MR SEDDON'S RETURN. A FINAL SPEECH. LONDON, September 8.

Otago Witness, Issue 2631, 17 September 1902, Page 15

MR SEDDON'S RETURN. A FINAL SPEECH. LONDON, September 8.

The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Hon. Mr Cadman, Sir John Cockbura, Mr Walter Kennaway, Colouels Cradcck aud Porter, a representative of the' Colonial Office, and many friends bade farewell to Mr S&ddon at Paddington station. Mr Chamberlain a=ked Mr Seddon to convey his best wishes to New Zealand. He would never forget the colony's services in South Africa. His parting with Mr Seddon was most friendly. The Mayor welcomed Mr Seddon to Plymouth, Interviewed and in a farewell speech Mr Seddon stated that he had enjoyed his visit splendidly. The generous hospitality helped nun to bear the terrible anxiety caused by his wife's illness. He did not intend to go upcountry in South Africa. The Imperial Conference was fairly satisfactory, though not Imperialistic enough. Representatives and members of Parliament exhibited a strange nervousness and great objection to make progress in regard to any question. A permanent consultative Colonial Council, on the lines of the Indian Council, ought to be appointed. He strongly urged Mr Chamberlain and British statesmen to visit the colonies. A league ought to be formed to direct British emigrants to the colonies. War ought to be declared against combines in order to avert future disaster. He had strongly pressed for the representation of the colonies upon the commission to inquire into the conduct of the war. He anticipated the new Governor would make changes in Fiji which would improve the conditions of the natives. He advised Queensland and the Pacific Islands to grow cotton, after studying American methods. He strongly advocated that British and colonial newspapers should pass post free thi'oughout the Empire. Mr Seddou and party travel as guests of the New Zealand Shipping Company. They had an enthusiastic send-off at the docks, a great crowd being present.