HONOURING THE PREMIER

Otago Witness, Issue 2509, 16 April 1902, Page 13

HONOURING THE PREMIER

THE PRESENTATION AT CHRISTCHURCH. A GREAT PUBLIC GATHERING.

CHRISTCHURCH. April 8. The large Canterbuiy Hall was packed to the doors on the occa=ion of the presentation to the Right Hon. Mr Sedclon on behalf of the colony prior to his departure for the Coronation cvremony The Mayor (Mr A. ! G. Rhode?) occupied the chair, and there ' were on the platform among others: — Sir John Hall, Sir Joseph Ward. Hon. J. Car- ' roll, Hon W. C. Walker, Hon. C. Louisson, I Messrs T. Parata, G. G. Stead, T. W. ' Stringer, Bishop Giime«, Bi-hop Julius, the mayors of suburban boroughs, and city councillors. The audience numbered something ii'ke 5000, and included a very large ' proportion of ladie;. When the Piennpr suhanoed to tlie stage ■ the house ro'.e at him spontaneously, and choc-rod him to the echo. I Tlie Mayor briefly opened the pi-oceed- ! ings, and called on Sir John. Hall to make ] the presentation. A= cc-Preimer and an old public t.er\ant, :iie committee % thought no more suitable person could be found. As for the testimonial itself, over 20,000 sign-t- i tures were alieady in, but variou- district! ! had Pt ill to send in which would I be bound and forwarded later. The=e represented all shades of politica' opinion. The Mayor read apclngio* from the Gover= nor, the Mayors of Kumara, Greymouth, Timaru. Westport. Port Chalmprs, Inveroarijill. Blenheim, Hokitika, Napier, Ross, New Plymouth, and Dunedin, the chair- • nan of the Westland County Council, and the Hon. Win. Montgomery. Sir John Hall, in making the presentation, raid at other times his voice was often heard raised in an endeavour tc show that the | PrennerS nolitic-> were wrong, his les;isla- I tion wor>e, and his Administration worst J of all Tiii> was n question of domestic | concern, and where there was a healthy state J of public opinion con-iderable differences were bound to rot,t. But the question be- | fore them that night was one of duty to the Mother Country in the struggle which had been forced tipon her in South Africa. He could find no difference of opinion in New Zealand. There wr.-> piactically but one opinion that our membership of the great Empire of which we form part, whose flag floats over v*, who gave us the free inatilutions we enjoy at a trifling cost, entail corresponding obligation to th ■• Mother Country, especially in the hour of need. He was sure Mr Seddon would not claim that he had created this opinion. The old folks brought it from the Old Country, and the young ones imbibed it with their mother's milk. But it might not have borne such good fruit if the head of the Government' was not in sympathy. Fortunately, New Zealand had had one who entirely sympathised with these patriotic feelings — one who, foremost among colonial statesmen, threw himself into the ta^k of organising assistance for the Empire. During the last two years Mr Seddon had not failed to persevere J with untiring energy and judgment to press their duty upon New Zealanders, and as a result this colony had sent proportionately more assistance than any other colony. The glorious services our men had rendered had siven. New Zealand the highest possible ( baracter m the Mother Country. During a recent visit Home he had met many campaigners, who reported that New Zealanders were prominent for steady discipline and behaviour amon-g all colonial troops. Speaking as to Mr Seddon's vigorous protest against the shameful Continental slanders, he joined in thanking him for that protest. These slandeis were well called " foul and filthy lies," and it was regrettable that they had been uttered m a country supposed to be friendly and on which we had strong claims of kinship. Statements had also been made by men of influence in the Mother Country which, if not so coarse or quite as fal^e, were even more mischievous. To accuse the army of barbarism was an abominable slander. As to the outcome of the conflict there was only one end. " J am," said Sir John, " too old a man to be a Jingo, but I say this fight has got to be fought to a finish.'' — (Loud applause.) Whatever further sacrifice were demanded miut be cheerfully given. He was not without uneasi-nci-i as to what the settlement would be after the conflict was o\er. There was a talk of patched up peace and offering the tame free institution* to the Boors as we in the colonies pessesnetl. He would not grudge these blrs=ingh when we could °afely give them, but the<-e iiiititution-, were haspd on broad loyalty to the throne. When they found nich loyalty existing in South Africa, then