"SEDDON DAY BY BAY."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12425, 7 August 1902, Page 7

"SEDDON DAY BY BAY."

TO THE FRONT AGAIN,

'(From Odr Own Coebespojjdixt.) I LONDON, June 27. 'Mr Soddon's full programmo of engagements has boon considerably curtailed, for immediately that the news of tho" lung's illness reached fiim he cancelled nil, public engagements for tho present.- Theso included, for Tuesday evening, the merchant tailors' dinner, an ''At home" given by Lady Sassobn, and the Caledonian Socioty's dinner. Ho also, on behalf of New Zealand, despatched a tnessago of sympathy through Mr Chamberlain. On Wednesday morning Mr Seddon called at Buckingham Palace, but did not attend any public ti9'!At the end of lastwcek, ho, with tho other colonial .visitors, and Mrs Seddon and his daughters, paid a visit to'the Karl and Countess of Harrowby at Sandon Park, near Stafford. Oh arriving at Stafford, the party were received by the Mayor and Corlioration of the borough, and escorted to their carriages, a military escort to Sandon Hall being provided by the Staffordshire Imperial Yeomanry. The streets of the town were profusely decorated in honour of the occasion. On Saturday afternoon a garden party was given in their honour by their ihost and hostess, and on Sunday all attended service at the parish church, where a special sermon was preached by the Bishop of the diocese. On Monday the visitors went to the potteries, and wero shown the principal manufactories in Burslem, Stoke, and Hanley. At the. Stoke Hotel they wore entertained nt luncheon, and returned to town in the evening. On Tuesday Mr Seddon was present at the Empire Trade League luncheon; he also received a command to attend the levee at Buckingham Palace in the afternoon, but this was postponed on account of the King's illness, • Mr ijeddon received an invitation to attend (lie military tattoo on' Saturday evening at the Alexandra Park, hut, :if course, as ho was in Staffordshire, lie was unable to bo present: ho was represented bv Mr Hamer. On Sunday evening next 31r Seddon is announced to attend "in State" with the New Zealand Contingent, at the evening service at St. Peter's "Limehouse, the vicar ol which is an old friend of Mr and Mrs Seddon. The Premier of New Zealand, with Mro Seddon and the Misses Seddon;- wero present 011 Thursday morning at tlie service of intercession held at St. Paul's Cathedral 011 behalf of his Majesty.

When tho news 'ot the King's serious illness was announced, the Premiers were about to assemble for the Empire League luncheon; and Mr Seddou said: "One and all here present must naturally be anxious, because he who reigns over us-has been and is indisposed, and so much so that tho engagements of to-day were of necessity postponed. One and all of us are looking anxiously forward for information, which I | humbly trust may be of a satisfactory character. . In the meantime, coming from the land of the Maori and the moa, I would 6ay, in the language of the' Maoris, ' Let Atua, tho god of both races, safely preserve our King.'" These remarks were received with cheers.' Later in tho day, when it became, known what was the serious nature of his Majesty's condition, Mr' Seddon remarked: "I am sure all'the King's loyal subjects in New, Zealand will bo 'deeply grieved, will pour' out (heir sorrow in sympathy for their suffering Sovereign, and will pray, fervently for his speedy restoration to health. • I have telegraphed to New Zealand suggesting that Thursday should be appointed as a day of supplication." " Good, old Setidonj" New Zcnlaudors here exclaimedhe is to the front once again; he always seems to know instinctively what is the right tiling to do. No one else up to that time had expressed a suggestion that a special day of supplication should be arranged for. Again, the New Zealand Premier is reported to have observed: "We hoped to have hail the pleasure of waiting upon his Majesty this afternoon and tendering to him our expressions of loyalty. This is denied us, and all we can pray is that God may spare the life of our beloved King." At the Empire League luncheon Mr Seddon had a very enthusiastic reception, and in the course of his address he remarked that New Zealand was the part of the Umpire which was furthest away, hut the colonists had proved in South Africa that ' they were very near to tho Mother Country. A' dear lifo had been cheerfully given to .preserve our great nation, and there would, haye been greater sacrifice if the necessity had arisen, it was saying a little thing for •the people who had done this to add that they also desired to help tho Empire commercially;, liecause commerce was the guise, the heart-blood, of the British nation. This was a, time for goodwill among men, but lie would still say that blood was thicker than water. New Zealand would like to divert trade that had gone to foreign nations back to its natural channels and to the Mother Country. How that could best lie done must rest with those 'entrusted with responsibility. What the colonies' were entitled tb' claim was that they should be mfit by those having responsibility ia the Mother Country in tho spirit in which they themselves came, forward. New Zealand knew its' finances would prevent Freetrade within the Empire from being possible, but it was prepared without asking anything in return to give a preference to the trade and manufactures of the Mother Country., New Zealand held that it was heavily handicapped by subsidised foreign stoamers, some of which received £5000 per trip; not, to .deliver letters a few days sooner, but to help foreign' manufacturers. Their proposal to giVe a preference to British goods would, they thought, go to meet that. Mr Barton had led them to believe that they were a very roligious people, and that if they were struck on one cheek they turned the other to receive the same treatment. Ther were not liuilt that way in tho colonies. They would find that he was in uniron with the representative of Australia in these matters. But he would like to remind them that when the physical division .between Australia and New Zealand took place, New Zealand was given quality, and .Australia—well, vast area. He , trusted that tho colonie? arid the Mother Country might be bound'closer together, and that they would show, should trouble arise, as they had done in South Africa, a bold and united front, which had created the admiration of the civilised world. Mr Soddon's speech was constantly interrupted by

