THE CORONATION VISIT.

New Zealand Graphic, 27 June 1906, Page 36

THE CORONATION VISIT.

The details of the Coronation visit at Home are, on the whole, similar to those already narrated on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee. Immediately after his arrival, Mr. Seddon gave public expression to his belief that a triennial conference of Imperial statesmen would meet the needs of the Empire; and he further committed himself to the support of the Preferential Trade policy which was then already dividing England into two hostile camps. At the New Zealand dinner, where he was accorded a magnificent reception, he reasserted his faith in Imperial Reciprocity. The national and commercial unity of the Empire continued to be his main theme throughout his visit. At the Conference of Premiers, Mi'. Seddon onee more towered high above the rank and file of his colleagues; and in the estimation of the British public he became more than ever the centre of attraction among the many honoured' guests of the Old Land from across the sea. “When in London in the Coronation year, Mr. Seddon stayed at that huge caravanserai, the Hotel Cecil. He drove about London in a Royal carriage, and the scarlet livery of the King was worn by the coachman and footman. In the Strand, Hyde Park, or in Piccadilly, Mr. Seddon always commanded attention when driving. His photographs in the picture shops and magazines and newspapers had made him somewhat familiar to most people, and hundreds of men in the course of his drives would raise their hats as be passed, although they knew no more of him than hearsay, while they had not a glance to spare for some dusky Oriental potentate glittering with diamonds. Two sentries always stood at the door of the wing in which Mr. Seddon’s rooms were situated at the Hotel Cecil, and their presence never failed to prompt the inquirv of the curious as to who was staying within.” But it was not only among the people that Mr. Seddon commanded attention and respect. His audienee with the King and the many public signs of honour lavished upon him gave rise to many circumstantial reports as to his further advancement. “At different tunes during his visit to England it was rumoured that Mr. Seddon would be offered a peerage in recognition of his patriotism and valuable services to the Empire, the case of Lord Strathcona being cited as a precedent. According to one rumour he was to be ‘Baron Seddon of St. Helens,’ and another report was that he was to be ‘Baron Seddon of Kumara in the colony of New Zealand.’ It was also predieted that Mr. Seddon would receive an Imperial appointment in South Africa, the post suggested being that of successor to Lord Milner as High Commissioner. It was stated that the King was anxious to include the name of the New Zealand Premier in the list of those who were to be the recipients of Coronation honours, and that His Ma jesty personally pressed upon Mr. Seddon the acceptance of a titular distinction, the title offered being a baronetcy. Mr. Seddon, so it was reported, explained that he did not feel at liberty to accept a title, having declared that he would return to New stood, were in substance accurate, and the following comments upon him seems worth preserving:—But Mr. Seddon had no intention of severing his connection with the land of his adoption, or of separating himself from the rank and file of the people through whom he had risen to greatness. Just before he left New Zealand, he had been asked if there was any probability that he would accept an Imperial appointment if it were offered elsewhere. His answer was—“My home is New Zealand, and I intend to live and die there. My place is as loader of the Liberal

forty, and I shall not desert them till they tire of me.” And so he came back to ■a plain “Diek Seddon,” but with his prestige vastly enhanced by the importance of the part he had played at Home, and by his rejection of all honours that might have Kerned inconsistent with the principles of so stalwart a Democrat.