it would be tune to extend such pri\ilege--. But to eivc men with race hatred and an mecom-ilable grievance Mich political j powir would be absolute political insanity. \ Mr Chamberlain lpcentlv declared that the colonies must he consulted as to the terms of peace, and lie earnestly hoped that Mr Seddon would uiM-t on such a peace as will i be a secure and Lifting one, Mich as would I forbid for c\or a renewal of a disa-tiou.s conflict. Sir John Hall then road the ad'lre~s .v- follow- : — To ihe I'iplit Hon Ruliarri John .Seddon, PC, LL.D , Picnnei of the Colons of Xew Zc.i-1-nd. H.glit Honouidble S.i,— Tn tho coui=r of ,i few iKvs you i\ill k-j\e us to re present New Zealand at the Coronation of our King, and it ih thought that \om approaching dcparUue presents a fitting time to express to you our appirLiation and appioval of tlie prompt and pra< tiral proof yen have pi\fn of the sympathy of your fe'low colonists with their Motln rlanc] in her Soulh Afrn.n ■■int'.'^ie LovalU i^ l,iu kin-<-hip written lai^f, nr.rt ,->vPiy iran ami woman of this colony is proud of the crimson thread v liic h makp-i the people of Xew Zealand lowil sons and daughters of the British Empire Your high office has been to voice our 'ovaltv. and pive it effectual shap<. and the \ lerour and i judgment you have displayed in tins have not I only won our giatitude anc l admiration, but i have shown the world that whatever the sat nfice we cheerfully take our stand be<->dc- our Mother Country foi the maintenance of her honour and the intpgri'v of her Empire In sincere testimony whereof w Mib-triLe ourselves ! Sir John Hall (continuing) b'-pgr-d. on , behalf of the toloni=t-> of New Zealand, i without distinction of cla<-s or party, Mr Sod- | don's acceptance of the addrc — . in the confident belief that it would be- trea-urcd b\ hini'elf and descendants a« ,• tubute of the ■ eminent service lendeied by him to the ' colony and the llinpiic. The fact that it ' \iiii pre>entcd h\ one not able to see eye I to ov<j politically nuirlit, add to the value in In- f-tnnation Sn John Hall eoncludc<t I y -ij hik that thf oduiC" would he supple lii^ntcvl by a pui-e, w Incli v."\i not yt t ready. by.t jKKida roxtresantad a Jatjic ajuounl,

subscribed in many small amounts. — (Longcontinued applause.) Mr G. G. Stead, following, characterised the meeting as evidence of the approval of Mr Seddon's Imperial Pttitude. They were unanimous in such approval whatever their differences of opinion in domestic politics. [ All had joined hands in making the prej Fentation to the Premier. Mr Seddon had shown direct and untiring energy. Tile speaker recited at some length the colony's connection with the South African hostilities, with particular emphasis on the part I played by New Zealand in general, and by I the Premier in pai tlcv.lar. He praised I highly the admmittiative capacity displayed in organising and despatching so many men as New Zealand had sent. In asking Mr Seddon's acceptance of tho testimonial they wished it to q-o forward to the world that it had the endorsement of every loyal man. woman, and child in the Empire. When Mr Seddon got Home they wanted liim to tell the Empire that, if nc-c-essary. New Zealand was prepared to give her la a t man and spend her last shilling in defence of the Empire. I Mr T W. Stringer said the occasion was . raised altogether abo-\e party politic?. One of the most attractive features was the fact , that Sir John Hall, bowed with the weight *of years, grown' old m tlie &YVice of the ! country, had come forward to make tl\e> presentation. The adtTress was intended" tqshow the world that the Premier had ndf^ 'had, a* Lord ' -Rosebery had, >to- plough a| lonely furrow in the conduct of the war, j but had the support, of every man aiia woman in the colony : secondly, it was in.tended as a - recognition of the personal worth of Mr Seddon in li is capacity as head of the colony. There had been a grave national crisis, which the spontaneous rally of the colonies had helped to avert by showing the civilised world that the colonies, would stand no intervention with the Empire. Mr Seddon had shown no vacillation, I but, rightly interpreting the feeling of the people of the colony, had nailed his colours to the ma^t. and pledged the colony to : fi>ht to a finish. The war had given whole- ; some lessons, and practically created a spirit j of patriotism in the colony. Patriotism in a new land was a tender plant, difficult to cultivate. It required a great occasion to fire a country to patriotism. New Zealand 1 was to be congratulated that the right man I had been in the right place when