cheers and laughter. Ho also remarked: "A Znllvereign, preferential tariffs, rebates on Customs, subsidising. of steamers—each of these raggestions was worthy of consideration, though ho might say that in his colony they-knew that their finances would at present absolutely prevent the possibility of a Zollveirngn. The colonies—he could speak definitely for New Zealand—asked for nothing whatever in return when thoy said they were prepared to give a preference to the trade and manufactures of the Mother Country." "With regard to, this statement, a London, paper observes: "If this be. so, there are no difficulties ahead—New Zealand merely wishes to follow the example set by Canada. To that"them can not only be no objection, but we shall all be very grateful to the colonies for such a practical proof of their gratitude to the Mother Country," After characterising Mr Radon's speech as "emphatic," and remarking that Mr Soddon's speech was " equally cmphatic," another London paper thinks " the audience must have been rather surprised at one of Ilk declarations." It continues: "'The finances of hid colony,' lie said, ' would at present absolutely prevent the possibility of a Zollveteign.' Nevertheless, it seems certain that Mr Seddon's aspirations toward a commercial as well as a political confederation are not at all in ' the air and unformulated. 'The colonies,' lie said, ' asked for nothing whatever in return when (hey said they were prepared to give a preference to the trade and manufactures of the Mother Country. Wherever foreign nations extended their boundaries or annexed territory, up went the barrier immediately of the coastwise laws, and British manufactured goods wore. phut out altogether. When he said that the colonies desired to strengthen' and maintain the Empire tlifey knew that they were helping themselves in helping to promote the stability of the Empire.' No doubt a systematic plan for at least partially accomplishing th'is hope will he- nrrivnd at by the conference." In a leading article on- the same subject tbe Financial. Xcws savs: "An excellent note was struck by Mr Seddon. He disclaimed that the plea for preferential trade was put forward by the colonies from any narrowly selfish or sordid motives. He declared 11is willingness in any ovent (at least, so we interpret him) to "rant a preference to English imports into New Zealand; but in asking that in return England should grant a preference to imports from Ihecolonics bo declared that the request was IS ASTHJTTCUIUBLE? Many sv sufferer from this troublesome complaint must have asked this question, but it is onlv necessary to sive Evsms'a MOUNTAIN ICING ASTIIMA POWDER a single trial to discover that immediate relief can be obtained by its use. This is a hevlra.l preparation, which has never' been known to fail, and is unquestionably the best remedy for all kinds of Astlnnatieal troubles which has ever bc=n invented. It can be obtained from all chemists and s'.orekcepcrs throughout the co[gi]y. Pticc, 2s M cer tin.

made in England's own interests, as well as in thb interests of tho colonies. Ami in putting forward that contention ho showed himself not only an Imperial statesman, but a bettor economist tlmn tho scribes who have lately beon airing what they regard as their knowledge of political economy at his expense. if England (said Mr Sod don) is content to see goods being bought iiT"Ncw Zealand from foreign countries which might, under a preferential trading system be bought from her own manufacturers, Now Zealand is not eontcnt: Tho co'ony 'is uot built that way.' Nor will England's future prosperity bo built that way cither." " All Jinglishmcn," says tho Spectator, " must feel proud as well as gratified at the frank and manly why in which Mr Seddon, at tho dinner given in his honour on Tues-

day, dealt with the question of our commercial relation?. Personally, wo do not agree with his fiscal views and policy, and, unless wc aro mistaken, our attitude is shared by the majority of thinking people in tho Mother Cbimtry; but that does not prevent of understanding Mr Seddon's point of view, and sympathising with the sincere and patriotic spirit which inspires him. Wc think Mr Seddon wrong, hut we fully acknowledge that when lie ask.i for preferential treatment for the colonies by , our. Customs House he is doing so in 112 narrow or selfish spirit, or merely in order •to snatch a trado benefit for New Zealand or the rest of the oversea Empire. He advocates a preferential tariff system because he believes it will be for tho good of the Empire as a. whole, and because 110 hold's it will strengthen the Imperial ties and make the British Empire a greater and stronger state than it can be without such a system.' .Mr Seddon, after re?-ding the texi; of a. resolution passed in the New Zealand Parliament recommending preferential tariff 1; here as well as in the colonies as ' essential to the' well-being of the .Mother Country and liift Majesty's dominions beyond the sea,' went 011 to urge his point in words of great eloquence and force. . . . It is hardly necessary to say of Mr Scfldon's speech that his words ring true, but since in all human affairs which are subject to'controversy, misrepresentations arc apt (0 arise, | we desire to say once more, and to put- it on record in tho dearest way possible, that wo hold Mr Seddon and the other colonial statesmen who support similar views as to .preferential trade aro entirely singleminded, and believe themselves to be proposing for the Empire a policy which will be of benefit to all."

