DEATH OF THE PREMIER, THE HON. R. J. SEDDON.

Waikato Independent, Volume IV, Issue 238, 12 June 1906, Page 5

DEATH OF THE PREMIER, THE HON. R. J. SEDDON.

DIED AT SEA. A PEACEFUL END. WIDESPREAD SYMPATHY. [BY ELECTRIC THLKGRAI’II—COPYRIGHT | (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) (Received June 11, 11.58 a.m.) Sydney, June Jl. The Eight Hon. 11, J. Seddon died at sea yesterday. IjATKH. The Premier died of heart failure at 9 o’clock last night. (Received June 11, 12,46 p.m.) A most profound sensation was caused in the city when the news was posted that the Oswestry Grange was returning to port wifely her flag half-mast, and that Mr Seddon had died suddenly. The water police launch has gone down to the vessel. There are no particulars till she leturns. Later Particulars. (Received June 11, 4.7 p.m.) Sydney, June 11. t Complaining of tiredness, Mr Seddon did not rise till about noon yesterday. During the afternoon he appeared languid, apparently suffering from a slight stomach trouble, but nothing serious was anticipated. The end came with terrible suddenness. He was seized with a faintness and gradually became unconscious. The doctor was called, and remedies were applied, but they were all unavailing, and he died in Mrs Seddon’s arms. After a consultation, it was decided to return to Sydney. The vessel’s head was turned thitherward. Mrs Seddon is bearing up well. Messages of condolence are pouring in from all quarters, including the Gover-nor-General, the State Governors, and Sir William Lyne, on behalf of the Commonwealth Government. It is expected the body will be embalmed in time for the Oswestry Grange to resume her voyage at six to-night. (Received June 11, 5.8 p.m.) Sydney, June 11. After lunch, Mr Seddon slept for two hours and on awakening, appeared to be greatly refreshed, excepting once or twice when he complained of a pain in the shoulder which had troubled him earlier in the day. Just before dinner, at 6.20 he was lying on a couch, fully dressed, and was seen to sink backwards in a fainting condition. Mrs Seddon and the Private Secretary (Mr Andrews) were the only persons present. They went to his assistance. A few seconds afterwards Mr Seddon breathed his last, apparently without suffering. Strict reticence was observed on the arrival of the vessel by the request of Mrs Seddon, who wished to first communicate with her daughter, Mrs Dyer, who had remained in Sydney. Everywhere, the flags arc half-masted ■ and there are general expressions of ’ sorrow. Mr Carruthers, who an interview with Mr Seddon on Saturday at noon. He noticed Mr Seddon appeared to be tired on Saturday and asked him what sort of a trip he had through the Southern States. He replied that it was a very good one, excepting at Adelaide, where he felt unwell. During this forenoon the members of Mrs Seddon’s staff saw Mr Carruthers, and expressed Mrs Seddon’s wish that there should be no public action taken here. Directly he heard the news, Mr Carruthers communicated with the Gover-nor-General, and the State Governor, expressing the general feeling of sorrow that pervaded the whole community Asked if he would say anything regarding Mr Seddon’s career, Mr Carruthers replied ;—“ The whole thing is such a shock that one is pretty well unnerved. To me it seems such an awful thing. Only on Saturday, I went to him, shook hands, said good-bye, never thinking it was a life farewell. It is too y great a shock to speak now. The loss of a man like Mr Seddon at any time would be a public calamity, but when it occurs under the circumstances like the present it is a public shock. Mr Seddon came here for rest, but it was apparent to us all that he worked very hard and probably the strenous life he has been living the last 16 years has brought about his untimely death.” The evening papers published early editions and appreciative notices of the deceased statesman.

