RICHARD JOHN SEDDON.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1926, Page 7

RICHARD JOHN SEDDON.

TRIBUTES TO HIS MEMORY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night; On the twentieth anniversary of the death of Richard John Seddon, a gathering of hie friends and admirers took piaee this morning at the foot of his statue in Parliament Grounds. There was a large attendance, including the late Mr. Seddon’s relatives, members of Parliament, and many friends, especially West Coasters, old and young. In the course of a short address inviting the Hon. R. McKenzie to lay a wreath on the monument, Mr. J. J. McGrath , said that for twenty'years since the death of the late Mr. Seddon, his friends and admirers had assembled to show their admiration and respect for his memory. The speaker apologised for the unavoidable absence of Sir Joseph Ward (who had cabled from Sydney) and Sir James Carroll. The Hon. R. McKenzie said they had met again to mark their respect’ to the memory of Richard John Seddon, and also to show their appreciation of the magnificent work he did for the people of this country. For many years to come Mr.' Seddon would be remembered as one of the great men of the Empire. .8w heart was always with the working — „..J with the poorer sections of the community, and his aim was te improve their conditions. If Mr." Seddo? had done nothing else than pass the old Age Pensions Act, which had been copied by many other countries, he would have left a great record behind him, but he was responsible also for the passing of many other statutes of a humanitarian nature. The speaker briefly sketched the life of Mr. Seddon and spoke of the farm affection wbl-’, always existed between him and the old West Coasters. Sir R. McKenzie then laid a wreath at the foot of the monument.