• "The Hon. Richard John Seddon, the'up-to-date Premier of a very lip-to-date colony," writes a St. Helens journalist in M.A.P., ''was, as all the world knows, born at St. Helens. He came of an old Lancashire family on his father's side, and bis mother hailed from Dumfries. When they married lliey conducted, ,a school at St. Helens, the sclioolhouse, which jvas built' in the "seventeenth century and is now occupied by a coachman, being ritualed at the top of Eecleston Hill, .leading out'of St. Helens to the ancient town, of Prescot. It- was at hi; father's school that young Richard was born', reared, and educated. By the time the youugstcr was 12 years of age, however, ha had had enough of books he thought, and so he went to work on the- farm; For two years lie stuck to this,, and then he was apprenticed at Daglish's • foundry at St. Helens. He was a lively, young man, and took his share with the other apprentices in all the fun that > was 'going.. At the same time he was not at rest. He dreamed dreams, and his visions, backed up by his determined will, have been realised. Not, that he dreamt then. of. being Premier of New Zealand, hut he had ideas of becoming a great man. In that way have his dreams been fulfilled. His restlessness was increased when, after spending four years at the foundry, he removed to Liverpool, where ho heard 'such stories of tW Empire beyond the peas that he took ship and went to see for himself. At that time he was only 18 years of age. In Australasia he spqnt some time on the Government, railways as an engineer, somo as a- storekeeper in a gold mining district, and some as a digger. Then ce.me his marriage, to which he attributes niuoh of his good fortune; and lie rose higher and higher 111 public life, until, in 1693, he became Premier. And Premier he has remained ever since. On his visit to St Helens this month he is being presented vi tli the freedom of our borough, which is proud of him." *

Among those who have called on the Premier of New Zealand and Mrs Seddon at tho Cecil Hotel are: Sir Edward Vincent, Lord and Lady Roherts, Mr and Mrs Louis A. Nathan (late of Auckland), Mr -Justice Grantham, Lord Rosebery, Mr John Baillie and Mi3s Baillie, the Sultan of Perak, Mr and Mrs Wolf Harris, Mrs David Nathan, Lieutenant-colonel the Hon. Sir W. Carrington. Commander Sir Charles Oust, the Hon. Derek Ketipel, Commander B. GodfreyFaussett, Captain Tupper, Sir George Whitmore, Mr J. E. Davenport. Mr and Mrs J. Cathcart Wnson, Mr and Mre N. A. Nathan, Mr and Mrs Walter Kcnnaway and tho Misses Kennaway, Mr W. T. Holmes, Sir.H, Bulwer, Mr F. Echstein, Mr Alfred Beit, the Dean of Westminster, Mr F. Hyams, Lieutenant-colonel Arthur Bigge and Lady. Bigge and Misr Victoria Bigge, Lord and Lady Garvagh, Mr Henniker Heaton, M.P.) Sir and Mrs C. Holworthy, L'eu-tenant-colonel' Cradock, Lieutenant-colonel Denison. Lieutcnnnt-genera.l Grenfell, Mrs Percy Adams, Mr W. Acton Adams, Sir Charles and Lady Dilke, Mrs and Miss Baden-Powell, Sir W. Hamilton and Lady Hamilton, Sir William Preece, Mr and Mrs Willes and the Misses W.illes, Lady frillott, Colonel Blair, Mrs and Miss Blair, .Mrs R. Heaton Khodes. Sir Spencer Walpolc, Mr Percy Adams. Mr Vogel. Lady Voge.l and Miss Vogel, Lady Douglas and the Mipees Douglas, General Sir H. Norman and Lady Norman, Mr Sydney Buxton, M.'P., and Mrs Buxton, Lord and Ladv Onslow and Lady Gwendolen Onslow. Sir T. Fowell Buxton and Lary Buxton. Lieutcnant-colonel Pilkington and Mrs Piikington. Sir James Fairfax. Sir William and Ladv Harcourt, Mr and Mrs Oliver, Dr ajid Mrs Hainee, Mrs D. Zimnn, Mr and Seymour Thor»o Georue, Lieutenant-colonel Sommbrville, Sir West,by and Lady Perceval and Miss Perceval, Sir E. M. Nelson and Lndy Nelson, Major-general Gazelce and Ladv Gaw?leo, Earl and Countess of Lichfield. Mr and Mrs Duncan Clerk, Lieutenant-general Kelly Kenny, Earl and Countcfp of Mar, Lieu-tenant-general Hunter, the Hon. A. J. Bal : four, and many others.