, Mr. Seddon might surely have died satisfied that lie, had done his duly to his country. After a life so full, possessing as lie" did abundant assurance of the happiness he had brought, to thousands of souls, he can have had no inclination to cry with the pessimist, * What hath a mail of all his labour and of the vexat-ure of his heart.'" CHRISTCHURCH PRESS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORK ES i'ON DENT. ] '. Chexstchcbch, Tuesday. The Press pays an unstinted tribute to the forceful diameter and talents of . the dead -Premier. 1 "Not only New Zealand, but the Empire, is the loser to-dav for the -loss of a truly great man. Tried by any standard, he will pass the test, and history will undoubtedly enroll him among the number of English leaders who have exerted a powerful intfuene- upon public affairs, and have assisted in moulding me destiny ot the British people. His life's story is a romance—a striking example «.t what may lx: accomplished by a self-made man. He"was emphatically a strong man--strong

in physique, in determination, aid m mentill grasp. Lie was quick as well as strong. A.s years went on ;he profited -.by 'experience and' bis knowledge- of Parliamentary procedure. : his art in managing men. and his grass])- of public affairs t became the,,vender: and admiration of his opponents, as well as of his friends. He was .a' strenuous opponent, and at times a rough fighter, but there was a strain of. large mindedness about him. which won the regard of - his antagonists, even when they were disposed to be most angry with him."

NEW ZEALAND TIMES. [.BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COHRKSt'OXBBKT. ] Wellington*, Tuesday. ■ The New Zealand Times says: "That Mr. St-ddon will.live in our history through alt time might almost go without saying. It is more difficult for Us ;.t tile present moment to say for what'qualities or - ieve-' menus he will be held in remembrance. Probably, were his own wishes' consulted, he wouiu prefer to live in the memory ot his fellow men its a leader in humanitarian State movements. He was no doubt great arid notable in this aspect of his cnaracter, but it is probable that,his place ii history ■will be that of a strong, aggressive Imperialist, strong in devotion to racial purity and Imperial solidarity; aggressive in relation to encroachments of foreign ; Powers, whether these were territorial or commercial. In any history of political progress, the work done during Mr. don's 15 years' Premiership must bulk very largely. Mr. Sod don's death is an Imperial, as well as a national, loss, and, a loss to the use of democratic progress the world over."

WELLINGTON POST. [BY TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION-.] • Wellington, Tuesday. Referring to the political achievements of the deceased Premier the Poet says: — "It: is hard indeed to imagine that Mr. Seddon's reputation could . ever have attained a. higher pinnacle tlvm that .on which it was placed by the wonderful victory with which he swept the polls of this colony in December last, -and the stamp of the world's recognition may be said to have • been placed upon him in Australia. The courage, the resource, the persistence, the perception of what is good for the people, arid of what they believe is good for themselvesall these qualities were displayed by Mr. Seddon in promoting these measures to an extraordinary" degree, and we need not wait for posterity to appraise them." '

