THE RECORD PREMIERSHIP.

New Zealand Graphic, 27 June 1906, Page 37

THE RECORD PREMIERSHIP.

The year - 1903 marked the completion of the Premier’s tenth successive year of office; and the event was celebrated at Wellington by a great public demonstration in his honour. As this function was distinctly of a national character, and as the report of the proceedings affords a unique opportunity for appreciating the attitude of the Liberal party towards Mr. Seddon, and his own. view of his legislation and policy, we reproduce it practically in its entirety.

The great public gathering organised to do honour to the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, P.C., LL.D., on the occasion of his completing the tenth year of office as Premier of New Zealand, was a notable gathering, both in point of number and of spontaneity. The front of the Opera House on Saturday night was gaily decorated for the occasion with bunting, while around the facade of the dress circle the Union Jack and the New Zealand ensign bordered “ Old Glory,’’ a symbolical prophecy of future relationship. The national flags of Italy and Spain were also given prominence. The stage was elaborately decorated with New Zealand plants and bushes. During the proceedings two flashlight pictures of the gathering were taken. The gathering was representative of all classes. The committee and their friends occupied seats on the stage, and here, also, were to be seen many visitors from the country, who had come down to Wellington specially for the occasion. The Ministry was represented by Sir Joseph Ward, K.C.M.G., the Hon. T. Y. Duncan, the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, and the Hon. James McGowan. The Hon. W. C. Walker, C.M.G., was unable to be present in consequence of illness. The Hon. James Carroll, not being in Wellington, forwarded a characteristically cordial telegram in proof that he was present in spirit. The remaining Cabinet Minister, the Hon. C. H. Mills, was absent on the expedition to the Cook Islands. The Hon. F. H. Fraser, M.L.C., Messrs W. H. Field and A. L. D. Fraser, M.H.R.’s, were in attendance, and Mr John Stevens, for many years the Parliamentary “whip” to the Liberal party, was also present to do honour to his chief. Mrs. and Miss Seddon, Lady Ward and Miss Ward, Mrs and Miss Hall-Jones, and Mrs and Miss Mills all graced the stage. Colonel Bell, Mr. James Coates, Mr. D. J. Nathan and Mrs. Nathan, Mr. R. A. Adams (Pat-ea), and Mr. F. S. Canning (Normanby) were also amongst the group. The guest of the evening was in his happiest mood, and he entered into the spirit of the proceedings with a whole-hearted appreciation that must have been highly gratifying to the citizens who interested themselves in working up last Saturday’s gathering to the successful culmination that characterised it. The occasion altogether lacked any air of formality; it was abundantly evident that no mere lip sei-vice was intended; and the speeches of both the mover and seconder of the motion were terse and telling. The speech in reply by the Premier, vigorously delivered, was cheered throughout by an audience en rapport with the speaker, and the convincing instances which Mr. Seddon adduced of the marvellous progress made by the colony in the last decade were greeted with wannest approbation. Altogether it may truthfully be said that a more successful public function has never been carried out in Wellington. As showing the widespread interest taken in the event, it is of interest to note that Mr. Culver, the secretary, received an enormous number of apologies from friends in the North, many of whom wrote saying that but for the short notice given they would have travelled down to Wellington to assist at the function. Mr. W. H. Quick, chairman of the meeting, said the people were assembled that night to do honour to a patriot and statesman, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon • —(hear, hear) —and to congratulate him on having completed ten years of his Premiership. That record, almost unprecedented, showed this—that during the whole of that time Mr. Seddon had been in contact and touch with the people, and that they had given him their confidence throughout. Mr. Quick did not believe that after all those ten years the confidence of tlie people had abated one jot. Mr. Seddon’s devotion to the country, and his services to the Empire, merited for him a very high place amongst that brilliant list of statesmen who conducted the duties of tire Crown throughout the Dominion. A time would come hereafter when posterity would look upon Mr. Seddon as one of the greatest men New Zealand had ever seen. Ten years had passed by, and in spite of all evil prognostications, what did the people see now? The ship of State had not run upon the rocks; the

