A MONEY TESTIMONIAL A PRECEDENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4595, 25 February 1902, Page 4

A MONEY TESTIMONIAL A PRECEDENT.

Sensible inquirers may not unreasonably ask whether, among the broader liberties enjoyed by communities on this side of our planet, it is necessary to bo guided by precedents which mark the history of the Mother Country. In this hemisphere it is admitted that the Austral States largely make their own precedents, take their own course, and lead the way for older countries to follow, as in old age pensions, Conciliation and Arbitration Boards, improved land laws, and other social and economical advances. Nevertheless,'if precedent were really required in the matter of the Seddon testimonial (about which much has appeared in the columns of a few Opposition newspapers which permit and support atrabilious correspondents in venting attacks on the movement) such precedent is to be found. Not to mention the “people’s tribute” which was agitated for in honour of Mr Disraeli, or the public testimonial of a valuable estate presented to the late Prince Bismarck, there is the great testimonial which was presented to Richard Cobden in recognition of his services to the people of the United Kingdom. It was acknowledged that Cobden had, in the corn law agitation, rendered Valuable services to tho people, and it was felt at the close of the long campaign tho nation owed him some substantial token of gratitude and admiration for those sacrifices.” No sooner was the idea of such a tribute started than liberal contributions cams from all quarters, and a sum of £BO,OOO was collected for Mr Cobden’s benefit." With a part of this gift he purchased tho small property of Dunford, on which ho was born. So says Mr Morley in his jubilee edition of the life of Cobden. Certain prophets of evil and of error have, for eight or nine years past, been prophesying the downfall of the Seddon Ministry; and now, while compelled to acknowledge that all parties in colonial politics have concurred in the project of at this time recognising tho unquestionable services Mr Seddon has rendered for the Empire and for Imperial unity, there are persistent efforts made in one or two quarters to belittle the movement, and throw over it the wet blanket of tentative disapproval. Chagrin on the part of the false prophets of the past is too apparent. They cloak their opposition under the guise of an unwilling admission of Mr Seddon’s services in the Empire’s cause ‘ surpassing those of any other Premier in the Greater Britain. Really, the desire of these sour\ critics is to discredit and, if possible, render abortive the expense of a money testimonial so generally and widely approved in the various centres. Surely this is carrying the spleen of disappointed antagonism, daily displayed in certain, quarters, to a point that loads to defeat of the object sought, causing a natural revulsion of feeling even among strong political opponents.

There have been references to lack of precedents for a monetary testimonial to a public man. The case dited of Cobden—to compare a small with a large community—is a case in point, beyond which there seems no need to go. There is an absolute parallel in every particular save that Mr Seddon holds office—as Bismarck and other recipients of monetary testimonials also did—whereas Cobden was a private member of Parliament. It is possible that Mr Seddon might wish to acquire, for sentimental reasons, the old parish school at Eccleston, in Lancashire, with the adjoining residence, in which he was born, rather than an estate in New Zealand.

and thus complete the parallel tvifth Cobdon. We have formerly pointed oat that various committees have erred in announcing that they proposed presenting a monetary testimonial, without first consulting the Premier and ascertaining whether such a gift would bo acceptable to him. Wo repeat that it is the duty of these committees to “hark back’’ and put themselves and the popular movement in order by ascertaining the mind of Mr Soddon in the matter. It is not to ho supposed that oven this would satisfy tho jaundiced opponents of the project. That is a matter of no moment; but it is important that the movement be put on a satisfactory basis, and we trust that, as tho result of correspondence between the different committees, tho course we have indicated will be followed.