Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1887. THE PREMIER'S RETURN.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9239, 10 September 1897, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1887. THE PREMIER'S RETURN.

The return of the Eight Hon. E. J. Seddon, P. 0., the Premier of the colony on Wednesday, after a short absence, during which he has visited the Old Country, and taken part in the now historical celebrations in honour of Her Majesty's record reign was marked by the people of Wellington in extending to him a most enthusiastic welcome back. It must be remembered that Wellington is not by any means a stronghold of Liberalism, but on the contrary largely Conservative. We mention this merely to show that the demonstration was not a mere party affair, but on the contrary a general acknowledgment that the Premier had right worthily represented New Zealand at Home, and done good service to its people by making its resources, commerce, and general attractions better known in the Old Country than they had hitherto been. There was a pnsilanimons attempt, it is true, on the part of a few of Mr Seddon's most bitter political enemies— we do not believe he ha* any private ones— to throw cold water on the affair; but theie efforts only made their propounders ridiculous!; and left them standing snlky ana mnoticed at a time of general congratulations. Mr Seddon can well afford to , smile at such puerile and ineffectual attempts in belittle himself and his high office, and congratulate tifmßelf on the undoubted fact that his trip Home has, so far from proving injurious to either himself or his colleagues, had an exactly opposite effect. His welcome^ back oa in whichjpeople of all shades of political opinion took part was proof that the small-minded tactics of Mr Duthie and the select band of Oppositionists with whom he is allied, were 4 not only abortive, but in the nature of a ridiculous fiasco. How much more honorable and common sense was the action of the Mayor of Wellington, Mr H. D. Bell, who, though as strongly opposed to the present Government and its Premier as any of those who tried to belittle Mr Seddon, rose superior to party jealousies, and, aß,a public man, fell in with the proposal df his fellowcitizens to do honor to the Premier on his return to the colony from a most successful mission to the Mother Country. Prom all parts of New Zealand Mr Seddon was inundated with congratulatory telegrams of welcome, and must feel to-day that to live in the hearts of the people is some reward for all the hard work of the past few years and its attendant fatigues and annoyances. Having failed to spoil his reception on his return, Mr Seddon's enemies are now circulating canard* to the effect that there is a split in the Cabinet over Mr Ward's re-election and other matters. This is 'an old [ tarrididdle, as every year the present Government has been in office the same false -rumours of dissensions among them have been circulated by the Opposition, with whom the wish is evidently -father 'to the thought. That it is so in this instance we are fully convinced, as it is impossible that- there could have been any difference of opinion between the Premier and his. colleagues, yet on- the subject above mentioned. The Minister of Lands' continued bad health is seked upon by the Opposition as proof of Mr McKenzie's desire to either rule th,e Cabinet or 'leave it, but it is certain theie is nothing in the ill-natured rumours so industriously circulated anent his not being willing to remain in office except as leader of the Government. That he may have to retire either permanently or temporarily, on aocount of illhealth, is probable. When he does,' the Government will lose, one of its most useful members and the colony the services of an able legislator and administrator, whose land policy has done bo muoh to enable the people to make homes for themselves and their families.-"' 1