country was prosperous, everything smooth; and there was not the slightest doubt that at the present time Mr. Seddon still lived in the hearts of the people. (Loud applause.) An overture of lively plantation airs was played by Jupp’s Band at this stag, of the proceedings, after which the ehairman gave a summary of over one hundred apologies for non-attendance, conveying, at the same time, felicitations to th. Premier. THE RESOLUTION AND ADDRESS. Mr. T. K. Macdonald, who was received with applause, said the eommitte. responsible for this unique demonstration had done him the great honour of inviting him to move the resolution and address, which were as follows: — “ That this great gathering of Liberals, in public meeting asaembled, herewith tenders its congratulations to the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, P.C., LL.D., Prime Minister of New Zealand, on the conclusion of his Ten Years’ continuous office as Prime Minister, and desires his acceptance of the accompanying address: — THE RECORD PREMIERSHIP. To the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, P.C., LLJJ., Prime Minister of New Zealand. Sir, —We desire to tender you our sincere and hearty congratulations on your having completed ten years of continuous office as Prime Minister of New Zealand. During that long period you have been responsible for legislation which has assisted the colony to make a marvellous advance in every direction and add enormously to the national wealth. Never before, in the history of New Zealand has so mueh been done by Parliament to improve the social and moral advancement and material welfare of the people. The extension of the franchise to women in 1893 was a forward movement, which has led other colonies in the same path. The Industrial and Conciliation Act and the Factories Act of 1894 gave to labour an independenc and liberty which has been the theme of commendation by political economists throughout the civilised world. The Government Advances to Settlers Ai t of th. same year inaugurated the new departure of the State lending to its citizens on mortgage moneys at a low rate of interest. This important measure, coupled with the Land for Settlement Act, by which the State took the right to acquire large estates for close settlement, have been the main factors during the past ten years in the great development of the natural resources of the colony. Your courage in asking the people of New Zealand to recognise that the aged who had not prospered in the battle of life were entitled to a yearly pension as soldiers of industry has been amply vindicated. The Old-age Pensions Act of 1898 has proved a beneficial measure of the greatest value to the pioneers of New Zealand, and it has led to statesmen of other lands seeking in its provisions a panacea for the needs of the aged poor of their respective countries. The colony, as well as the shareholders of the Bank of New Zealand, owe much’ to you. Your boldness in placing the credit of the colony behind the bank was a masterpiece of finance, and averted a financial collapse, whieh would hare proved an irretrievable disaster. The farseeing and masterful manner in whieh you handled the Midland railway question not only saved the colony from immense loss, but preserved its honour and reputation. The subsequent treatment of the London debenture-holders of the Midland Railway Company was a proof of the generosity and honourable feeling actuating the Government aud Parliament under your guidance. It is impossible in the brief limits of an address to enumerate the long roll of valuable Acts of Parliament which have been passed during your tenure of office. The unexampled prosperity of New Zealand during that period speaks loudly as to the wisdom and prescience you have shown year by year in guiding th. country in its legislation, and which has done so much to keep- New Zealand in th. forefront amongst the self-governing colonies. During your record Premiership you have represented the colony abroad with conspicuous ability and success. The conference of Premiers in Hobart in- 1897, her late Majesty Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, the first conference of colonial I’rcmien in London, thd*inauguration of the Australian Commonwealth, the Coronation of His Majesty the King, and the second conference of colonial Premiers in London, have all shown your power to deal effectively with great questions of Imperial interest. The statesmanship displayed by you in these matters and in New Zealand’s assistance to the Mother Country in connection with the South African War has carried your name far and wide throughout the Empire. The many honours conferred upon you during your visits to the Motherland have been most gratifying to the people of New Zealand. The distinction of being created a member of His Majesty’s Privy Council, of being- presented with the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh, St. Helens and other towns, of being made a Doctor of Laws of the University of Cambridge and Edinburgh, and a member of the most ancient Guilds of the City of London, is a proof of that world-widie reputation you have attained. We trust that the policy of progress and development for New Zealand, with equal opportunities for every one of its people, which has been the ideal of yonr political life and labours, may continue, and be strengthened year by year. We tender you onee more our cordial good wishes and congratulations, and hope you may be spared to give to New Zealand your wide experience and ripened judgment in connection with her public life.—We have the honour* to remain, Sir, your very faithful friends. Signed for and on behalf of the Great Meeting of the Liberal Party in the Opera House in the City of Wellington, held on the 2nd day of May, 1903.’’ Mr. Macdonald, having finished the reading of the address, said:—“Ladies and gentlemen, is it your pleasure that the address which I have just rend be signed on your behalf by Mr W. H. Quick, chairman of this meeting, Mr T. Kennedy Macdonald, chairman of the General Committee, Mr Edwin Arnold, honorary treasurer, and Sir. W. J. Ciflver, honorary secretary, and be illuminated and presented to Mr. Seddon?” A great outburst of unanimous applause was the answer of the gathering. Continuing, Mr. Macdonald said he might be permitted to say a few words in support of the resolution. When he looked round the great audience in the Opera House that night it recalled to him the scene presented in the same building the night before the great battle in December, 1890, an event that marked an epoch in the political history of New Zealand. Many of those he was now addressing would remember that on that night in 1800 the Liberal party was holding the last meeting prior to the battle of the morrow. The political fate of New Zealand was then trembling in the balance. None of them for a moment thought (hat the morrow would bring so great a victory as it did, hopeful though they were. Well, the country declared that the old-established reign of Conservatism must com. to an end, and that a Liberal Government should take office, a Government that

