THE SORROWING WIDOW.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1107, 19 May 1893, Page 35

THE SORROWING WIDOW.

TO TjIE EDITOR. Sir,—-The loss wo have ao reoently bus* tained is amply shown by the universal regret from one end of this Colony to the J other, from other colonies and at Home. We I oaa without the sink oi contradiction say >

that no man's dsparture in our time on our own shore has caused such widespread and ainoere regret. It was gratifying to hear at Friday's memorial meeting suoh genuine sympathy expressed. The addresses of Mr Duthie and Dootor Newman, two of the late Premier's political foes, did them the greatest honour, and, if it is possible, they have raised themselves in the estimation of the people ; they are made of that material whioh all thorough John Bulla ever admire. I well remember when the lamented John Ballanoe and John Dot hie pulled in the same politioal boat, but which became a wreck on some, to me, unknown rook, located in or near Wanganui. But it is extremely giatifying to see that the old friendship existed up to the last. The present Premier's address was touching, a'.id just that which was expected. We could all see that he had a difficult task to perform ; the warm feeling for his departed colleague was made manifest to all observers. His references to the sorrowing widow did him great credit, and it is on account of this sorrowing lady that I venture to pen these remarks. Whether her late husband would have accepted a title or not had he been opared-to guide the Ship of State on a long voyage we oaunot say. My o«?n opinion is that he would not. That is no reason why Her Most Gracious Majesty should not be advised to confer on the sorrowing widow some mark of her special favour for the services rendered by him she 1b left to mourn. I feel confident that such a distinction would be hailed with extreme satisfaction by all her subjects, not only on thi3 side of the line, but by thousands in the land of the late Premier's birth. This generation of New Zealanders will entertain a very watm admiration for Mrs Ballance. Her devoted. ness to him now gone is well known. Had John Baliance lived on to, say, the allotted age, be -would have soared high above any colonial statesman of our time. Hard - working, far • seeing, ever anxious to do that which he conceived to

be of the greatest good to hii feilow-man, the colonists will do something worthy of them, and it remains for our good Queen to do just one aot to show us that she appre ciates, even in this distant land, real mtrit. If the services rendered by John Baliance do not justify the extension of the Royal favour to bis widow it will be difficult to conceive what one man is expeoted to accomplish to enable suoh favours to be bestowed. This hint, I sincerely hope, will result in further action by those in whose hands suoh matters rest.—l am, &c., E.B,