AUSTRALIA NEWSPAPERS. By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright. Melbourne, June 12. The Argus, in a leading article on Mr. Seddon, says ..there is great tragedy and pathos in the .sudden termination in' the life of Mr. Seddon, and a statesman of British reputation and Imperial standing at the age of 61 .years. Mr. Seddon had reached a secure position in the confidence of his fellow colonists. The vigour of his light for power whs over ; the bitterness of ■his early combats was forgotten, and his judgment.had mellowed and softened, and he was becoming a strong conservative force, because he no longer felt it necessary to yield to clamour or to outrun his own judgment to gain support from extremists. With his strong dominating personality withdrawn, there ' may be much political' turmoil and strife awaiting New Zealand. SruNJiY, June 12. The Sydney Daily, Telegraph, in its first leader this morning, says:—"The remark of the. Premier of New South Wales that, the news of Mr. Seddon's death came as a public shock in no way overstates the profound impression which the' return of the Oswestry Grange with her. mournful freight yesterday made upon the people of Australia. Up till Sunday, when he left ; this country for his own, 'Mr. Seddon had figured during the few busy weeks of his visit here as a hale man, as robust and vigorous physically as lie had always been politically. His" final day here was spent with characteristic activity, yet the 1 outward signals of Sunday morning sped him on his last journey, and in a few hours he was.dead, apparently through the sturdy body's inability to continue longer the ceaseless strenuous struggle which it had waged so long.'•'•". Death loves a shining- mark,- a signal blow, and such a mark . and such a blow it' achieved in striking down with dramatic''suddenness' the most notable Australasian statesman of his time. As Premier of longest standing, and of the most prosperous 'of these countries, '.and as a leader whose unique experience -it had been to "see his following, enlarged at every appeal to the people, his political record was incomparable." ~ The Sydney Morning Herald, in its leader, says: "A great citizen of the Empire, and the foremost spokesman of Greater, Britain ■ has passed away. The vacant place left by the death of Mr. Seddon will create a notable gap, not only in the public life of New Zealand, but in that of Australia and far beyond "its confines. He was a strenuous, forceful figure in his day and generation. He believed with enthusiastic and whole-hearted faith in lib own province of the Empire, and in the life of the Imperial system,- as a whole, he played no inconspicuous part,''

The Age, referring to the death of Mr. Seddon, says:—"To write to-day that Mr. Seddon is dead is to say that in the midst of the busiest part of his life came his death. The. last month of his life, perhaps, lias been a pageant of his successes. A man of his calibre' cannot come and go as other men. do. A Labour member shouted to him on Friday last: 'Yon are the greatest figure in the British Empire.' That perhaps was a- daring flight, but, he certainly stood out" (in the Australasian horizon' as very much distinguished amongst his peers. For him there was no rest or cessation of activity or peace. ' He lived a life that would have tried a young and vigorous man. There is no doubt that Mr. Seddon was compacted of qualities that go to make great men. He wielded the destinies of New Zealand with a, facility that showed him a born ruler. No other New Zealand Premier stands even a. poor second to him in the breadth of outlook and the capacity of seeing before and after. Had his lot been cast, in the Prime Ministership of the'lmperial circle lie would probably have been as distinguished there as he was in Australasian politics. He has earned the noblest of tributes for a life's noble work, done nobly, he has fallen with the shouts of his many ovations still in his ears. 'After life's fitful fever he sleeps well.' But New Zealand will mourn a friend j and father, who lias tenderly watched over "her and loved her. as he was loved in return. Amongst many farewell telegrams j that Mr. Seddon sent to Melbourne from Sydney l>e.fore embarking on Sunday evening was one to Mr. Bent, which contained words which proved to be .prophetic: — ' Leaving to-night for God's own country.' We have since, we hope, heard of Ins arrival there." Adelaide, Juno 12. The Register, in a leading article, refers to Mr. Seddon as one of the most remarkable men who have borne their part in .the political arena of Australasia. He was alike mentally and physically, and a man of extraordinary individuality and courage. •He always, as by happy intuition, realised when the psychological moment had arrived. REPLY TO AUSTRALIAN MESSAGES. [BY TKLEGR.U'H. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]. Wellington', Tuesday. The Acting-Premier has cabled to the ; Australian, press as follows:-"On behalf [of the people of New Zealand I thank ; Australian friends, for their many kind I messages', of sympathy in our great- and ! irreparable loss caused by the death of the Right Hon. R.J. Seddon. The hospitality and courtesy extended to him during his recent visit was appreciated by this colony, and his last work was intended ;to draw closer together the people of Australia and New Zealand. This country has lost a great and good man, Australia has lost- a sincere friend.'' « MR, SEDDON'S BIRTHDAY. A committee- of Wellington friends and supporters had arranged to give him a monster birthday 'party in the Town Hall 011 the '22nd, and a handsome casket was to have *jeen presented to him us ;p, souvenir of the occasion. He had been 40 years in the colon jr.