H.—33

1907. NEW ZEALAND.

DEATH OF THE EIGHT HON. R. J. SEDDON. (CABLEGRAMS AND LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE SENT THROUGH HIGH COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE.) [In continuation of H.-28, 1906.]

Sir,— Westminster Chambers, 13 Victoria Street, London, S.W., 30th June, 1906. I need hardly say with what deep concern I received the cablegram of the 11th instant from the Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones, reporting the death of the Eight Hon. R. J. Seddon. The news was a great shock not only to New Zealanders who were in this country, but to a very large section of the people of the United Kingdom. I enclose herein typed copies of the many letters and telegrams of sympathy which I have received. I send them in duplicate, as you will no doubt like to hand one set to Mrs. Seddon, who will be sure to appreciate them. Many of them I have already cabled to you. I also attacli a copy of a touching letter of regret from the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain. As you will doubtless have gathered by cablegrams th'roiigh the Press, a memorial service to the late statesman was held in St. Paul's Cathedral on Tuesday, the 19th instant, and was very largely attended, the large number of seats reserved for colonist's being well filled. I enclose some copies of the specially printed form of service, and a very large file of newspaper cuttings. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, New Zealand. W. P. Reeves. Dear Mr. Reeves,— Highbury, Birmingham, 11th June, 1906. I have seen with deepest regret the news in the paper this morning of the sudden death of my friend the late Prime Minister of New Zealand. I have ventured to cable a short message to Mrs. Seddon, but desire also through you, as the official representative of New Zealand in this country, to express my keen sense of the loss the colony has sustained by the death of its able and patriotic leader. On the various occasions on which I had the pleasure of meeting him I formed the highest opinion of his ability, courage, and devotion to the interests of New Zealand, while I had full opportunity of recognising his far-seeing appreciation of the privileges and responsibilties of the Empire in which he so earnestly desired that New Zealand should take her appropriate place. At the time of the South African War he was the first to appeal to his fellow-colonists to give a practical proof of their sympathy with the Mother-country in her time of trial, and he induced New Zealand to offer a larger material assistance l>oth in men and money than any other British colony in proportion to their wealth and population. The spirit which moved him then is to be found in almost his latest spoken words delivered at Sydney just before he sailed for what has proved to be his last voyage. During his long conduct of affairs the colony has made splendid progress in all that constitutes the true μ-icnlness of a people, and his friends looked forward to a continuance of his valuable life as a guarantee for the further advancement of the interests to which he had devoted himself with so much energy and power. The Empire has lost one of its noblest citizens, the colony a great administrator, while in our personal capacity Mrs. Chamberlain and 1 sincerely deplore the death of one whom we were proud to number amongst our friends. I beg you to acoepi the assurance of our most heartfelt sympathy with his family, and with the colony which he served so well. Believe me, Yours very truly, J. Chamberlain.

2—H. 33.