would repFescnt all dassce and see justice done to all. In a few days the Liberal Government assumed office. Within two years a change came—a change that east a gloom over the whole eolony. The leader was struck down in the fight. Many of his hearers would remember the melancholy procession to the funeral train which went forth from Wellington that Sunday morning, and bore the body of John Ballance to his old home at Wanganui. The exigencies of Government required that a successor of the deceased statesman should be found, and throughout the whole length of that funeral train there was one question on every lip, "Who is to be the next Premier?** The vast majority, as opinions crystallised, said that Mr. tSeddon must take the reins. There were cavillers and carpers at first, but for ten years now Mr.’Seddon had held the office with honour to himself and the people of this colony. The story of his efforts and achievements on behalf of the people of N«fw Zealand was told in brief terms in the address to be presented. There were some others that would bear special attention, events hall-marked in the colony’s history. Mr. Seddon’s devotion to the land and income tax—the tenacity with which he fought to maintain it —had in result done much to benefit the colony. As to the legislation which saved the Bank of New Zealand. Mr Macdonald awarded high praise to the Premier. It was all very well at this time—when the country was prosperous and all was going along well, and all men were making money—but he would tell them that if the Government led by Mr. Seddon had not stood firm as a rock on the Bank of New Zealand question, ruin and disaster would have gone through every family in the land. If, said Mr. Macdonald, Mr. Seddon had done nothing else than this, he would have done a thing that should make his memory live not only to-day. but in the generation to come. Then in the matter of the Midland railway, he wondered how many men knew of the work of the Premier in connection with that question, how he stood at the front and at the back of all the lawyers engaged in that great struggle to extract from the taxpayers of the colony a million of money, more or less. and how he, by the power th"* he possessed, and by the knowledge that he had gained in connection with the question, saved the eolony of New Zealand the w'hole of that amount. (Loud applause.) If any man doubted his statement, let him go to every lawyer engaged in the case and ask him .what he thought of Mr. Seddon and his efforts. Without him the verdict would have been against New Zealand, and the entire colony had .much reason to be proud of a man with the ability, courage, and determination to fight the battle of the people of the colony and to come out victorious. (Loud applause.) Mr. Seddon’s career of ten years as Prime Minister had been a wonderful one in many ways. In some respects it was a romance. He questioned if any man in Australasia, holding the same power as the Premier, ever had the same number of appointments to give away, the same number of gifts in his hands to bestow, and it was a proud thing for him (the speaker) to know that he had exercised that vast pow’er with great honour to himself and great credit — and more than that, great benefit —to this colony. He had heard men speak about Mr. Seddon’s appointments, and speak disparagingly of them; he had heard men sneer at his work, and he had heard them say he was swayed more by personal considerations than by the welfare of the country. He knew something about these appointments, and he said that the statement was absolutely untrue. He remembered on one- occasion when the Premier and he were discussing the public appointment of a gentleman in connection with the colony. The gentleman in question had done Mr. Seddon some serious damage, and he (the speaker) said to him: ‘T think the appointment will be satisfactory; but there’s the personal equation to be considered. He has not treated you well, and why should you give it to him?” As long as he lived he would never forget Mr. Seddon’s answer, and it .was this, “ Macdonald, I have the desire and the welfare of the country first at my heart, and I am big enough to put aside every personal consideration and every personal feeling if I think the appointment is to be good for the people of this colony.”