(Received June 11, 10.9 p.m.) Svnxiov, June 11. Mr Seddon went down to bis saloon half an hour after sailing and retired to his berth immediately, obviously very tired, having spent a busy day. On Sunday, after his afternoon sleep, he appeared refreshed, but a few minutes afterwards, he had a recurrence of the symptoms that had shown themselves in the morning, but in a more aggravated form. He was treated by Mrs Scddon and Mr Andrews, seemingly with good effect, for he conversed with them on several public and private matters in which they were interested. Then, suddenly, just at twenty-five minutes past six, he gave a short gasp, spoke a few words to Mrs Scddon and collapsed. It was supposed that he had fainted. l)r Minchin was hurriedly summoned, arriving in a few moments. xlc saw that the great New Zealander was dead from failure of the heart. He said there had been no struggle and no pain. Mr Seddon lay there in his cabin seemingly asleep as calmly and peacefully as a child. The blow to Mrs Seddon, and to Miss May beddon and Mr Stuart Scddon, who accompanied their parents, was a terrible one. Their sudden bereavement has been iven added poignancy by taking placeg while away from the other members of the family and out in mid ocean. Little over three weeks ago they landed with their father at Sydney, amidst a great popular ovation, of which they were pardonably proud. To-day they returned on a murky drizzling day, bearing his body. Their experiences arc indeed tragic and pathetic. THE LATEST. (Received June 12, 12.21 a.m.) SvnxEV, June 12. The Oswestry Grange experienced fine weather from the time of her departure till her return. The vessel may get away at eleven o’clock. The Sydney Licdcrtafel at its practice to-night carried a resolution of deepest sympathy with Mrs Seddon and family. As furthermore sympathy, they sang Sir Arthur Sullivan’s part song “The Long Hay Closes.” It was suggested to Mr Carruthers that the Oswestry Grange should be escorted to New' Zealand by warships. He communicated with the Governor, but owing to the Admiral being at sea and other vessels of the squadron being scattered, it was impracticable to do anything with such short notice. Mkluouknk, June 11. Mr Alfred Heakin, Federal Premier, intimates his intention of adjourning the House to-morrow out of respect to Mr Seddon. He will then take the opportunity of delivering an eulogium. The Senate meets on Wednesday, and it is expected that that Chamber will also adjourn. The Age, referring to the death of Mr Seddon, says : “ To write to-day that Mr Seddon is dead is to say that in the midst of the busiest of his life came to him death. The last month of his life had perhaps been a pageant of his successes. A man of his calibre cannot come and go as other men do. A Labour member shouted to him on Friday last, “ You arc the greatest figure in the British Empire.” That perhaps w r as a daring flight, but he certainly stood out on Australia’s horizon very much distinguished amongst his peers. For him there was no rest or cessation. His active parliamentary life would have tried a young and vigorous man. There is no doubt that Mr beddon was composed of qualities that go to make great men. He wielded the destinies of New' Zealand with a facility that showed him to be born ruler. No other New Zealand Premier could stand even a poor second to him in breadth of outlook and capacity of seeing before and after. Had his lot been cast in the Prime Ministership of an Imperial circle, he would probably have been as distinguished there as he is in Australasian politics.” Bkisiuxe, June If. The Courier, in a leading article, says Mr Seddon was one of the most conspicuous figures the Empire had ever known and there will be the keenest regret at his passing away in the fullness of his years’ usefulness, not only in English-speaking communities, but in all free countries to whom his name was a symbol of enlightened progress, Mr Seddon belonged to no particular school of political thought and would have been the last to attempt todefine his opinions in scholuristic terms. Like Mirabeau in France, and Bismark in Germany, he did not allow theories to stand in the way of practical reform, which plain facts showed to be necessary for the welfare of his people and the development of his country. By passing away New' Zealand loses the finest statesman she ever had, and the Empire one of her grandest sons. To-morrow merning’s Haily Mail in a leading article on Mr Scddon, will say that Mr Scddon, like his former revered chief, John Ballancc, died in harness. He has been privileged to pass away painlessly and suddenly while his popularity is at its zenith, despite the indications that he had begun to distrust the ultility of some of his owm legislation, for Mr Seddon w : as one of those wdio not only grow mentally, but is not afraid to revise

