FAREWELL GATHERING.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4636, 15 April 1902, Page 7

FAREWELL GATHERING.

SPEECH BY MR SEDDON. After the Drayton Grange left the wharf, the visitors aboard, who numbered about a hundred ladies and gentlemen, gathered in the saloon for a final and general leave-taking. The cosy apartment was prettily decorated with flowers and foliage, and the scene under the rays of the electric lamps was bright and cheerful. Sir Joseph Ward was spokesman for his colleagues of the. Ministry, as well as for Mr and Mrs Scddon’s friends, and on their behalf ho delivered an appropriate speech. He said they were all anxious to wish the Premier a fond farewell, for the time being. At almost the last moment'of his departure, they were all exceedingly sorry to lose him for a while. They wished him God speed in his mission to the Old Country, and trusted that when bo had carried out the important duties devolving upon him he and his wife might return to the colony safely and in every way more vigorous than when they left its shores. Mr Seddon took with him the loyal appreciation of the great jority of the people of New Zealand. Ho had done extraordinary and remarkable work on its behalf, and it must bo exceedingly gratifying to him to see how its people had risen to bid him a fond and enthusiastic farewell. He could rest assured that his colleagues would in his absence endeavour to the best of their ability to do their duty and fulfil the important trust committed to them. And they confidently believed that those associated with them in doing the public work of the colony would loyally cooperate. In conclusion. Sir Joseph Ward, whose sentiments evoked warm applause, wished Mr and Mrs Seddon. and the members of their family accompanying them, God speed, good luck, every happiness and prosperity, ind a safe return. . The health of the Premier was honoured. Mr Seddon, in reply, said the gathering of that moment was unique. It was to him pleasant in the extreme. His family and himself had near them kind and true friends. Ho had no doubt that, like themselves, their friends felt