that occa- ' sion did arise. The war had also brought ' within measurable d'stance the poet's dream of Imperial federation. He yen- ' tured to predict that when the historian came to record the names of those who played a great leading part in such federation there would be found the name of Richard John Seddon. Mr Seddon was recehed with tumultuous applause and repeated cheering, culminating { in the house rising again and singing "He's a jolly good fellow," followed by further cheering and wild applause. Mr Seddon said it had fallen to the lot of few men to receive at the hands of his countrymen such a reception as had been accorded to him. He had listened to the addresses with 1 mingled feeling?. He asked himself if he '< really deserved all the kind thing? said. I He felt ho had only done his duty to the j country and the people. A pleasing feature i was that the adch-es.- had been presented by Sir John Hall. He looked back many years to the first meeting with Sir John Hall, when he himself was simply a local politician. It was true they had differed in dome-itic politics, and probably still did differ, but the country still sm'vived. It was well that the presentation should take place in Christchurch, for when he came to the colony he came to Canterbury. He was therefore ouly coming home to receive at their hand«, on behalf of the colony, the addres-. and presentation which they were giving him. Sir John Hall no doubt would have a vivid recollection of the crude, rugged young man from the West, who entered politics in 1879, and give him credit for always having said what he thought. Times had changed. Ho stood there representing a vast unanimity of Imperial sentiment. " Empire, country, and our grand old flag " had been the watchwords of every hearth when- the Empire was threatened. What el.«e could a Britisher do but stand for that grand old flag. It was not for the colony to hesitate or ask questions. Diplomacy had failed ; they knew why now. The Boers, conscious of their preparedness and the Empire'? unpreparednc-s, had determined to take the opnortumty. Tlie cni- 1 lised world now knew what Mr Kruger meant prophesvinir that the war would startle civili.-ation. He had counted with out hie host, and had not reckoned on their dogged British pluck and endurance Tho battles fought by tin- army "-imply added lustre to the p.'itio'.i\ record We had i-hown the world what the united British and colonial forces, could do. They had difproved the opinion that the colonies would ]iro\e a source of weakness to the Mother Country. Tho colonies had not waited to be asked ; contingent after contingent had followed up to ten. Let them require another ten, and anothci ten aftc-r that, if necessary, and they would be .-out. — (Loud applause) They would not be worthy of the iace from which they sprang if they would not make saenfic t-s whrn called upon. Their s-ons fought nobly and gallantly Thf-ir behaviour had been that of gentlemen. Ceneial Kitchener, who, like himself, w.i^ a man cf lew word^— (laughter), — used tlie^-e 11 eiii^iable vvorcK " 1 no\er feel f-afei 111 the field than when 1 h.i\ v ihc New Z^a landers with m<V This wa% a splendid testimony, and it applied to all contingent-. Speaking of filid) .itti-f non. ho said it wa-^ a noblo ret 01 d to hf able to -.tatt-- that <.ut of 1000 men over 900 If fi outer-, on tlitir pay for tlio^e dependent >>n thc-in Those who tf.xc-d the nun with bring 11nfil1.il might well hang tl.dr In ad-, with sjj.imc Look in" ahead, th^ro vva- on'v room for one t oiieUwon. that wa<- unconditional -uirender A peace recognising any rights to tho Boers would be a la-ting eh = c> to the Empire. Some were urging that a (oiUini portion b<> set apart for the Isoei» He t-aid not one foot — (App'au-sc ) To peimic. that would be --imply leaving a canker to menace the peace of South Africa. It wa-' immateiial how they dealt with the captives and surrenderor--, but a final peace mut-t be on an unqualified ba-i-. He would make no distinction among prisoners, but show our proverbial generosity: but not in the dire" tiDii of giving them an opportunity to repeat their war. One year and nine months ago he had advised a settlement on a ba^-i-- of a military --ettleineiit, with South Afura aa Crown < olouy, 1 onditional repic-entation ' with voting power to tho-n '•üb'-ci lhnr., themselves Biiti-lm-, n c ogni-ii" n ' cut Kuu and om flag, a'lc' with qualification-, bill with no power tn dominate our fles-h anil blood Latci on time would Ij< a fi<(«_ii tion <>f )!)!■ t\\.. |]< w .State- w»h Natal a. id Cape Coloin, and ultimately a fid<i.<ud South Africa. Whan that came they might