tlicir opinions. During the last seven years labour legislation had had a rest and Mr Soddon more than once cautioned the extremists against pushing their rights too far. Mr Seddon’s land legislation was important, perhaps more so than labour legislation. Melbourne, This Day. The Age says that amongst the many farewell telegrams that Mr Seddon sent to Melbourne from Sydney before embarking on Sunday evening was one to Mr Bent, containing the words, which proved to be prophetic—“ Leaving tonight for God’s own country.” We have since, we hoped, heard of his arrival there. (Ueccivcd -lime 12, 8.10 a.m.) The Argus publishes a lengthy culogv of Mr Seddon. London, June 11. All the evening papers publish appreative notices of Mr Seddon, THE OSWESTRY GRANGE LEAVES EOR WELLINGTON. Received 2.7 a.m., This Day. Sydney, June 11. The Oswestry Grange (putted her moorings at 11.30 p.m. on her mournful voyage to Wellington. A wreath from the State Government went aboard tire Oswestry Grange with the following inscription: “ New South Wales mourns with New Zealand for her illustrious dead. ’ A FAREWELL MESSAGE. Sydney, June 0. Mr Carrutbers telegraphed to Mr Seddon : “On behalf of myself, colleagues and the people of New South Wales, I wish you and your family a safe return and continued prosperity for your loved land. Your sojourn in this State and the Commonwealth is recognised as effecting a better appreciation, if that were possible, between the people of the same kindred and possessing one common destiny.

U'KR I‘RIJSS ASSOCIATION) Auckland, This Day. It is understood that Parliament will meet as originally summoned on June 17 and it is probable that an adjournment will then bo agreed to in order to enable the actual work of the session to be prepared. Wlllington, This Day. Numerous messages of sympathy and condolence at the death of the Premier were received by the Governor (Lord Plunkett) from Australia. The Acting-Prcmicrscates Mrs Seddon and family are very grateful for the innumerable messages of sympathy they have received. Mrs Seddon will reply to them personally on her return home.

THE NEWS IN CAMBRIDGE. The distressing news of Mr Soddon’s sudden death readied Cambridge shortly before 1 p.m. yesterday, and an “ extra” was immediately issued from the Independent office. Little knots of people gathered in the streets and discussed the sad event. In a number of cases, the shops were closed and business temporarily suspended. t At the Post Office, District High School. Eire Brigade Station and also from many of the business places fk' T s were flown at half-mast. The following telegram was forwarded by the Mayor (Mr W. F. Buckland), on behalf of the townspeople to the ActingPicmier (Hon. Mr Hall Jones) yesterday afternoon: “ Kindly convey my deepest sympathy to Mrs Seddon and family. National loss.” The Mayor (Mr W. F. Buckland) received the following reply this morning from the Acting-Premier. ° “'I thank you for telegram of syml pathy. The mourning will be imive'rsafoi the irreparable loss of New Zealand’s greatest statccman and one who devoted his life to the welfare of the Empire, the land of his adoption, and humanity.” Messages of condolence were also sent by Mr H. J. Grecnslade, M.H.R., the secretary of the Cambridge branch of the Liberal-Labor Federation, and others. When the conference of delegates met at the Farmers’ Club rooms last night to discuss the requirements of the district with Mr 11. J. Grcenslade, M.H.R., the chairman (Mr R. T. Tudchope) referred to the calamity that had overtaken the colony, and he thought that out of respect to the late Premier they should adjourn the conference. He moved the following resolution “ That owing to the sudden death of the Premier, this meeting adjourn until the LSLh instant, and in so doing, it desires to express its extreme regret at the sudden and unexpected demise of Mr Seddon, and instructs the secretary (Mr E. Vcalc) to convey to Mrs Seddon and family the deepest sympathy of the meeting in their sad bereavement.” Mr John Fisher seconded the motion. He said the news had come with startling suddenness and he was sure that poisons of ali shades of political opinion would join in tendering their sympathy to the relatives of one who had for so many years been such a power in the land.—The resolution was carried in silence, and the meeting adjourned. The Borough Council offices were closed yesterday afternoon, out of respect to the late Mr Seddon. Mr 11. J. Jeffries, postmaster, Cambridge, received the following communication from the secretary of the Telegraph Department, Wellington, last evening; “Hon. Mr Hall-Joncs, Acting-Premier, requests that you announce to the public by notice at your office and in

every way possible that the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, Prime Minister, died suddenly on board Oswestry Grange, at 9 p-in., on 10th June. The steamer returned to Sydney to announce the sad event.”

Mr Jeffries also received the following Rom the Acting-Premier:—“lnform heads of all Government Departments in vicinity that Government offices will be closed to-morrow, and further that only urgent business is to be done until the day of the funeral, when offices are a«ain to be closed. This docs not apply* to post and telegraph offices.”