SEDDON MEMORIAL

Otago Witness, 1 June 1910, Page 66

SEDDON MEMORIAL

STATUE AT HOKITIKA.

UNVEILING CEREMONY",

EULOGISTIC SPEECH BY SIR J. G, WARD.

HOKITIKA, May 25.

The unveiling ceremony in connection with the memorial to the late Mr Seddon eventuated this afternoon in the presence of a fairly large gathering. Heavy rain in the morning militated against the attendance. The School Cadets were well represented, over a total of 200 being present from the Reefton, Greymouth, Cobden, and Hokitika districts. Mr T. J. M'Quiran (chairman of the Memorial Committee) referred to the erection of the marble statue of the late Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, who had, he said, accomplished so much in the service of his country and for the Empire. He referred to the spontaneous manner in which the residents of Hokitika and the West Coast generally had. subscribed towards the memorial, the total cost of which amounted to about £SBO.

The Secretary (Mr D. J. Evans) then read a number of apologies, including those received from Ministers of the Crown, Captain Seddon, Mrs Bean, Mrs Dwyer, Misses Seddon, Mrs Seddon, Dr Morice, Rev. Dr Grimes, Mr S. T. Saunders (editor of the Lyttelton Times), and others.

Sir Joseph Ward, on rising, was greeted with applause. He said the duty which had devolved upon him was one that caused Him mixed feelings of regret and pleasure—regret that even at this late period the necessity should arise of paying respect and esteem to a man who was so well known to the older generation and to the younger generation, and whose memory was so dear by reason of the great services he had rendered as a public men. It was a pleasure, because he had the honour of being associated with the late Prime Minister for many years, both before and after Mr Seddon became a Minister of the Crown. It was a pleasure to be here to-day as his successor to pay his respects with those amongst whom Mr Seddon had passed his early youth. The statue would serve to point out for all time that the services of a great man were here commemorated. It would be impossible to fully record Mr Seddon's life, but he would endeavour to give a brief sketch of his record. As they all knew, Mr Seddon had played a great part, and had actively led public opinion, not alolne in this Dominion, but in the other parts of the Empire. He had made his impress upon Imperial questions, and it was largely due to him that the relations between the Home Country and the overseas dominions were put on a broader basis of mutual protection. They were all assembled for the purpose of paying a tribute of respect to one who had won such distinction in this young country. It was a wonderful record, which was due to strenuous and hard work. The example he had given of close application, strenuous exertion, and indefatigability would serve as a fine example to the younger generation. jj e would briefly refer to the career of the deceased statesman, but before doing so he would like, to point out that Hokitika had the first complete statue raised to his memory. Other parts of the Dominion had some tangible evidence of their respect, but Hokitika was the first to have a complete statue. He desired to thank the West Coasters, both here and elsewhere, for the ready response they had given to the appeal to commemorate Mr Seddon's memory. He wished also to refer to Mr Parkinson, the contractor, who they all would recognise had carved a splendid likeness of the deceased, and had faithfully carried out his trust. He would give a brief history of Mr Seddon's career. Mr Seddion was born on the 22nd June, 1845, and was married in 1869. His first entry into public life was as a member of the Arahura Road Board, of which body he later became chairman. In this conniption Sir Joseph pointed out the usefulness of service on a local body in the evolution of the life of a. public man, and said that it was highly creditable for anyone to rise from the position of member of a small local body to that of the highest in the land. Mr Seddon was a member of the Westland County Council from 1877 to 1891, and during that period became the head of the council. He was the first Mayor of Kumara (1878), and represented the Kumara electorate from 1879 till 1887, when the electorate became merged in Westland. He represented the latter from 1887 till the 10th June, 1906—the day of his death. He was a member of Parliament from 1879 till he died. In the evolution of the deceased statesman's career, during the period of about 28 year.; he was in Parliament there was no blemish on his

record, and that was the finest tribatto that could ba said of him. He became Minister of Public Works and Mines in 1891, and in *>c became Prime Minister, and Prime Minister he remained till his death. It was an unprecedented record. There may be smaller States which had statesmen who led them for longer periods, but none with the responsibilities of this country. His record as Prime Minister did him credit, and was a feature of. which his widow and family might well be proud. Mr Seddon had always had a warn corner in his heart for the West Coast. Only that morning, while the speaker was travelling from Grey-mouth to Hokitika, he was reminded of the active manner in which Mr Seddon, in the teeth of satirical opposition, had fought for the construction of the W~Vi. tika-Grey railway, which it was would prove one of the railway faihu the Dominion. Mr Seddon's predecessors had admittedly worked haixl and paved the way, but the construction of the line was due to his sincere, persistent, and consistent advocacy and to his belief that it would pay. History had proved him right.—(Applause.) As ,a member of the Cabinet and of the House and on the platform he had advocated its construction, and the result of his efforts they could all see in this epoch-marking and memorable occasion. As the lieutenant of the late Prime Minister, and one who had worked under him and by his side, he desired to publicly acknowledge his services, and to say that his one aim was to do.good to the country and the masses generally and the districts he represented. He regretted that the late statesman had worked so strenuously. He possessed a tremendous amount of active force, which was always used for what he thought was right and in the best interests of the Dominion. At the right time, when the Empire was menaced and there was dansrf? threatening all its parts, Mr Se; •....! appeared on the scene, and helped to .iivanise into action the thoughts and :'..lings of the Dominion. That was in connection with the South African war. It was his greatest effort to join with the Home fc|nmtry in preserving the unity of the Emrare and that the British flag should wave freely over a free people.— (Applause.) Nona could estimate his deeds nor their effect. They all joined with the speaker in paying a tribute which was not to be treasured for its intrinsic value, but as an emblem of a man who had endeared himself by the work done during his day and generation. He had died too soon owing to his strenuous work, leaving a widow and family. The statue was no compensation for the loss of a husband and father, but it would prove a source of satisfaction to them. It" showed < the finer side of human nature when those living recognised the worth'of those who had died.

On behalf of the donors be asked Mr Michell (Mayor of Hokitika), for himself and his successors, to receive the statu© and to take care of it. He trusted and felt sure that care would be taken of it, and that the Mayor would accept the care and responsibility of its preservation. They recognised in the departed statesman not alone their member but also their guide and friend, and they had erected this emblem in recognition of his good work, arid rejoiced to do so. It was appropriate that the flags used on this occasion were those used a few months ago at the ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral, London, and that Mrs Morice was present on both occasions. In- conclusion, he eaid nothing remained for him but to repeat the expression of Ids mixed feelings of regret and pleasure. He thanked the subscribers for the wholehearted way in which they had responded to the appeal to erect the statue amongst the scenes of his youth, where he had begun his work in the development not alone of the Dominion but also of the Empire. Nothing was more appropriate than that the occasion should be honoured by the presence of the Cadets and the Territorials on this epoch-marking occasion. He thanked them all for their attendance to do honour to one who had been a maker of history, and who was thoroughly respected wherever known. - (Applause.) Sir Joseph Ward then unveiled statue, the Territorials presenting arms. Mr Michell (Mayor of Hokitika) said he accepted . the trust on behalf of the borough of Hokitika, by whom the statue would be properly taken care of, both now and in the days to come.—(Applause.) Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., briefly thanked the people of the West Coast who had bo generously subscribed to the fund for the erection of the statue. Cheers were then given for the King, the Prime Minister, Mrs Seddon, the chairman, Mr D. J. Evans (the secretary), and Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, and the proceedings terminated.