The Star. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1902.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7330, 17 February 1902, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1902.

THE SEDDON TESTIMONIAL. It is »ot easy to follow the arguments urged in opposition to the .proposal to present the Premier with a national testimonial on the eve of his departure for England. They are based on the assumiption that whereas ifc would be perfectly proper to enter.taini Mr Seddoa at -banquets innumerable and social gatherings galore, it would be unseemly to arrange ai national testimonial. We confess that we cannot see the difference. If Mr Seddon's services- to New Zealand are deserving of any recognition ;at all, it surely savours of lair-splitting to assess the mature Of that recognition in the way certain of the Premier's opponents have chosen .to assess it! For our part we fail to see "why the proposal should have met with any opposition. It is admitted by even the rnoet inveterate enemies 6f the Premier that his attitude over the , South African war and other Imperial questions deserves the very highest praise. Not only has it been of immense «er.vice to the Empire, but, looking at it from the sordid standpoint of self-interest, it has been worth a great deal to New Zealand 1 . In 'return for his services, Mr Sodden has received nothing more than he would (have received if lie 'had contented himself with following in the footsteps of the most unenterprising of his brother Premiers. It is true, of •course, that his was not inspired by the hope of personal gain, and that -be has .never so much as hinted that he would accept any reward. But that is no reason why he should be denied the gratification of receiving some recognition of the part he has played during A momentous period an the history of the Empire. The present movement is not a political one ; in fact, many of its promoters have been careful to disclaim any sympathy with Mr Seddon on questions of domestic politics. Under these circumstances, ifc i 9 hardly creditable to the opponents of the proposal that they should not have taken a brooder view of it. .