RESOLUTION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11668, 2 July 1906, Page 1 (Supplement)

RESOLUTION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

At the meeting of the Cbamhar of Commerce last night before any bus[iness was taken, the. Chairman, Mr i L<\ Hamilton moved: — "That this meeting desiros to'f.reeord its deep sence of tho loss which the Colony has sustained in tho death of the Right Hon. .Richard • Sedddon, a man who has for .so ;many years directed the affairs of | the Colony with eminent courage, i energy* and ability. The Chamber J also ventures to convey to Mr* I Seddon and the members of hftr [family its earnest, sympathy with I them in their bereavement, which, | however, they trust, may in annip j measure he softened by the universal appreciation of the inestimable and S abiding services which Mr Soridon has rendered bis country." He briefly referred to tho great loss the Colony had sustained. Mr C. Y. 'Fell .-aid he did not thinlc that tho true position of a man who had been so prominent in the affairs of the country a?: Mr Seddon had been could be at once gunged. and eortainlj not in moments of emotion such as thc^e they wore now passing IhrouuL. When he had said a few broken words on the previous day he. should not, have made comparisons, for. on rpilfction. he did not think that was fair. The Colony had been blep.-Ki with many eminently good men, mPii of remarkable .stomp and power, and who bad helned to raise tin* Colony to a high ylttcei in the world's psteem. He did not mean to detract from any of these. It was sufficient for them to remember that they had now lost n v«iy great man. "Whatmight be the issue of his legislation it was. perhaps, too soon to predict, but almost universal assont had been given to most of his efforts — efforts for the social, moral, and practical advancement of the Colony. Men who had been almost vindictive opponents, now admitted that bin efforts had been for the good of the Colony. Take the old age pension scheme — be could not remember any measure that bad been received with greater, he might almoHt say spiteful, opposition. But the result had been quite frhv reverse of the predic-

tions of its opponents. That meas- 1 ure and its administration were the envy of other States, many of whom were attempting to follow the example of New Zealand. The poor they had always with them, and the > poor must be provided for. They nad seen the failure of the poor laws in the Old Country, but in this Colony they had the aged taking the support the country gave them. He also , spoke of the action of Mr Seddon in regard to the Bank of New Zealand, and the firm stand he took in face of opposition. Probably none of them agreed in all that Mr Seddon had dons, but all would agree that his services to this land hnd been enormous, and in appreciating his energy, courage, and farsighted ability. The Colony had been singularly fortunate in having such a man to carry on Its affairs. He spoke as one who had been in opposition, but who of late years had been able to see the worth of the man they mourned in advancing the progress of the country. In the truest sense he was a patriot, and that he was a great man even his opponents could not deny. Thoughout the Empire there was sympathy with the Colony in its loss, and he felt with their Chairman that they must place on record their meed of praise, and express their heartfelt sympathy with Mrs Seddon and her family in the loss of the most kindly of men, a man adored by all about him, and whose warm heart won the affection of those he came in contact with. He had been instrumental in bringing the interests of New Zealand before the world, and apart Srom the circumstances of the time, which had been favorable, they were indebted to Mr Seddon for taking advantage of them. He seconded and thoroughly supported^the resolution. The motion was carried unanimouly, and in silence.