about to take place, although it was only for a very short period. Ho had seen off many contingents. He had gone down the harbour with them, returning after they had got a short distance on their way. But it was quite another feeling that permeated his breast at the present moment. Ho now felt like their gallant sons, _ who were going away, leaving everything behind them. And ho hoped that, like them, he might do his duty to their colony and their great Empire. He did not know of any man holding a high public position who had left Now Zealand under the same happy auspices as had attended him on this occasion. Each and every one seemed to have sunk all differences and combined to give him assurances of their respect, and of their earnest desire for his own welfare and that of his dear ones. This action was much appreciated, and it would never bo forgotten. From all parts of the colony, during tho last levy days, telegrams had been pouring in, .until it seemed at last it was almost impossible for him to reply to them. Messages camo from those who differed from him, as well as from those who were associated with him politically. In saying cood-byo there seemed to he only one people in tho colony, and only ono desire, and that was that ho should wo away strengthened as much as the people could strengthen him for the mission with which he was charged. I* ll3 would show the people of tho Mother Country that New Zealanders were one at heart. It would show them that the New Zealanders were ono combined and determined people in respect of the troubles in tho Transvaal. Those troubles had brought the people together m a way that' he was sure nothing elso could havo done. It was pleasing to see that people could differ without having a desire to injure each other, that they could differ as men in a free country under a free constitution, and at tho same timo respect each other, and outside politics help each other along the road of life. For himself, ho had never allowed differences of opinion to warp his judgment in any matter. Such a course would, he thought, not be manly. If others would follow the same rule, and bo tender of the feelings of other persons, it would be better for the colony and for the world. 'When a man was acting straight and was incorruptible, it took tho lifo and go out of him to havo corrupt motives imputed to him! Some men retired from public lifo rather than submit to havo unjust things said and written about thorn. As to himself, and he thought he could speak also for his colleague, Sir Joseph Ward, and those associated-with them, they wore not built that way, and thoy battled along, saw the thing through, fought it out. At the same timo there were those who were near and dear to them who did not understand public life and what it meant, _ and when they saw and heard these things, thoy took them to heart and felt thorn very much. Tho Premier went on to deprecate tho use of personalities in public discus sions, on the ground that they caused suffering to thoso who were in no way concerned, and who loved and respected those who were assailed. If this were generally realised, a better state of things would prevail. So far as New Zealand was concerned, however, it was singularly free from the evil in question. It was not so bad in that respect as some other countries. At all events, there were times when all feeling was obliterated, and thoy made a fresh start. Such a time, ho thought, had now arrived. Mr Seddon made some jocular remarks as to his travelling in a troopship. Then, quickly changing his tone, he said,'with emphasis, that the good ship that carried their sons to South Africa was a ship that suited him, and it was no discredit to any man to sail in such company. Continuing, the Premier said that on the previous day he liad received a cablegram from one of the New Zealand officers commanding in South Africa, who said that Lord Kitchener had suggested that he should land at Durban, aud go up to Pretoria, where the Commander-in-Chief would very much like to see him, and then go from there down to Capetown. All through the Premier’s speech was cordially applauded, but this announcement was received with special enthusiasm. Mr Seddon wont on to say that he would be very delighted indeed to soo Lord Kitchener, and from him receive direct information respecting the sons of New Zealand who were in South Africa and those who had been there. Ho would rather spend a few days there than in tho provinces of tho Mother Country. At all events, he knew where ho could probably do tho most good. He knew where he could receive most valuable information, and, therefore, his present intention was, if timo permitted, to go from Durban to Pretoria, and from there to Capetown, whence he would make his way to the Mother Country. While in South Africa ho was sure he would see vory many New Zealanders, and ho would take it upon himself to convey to them love and affection and good wishes from their kindred and friends in this colony. They would, he believed, make to him like a boy to his father, like a tui to the flax-flower, like a bee to honey. He knew they would come, and they would receive a very cordial welcome from him. When ho arrived in the Mother Country there would be a change. Great things were expected of him, and he hoped that the highest aspirations and expectations of the people of New Zealand would be realised. He could only gay that ho would do his best. He knew what his best was. Sometimes it was good, and sometimes it was not worth much. At all events, it was always straight and vigorous. And there was a good deal in vigour. .Things of great moment were to be discussed whilst he was in London. They were to-day making history. He did not know of any period in the history of the British nation when there had ever been two and a half years so fraught with moment for ill or well for Great Britain and the Empire os the last two and a half years had been. In tho whole of their history, nothing had brought the British people so close together as the events which had recently taken place in South Africa. He believed that in the course of a few years, when normal conditions were resumed, historians would say it was a blessing to the British Empire that tho Boers invaded British territory. Proceeding, the Premier expressed tho opinion that the expansion of_ mind which took place in the colonies under their freer conditions would, if transmitted to the people at Home, help them to improve their conditions, and so bring greater happiness and strength to tho Empire. It was his desire, and it would be his duty, to promote the good feeling that now existed between tho colony and the Mother Country, and endeavour, if possible, to bring their connection closer together. Touching on his risit to Australia, Mr Seddon said he wanted to create closer friendship as between the Commonwealth and New Zealand. Ho noticed that some of the Australian journals were at present carrying on a pin-pricking process as against the Federal Prime Minister, and that he (Mr Seddon) was being used as the weapon of tortnre. It would bo admitted that it was incongruous to think of him as such an But he

it would ho found 'that tho loading statesmen of Australia would be as friendly with him during his coming visit as they had been for years gone by. It had been said that something should he done to bring tho Commonwealth and New Zealand closer together in respect of trade and commerce. Well, lot the Australians settle their tariff first. When that was done, it would bo for his colleagues and himself to consider what they were prepared to do. If Australia was prepared to meet New Zealand and to reciprocate on anything like even terms, this colony would hold out tho olive branch. If it was to be the other way, New Zealand was a self-contained country, with an energetic and intellectual people, who would carve out their own destinies and plough their own furrow. In conclusion, the Premier, on behalf of Mrs Seddon and himself and their family, returned thanks in very warm terms for the good wishes which had been extended to them. He remarked that the nearest and dearest wish of his heart was to return to New Zealand in good health and strength. He had had a very heavy strain during the last few weeks, but ho had got through it, and he felt that day fit for almost anything. In the hands of Sir Joseph Ward and his colleagues, he felt sure that everything would go well in his absence. The country was looking all right, and he know nothing to cause anxiety in connection with its public affairs. He thanked them very heartily for accompanying his party so far. Hearty applause greeted Mr Seddon when he concluded his speech. At tho call of Sir Joseph Ward, three cheers wore given for Captain Bennett and the owners of the Drayton Grange for tho hospitable way in which they had treated the visitors. After the last good-byes had been said the visitors returned to the city in the steamers Lady Roberts and Janie Seddon.