"DICK SEDDON."

Observer, Volume XXIII, Issue 3, 4 October 1902, Page 11

" DICK SEDDON."

There's aland — perhaps you know it — it is called for short N.Z., With a people patriotic to the core, Where the rights of women- flourish, and where temperance is said To be commoner than bolts upon a door. When the stranger, seeking knowledge, tries to find the master hand, With embarrassment I feel inclined to redden, As they rise and point, with feelings that one can't misunderstand, To their Maori, Kauri, flowery Richard Seddon. When events of great importance happen in the Motherland, Who is it sends Australia the news, To keep her people up-to-date, and let them understand How provincial and contracted are their views ? When the war in vict'ry ended, though the chances seemed but few, As the clouds of fate o'erhead were dark and leaden, I was modest in my bearing when they said the credit's due To the Maori, Kauri, flowery Richard Seddon. When they spoke of empty titles (knighted l>y the King's command), Were they startled by my wish to countermand 'em ? When they said I had my mind made up to subjugate the Rand, Did they not, to put it mildly, speak at random ? Could the wealth of any country, or the wish to buy and sell My affection for my kingdom ever deaden, Or could any other title fit the wearer half so well As " the uncrowned King of Maoriland, K. Seddon"? — Melbourne Punch.