PRESENTATION TO THE PREMIER.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4607, 11 March 1902, Page 5

PRESENTATION TO THE PREMIER.

PKESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, March 10. At a well-attended meeting of the Seddon Memorial Committee a letter was rend from the Wellington Executive suggesting that the Christchurch committee should, act as a central committee, as it was thought that the whole concern should bo centralised in Christchurch. A drait of tho address suggested by tho Wellington committee was forwarded with tho sugestion that as far as possible it should be adopted throughout tho colony, aud that signatures should he obtained from all quarters and hound up iu tho same album with the address. The address, which it was stated had already been adopted by Wellington, Auckland aud other places iu the North Island, was accepted by tho Christchurch committee. Mr J. H. W. Uru wrote stating that arrangements were being made to obtain subscriptions from all the Maoris in the South Island. Tho money is to he senl to Kaiapohia Pa. The intention was that the Maoris should join in tho presentation to the Premier when ho was in Christchurch. AUCKLAND, March 10. At a meeting to-night it was decided that tho farewell to the Premier should take place on March 19th, after the departure of the Ninth Contingent. Tho farewell address is to be presented at an open air meeting. The subscriptions collected will go to the national fund aud will be sent to Christchurch. Mr Myers stated that as a result of a canvass of a few friends he had collected £2lO. The Town Clerk reported having received £2O.

Special to the “Times.” AUCKLAND, March 10. At the annual meeting of the North Auckland Timber AVorkers’ Union held at Aratapu the matter of the Seddon testimonial was introduced by the president, who said that the existence of the union and nearly all the advantages working men now enjoyed were due to the legislation of the Seddon Administration, and greatly to the remarkable personality of Mr Seddon himself. The matter was heartily entered into by the meeting, and it was agreed to obtain a subscription list, bead it with a donation of X 5 Ss from the funds of the union, and ask members to individually subscribe. ■ ' PAHIATUA, March 10. At the monthly meeting of the County Council on Saturday dealing with a circular from Greymouth regarding the Premier’s testimonial, the chairman (Mr Bolton), said he was opposed to giving the Premier a purse of sovereigns taken from the pockets of the hard-working people of the colony. The Premier ivas in receipt of a big salary, and .£I3OO had been voted him, and he would be the guest of the lung during his stay in the Old Country. Councillor Smith was altogether opposed to the purse of sovereigns proposal. The Premier had done well and had sent contingents away like a true Briton, but if he had not done so the people of the colony would very soon put someone in his place who would have done it. Councillor rule would subscribe to a service of plate as a lasting memorial, but objected to giving money to be squandered. It was finally decided that the Council would not do anything in the matter. , A meeting of the Karori residents was held last night. Mr E. C. Parr, the May or, vrtio presided, read a circular from the Greymouth Seddon Testimonial Committee asking the residents of the district to co-operate with other local bodies in making a suitable presentation to Mr Seddon. The Mayor stated that ho had received a letter asking for co-operation with the Wellington committee in the same direction. Mr P. J. Macdonald moved that residents of ICarori should make shilling subscriptions towards a ?£f„ Se 5 t 5 tl i ) 1 . n - F - . J ■ Lissington ? u motion, which, was carried, the Mayor received the names of persons willing to act as a committee. A correspondent, writing from Pahiatua, says:—A well-attended meeting of the Seddon Testimonial Committee was w Mayor presided. Mr O Meara, M.H.E., was present, and said ho was in thorough sympathy with thei movement to give the Premier a testimonial and purse of sovereigns. He had, he declared, thorough contempt for the carping critics who were trying to put a damper on the project. He defied anyone to give an instance of a colonial statesman who had made money out. of politics-,—Sir Harry Atkinson, Sir Julius A'ogel, John Ballance, Sir Henry Parkes, all. died poor men. Mr Seddon deserved the biggest purse that could be collected for him. Mr Grcrvill© said, it "was humbug on the part of those who declared they would subscribe if the funds were devoted to purchase of plate or other valuable security. Arrangements were made at the meeting for a thorough canvass of the district.

In response to the announcement made in the “Times” the other day, Mr A. O. Considine, Martinborough writes as follows:—“Enclosed please find cheque for -tl Is as a subscription to the testimonial to tire Eight Hon E. J. Seddon. It is a pleasure to me to contribute my mite to so worthy an object. We Liberals appreciate and are thankful to political opponents for thedr recognition of the merit and the services of our leaders to the colony and the Empire. However members of political parties may disagree in this country concerning legislation, they are unanimous and stand shoulder to shoulder in upholding the honour and supremacy of the Empire. It is sincerely to be hoped that when the Eight Hon the Premier goes Home, ho will not be tempted to sever his connection with Now Zealand. He may bo offered the Governorship of some of the other colonies, and from a monetary ' point of view he may do hotter. But he has lived here since his early manhood, and has endeared himself to the people, and there is no other land that he could go to now where the hearts of the people would be so warm to him as they are in New Zealand. When the right bon gentleman and Mrs Seddon go to the coronation, the best wishes of New Zealanders will go with them, and on their return glad hearts will welcome them back here to 'God’s own. country’ and the land of their adoption.” Should others be disposed to send contributions tg this object they will be duly acknowledged.