rest assured there would be no furthet trouble in that part of the world. As ha had acted in the past, so he wou'd be prepared to act in the future. New Zealand's prompt action had come from the people ol the colony, supported by almost the entire press of the colony, and by all parties in the legislature. — (Appiaive.j Jn respect to taking the initiative, if any credit was due it was simply because there were times in the government of a country' as in a family, when it was necessary to act promptly, quickly, and decisively. Hesitancy was the cause of much of the world's trouble. Better for a man sometimes to act quickly and wrongly than to vacillate or never act at all. — (Loud applause.) People would for<?i\e a man who made mistakes, but not one who never acted. The moral effect of New Zealanders' action had been a splendid testimony for the colony. The re-ponse from the young men had been won derful. He had had mothers come to him praying as a great favour that their son;, might go with the contingent. So long as they had mothers like tHit they need never j fear for the invasion of the colony. They I had further great strength in the Native race. The only grievance the Maoris had from end to end of the colony was that theii sons had not been allowed £0 go and light the battles of the Empire. When the Sec .. retary of State gave an undertaking not tc -aqipjoy coloured races in the war it had rli^n: oblivious to ' the ; treaty ol W^itangi, which gave the Maoris an equal status with the British. The Maoris had " riot * murmured, but were gravel}' disappointed, and only ztsjfed t. at they might be given an opportunity' in future. - They might eafely trust the Native race in case of emergency. Discipline and training would tend to prolong the life of the Native race. As the mouthpiece of the people of the colony, ho would speak with no uncertain sound to their kindred at Home. Notwithstanding that few had erred in the last few months by hurtful speeches, he thought it right they should be told with no uncertain voice what their attitude meant. Mr Seddon went on to state that he would lay before the meeting the propositions which he intended to lay before the Conference of Premiers. They were as follows : — 1. It is essential to the wellbeiug of the Mother Country and his Majesty's dominions beyond the seas that in such dominions where the same does not exist, prefc-rential tariffs by way of rebate of d,uties on British manufactined goods carried in British-owned ships should bs granted, and that in the Mothei Country a rebate of duty on colonial produces now taxable should be conceded. 2. That it :3 desiiable to have an Imperial leserve force formed in each of his Majesty's dominions over the seas for services :n case of emergency in which such reserve is formed; the limits within such reserve force may be employed outside the colony wherein it 13 raised to be defined by tho Imperial and colonial Governments at the time such reserve is formed, and to be in accordance with any law in force for the time being respecting the sarhe, the cost of maintaining and equipping such reserve force to be defrayed in such pioportion and manner as may be agreed upon between the Imperial aud colonial Governments. 'A. That the Australian i -qu?dron be stiengthened — (a) by increasing the number of ciuisers, ca) by withdraw: i. o > some of the mgunboats and replacing them with modern and a bettei class o f ciuisers, and (c) by adding torpedo catcht'is or destroyers if. deemed necpssary, the exti.i co3t of maintenance cntmled to be defrayed m the same pioportion as provided under the existing agicement and on a population basis. 4. That m arianging lor the administration of that portion ot the Empire formerly known as the South Atricau Republic and Orange Free State piovision should be made that duly cjuabfied members of the learned and skilled professions now admittsd and hereafter to be admitted to practice in the Dominion, of C-Rnitda, the Commonweplth of Australia, and in New Zealand be allowed to practise within the newly acquired territories leferred to ... 5. That in anaiiging for this it would be an advantage to the Empire to have subsidised mail services established as between Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Great Britain, the steamers carrying such mails to be British, owned, and such steamers to be of such a class and so ntted that in time of war they may be armed and used as cruisers. C. That it would be to the advantage of the Empire if triennial conferences were h •*'/?, at which questions affecting the political and commercial relations of thr Mother Country and hi= Majesty's dominions over the seas could bo discussed and considered as between the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Prime Ministers ot the self-governing colonie?. In the case cf any emergency ansing upon which a special 1 onfereiice may have been deemed jKcessarj. the next ordinary conference to be held not sooner than three years thereafter Commenting on these suggestions, the Premier stated he approved of strengthening the squadron — the first line of defence. Whateser they did in Australia, he felt that the true strength in New Zealand lay in thol British flec't. He would support the existing agreement. It was certain that the disability at present existing in the learned profr«Mon>< praeti'-incr in South Africa would be removed. He thonnighly approved of

subsidised mail steamers. A» to the proposed ti lenuial conferences, such conferencco would be timply c. beginning" oi a greater Empire and the foundation of a council of the Empire. In conclusion, having accepted the. responsibility to the Empire, he was prepared to go on. The addresses delivered that night and the testimonial signed by 20,000 colonists would be tieasured by him as long as life was in his bod}'. It had been mentioned that something tangible was to follow. That never troubled him. There had been a good deal of pin-pricking, and much had been sdM and written which would have been better left unsaid and unwritten. — (Hear, hear.) They knew him too well to attribute his action to selfi-h motive.-. — (Long and loud applause). He left New Zealand not simply a& Premier of New Zealand, not as the representative of a party, but as the representative of tho colony to convey t heir loyalty and devotion to the throne and coustilu- j lion, and tlie detraction of their repre«enta- J tive was a deli action of them. But they need have no four for their kindred. The ■ Mother Country knew that the colony had ! been wholly unselfish in its services. He j 1 left the colony strengthened by their kind- | ness, and hoped on his return to still say j lip had done his duty. When the Premier conelud"d there was another wild .scene and applause, the audience once more rising and singing " He's a jolly good fellow." At the Premier's instance, the aud"»'ca ga\e three hearty cheers for Sir John ' - Hall. . .Sir Joseph Ward moved a vote of thanks to the chair, and the nroceedings closed ! with cheers for Mr and Mrs Seddon. The meeting thr.nighom was marked with j extraordinary enthusiasm. ) The Premier visited Kaiapoi to-day, and ! j was pi evented by Messrs T. Parata and I j Tuitua with an address on behalf of the I j Ngatuahuriri tribe. Tiuneheou was served ! , in the Rur.ganga Hall, and toasts were honoured. A* tho party were leaving Mrs Seddon was pro=entecl with a kiwi mat and > a carved mere. !Tlip addrcFd expressed the high esteem in which the Premier is held by the Maoris, ' r and tho admiration of the prompt and j p-actical proof he had given of the sym- ' put by of tho people with the Empire in the i li'iu'- of need The address was signed by r 'sO Xuthoj AUCKLAND, Apnl 8. J Siil>-( i iptmn- tn the i'romui'- te-timoiiial . amounted to £646. winch i- subscribed by | nearly 2000 p"ople The Mas-or to-day sent ; i the following telegram to the secretary of the Te-Uunomnl Committee at Christchuich : '" On behalf of the people of Auckland and provincial distnct. please convey to the Piight Hon. the Premier their heartiest good wi-hps for a plcn»ant tr'p Home. Endorsement of hi* policy m i elation to Imperial troubles in South Africa by the people of the colony m time after time \olunteering;, equipping, and sending off contingent after contingent, has found practical expression in the presentation to be made to-night from all ola>--p<> of the conmiunity and all shades of politics. The people of Auckland have, in their lhou-"iid-, already given the Right Hon. tlie Premier a veiy cordial send-off, tii'l d<-<-iif> jo ;ig.iin o\pre-- their sincrrc-t goodwill tow. -ml- him, and to a--ure him of tluir luaitic-t suppoit m the policy formu l.ttcl in '-o -t.iti'Miianhlvo manner, and so <-uc ( c — fuliv r.irnetl out by him in respect of I In- vs.ii m Soi.th Alikj. Hut for the sud dr-u di'|jjiMii' . Auckland would undoubtedly have 1h n l • |)i< -niitcd anioupr-t jou. In in ikiii4 tin. 1 i (>loinal jiir-entation tonight, wn i c v upon V'hi. t'lercfori'. to express our bcutv <' O|i<:,uion m tin' p: c-cntation and our vv.um aiid kiiidlif-t fi-oln p- (o the Right Hon ;i'id Mr- Sf 'ldon in thnr tup Homo t) if»)ir<-iMil tin tolo'i;. at the Coioiutioii of the King."'