( Loud applause.) The men who disparaged him in connection with appointments were not worthy to wipe the honourable gentleman's boots. [(Laughter.) He wondered how many of them would have been big enough to have taken that view in respect to a personal and political opponent? He had never forgotten that interview. It was stamped on his mind, and he thought it was a great pity there were not more public men holding such broad view of public duty in New Zealand. He mentioned the interview in connection with such matters, because he wanted to do justice to Mr. Seddon, who deserved every good word that one had to say. (Applause.) Passing over the Premier’s visit to the Mother (Country, he would merely say he had been honoured far and away beyond the ordinarv lot of men by men of all ranks and all classes, and the people of New Zealand ought to feel that they were greatly honoured in that, because the honours conferred on their public men were conferred on the whole of the people. They were the hall-mark upon the men and upon the people, and New Zealanders, every man and woman amongst them, ought to be proud of the fact that their ambassador, when he left these shores, had always been received with open arms and great honour by those amongst whom he went. (Applause.) He could not pass over his visit to South Africa without a word. Those who had sons and relatives ■there knew how carefully he watched the progress and career of every man who Went to fight the battles of the Motherland in that country. They knew better than he (the speaker) could tell them, that he insisted on news being sent to this country as to.the doings of every member of the various contingents; and if a lad was wounded, or injured, or sick in any way. his father and mother or nearest relatives were advised instantly about the case. (Hear, hear.) The solicitude and eare he displayed in connection with these lads, sons of New Zealand, could not have been equalled if he had been their own father. Long after he had passed away his memory would be cherished by hundreds of families for the fatherly and kindly interest he .took in those he had been instrumental in sending away. [(Applause.) Mr. Seddon was known far and wide throughout every part of the civilised globe. . He was now known as an Empire-builder. The.speaker was amused a few nights ago. when he.opened a letter from. Colombo from a lady who was a passenger by the steamer, Bremen. She said, “.We had an amusing experience the other day. A large number of so-called ethergrams were posted on board the ship as items of great news to passengers, and amongst them was. this: ‘King Edward has created the. Right Honourable the Premier, of New Zealand Lord Ktunara.’ [(Laughter and applause.) The German captain and officers and crew all thought the honourable gentleman was quite entitled to be made a. peer of the -British realm’.' —and so, the speaker had no doubt, he was. Well, such-a reputation.even on the high.seas, the reputation which he enjoyed in every city, and every town of the United Kingdom, the honours conferred upon, him, were all proofs of the great estimation in which he was held. No man of tire whole of the self-governing colonies that went to England received so much attention and.so much-honour ae the New Zealand Ambassador. (Loud applause.)c “ We. very gladly—and, I say Me, Liberal party of New Zealand—join, on the close of ten yearshis

Premiership, of his office •as Prime Minister, in -eonveving to him our siueera congratulations, and our hope that he may continue for many long years yet to rule over the destinies of this country and to carry them forward with the same energy and ability and benefit as he has done in the past. (Loud applause.) I have very much pleasure in moving the resolution and the address which I have just read.” (Applause.)

Dr. Findlay, LL.D., on rising to second the motion, was greeted with applause. He said he had been watching the Premier as he listened to the speech of' Mr. Macdonald, and he looked like a man who was listening to his health and benediction being performed on a cathedral organ. His voice was not a cathedral organ, and he thought he might merely say a fervent “ Amen ” to what Mr. Macdonald had said of the worthy man whom they were there to honour. A great Shakespearian woman had said of husbands. “ It’s not a year or two that tries a man. You want longer.” (Laughter.) And the same applied to politicians, particularly to them. A wife who had borne her husband's name for ten years could tell all the thoughts he had, and a great many that he had not. (Laughter.) And the democracy that had had Mr. Seddon before its eyes for ten years had done the same thing. That honeymoon which followed the first placing of a politician over the great House of Parliament was a very nice time. He was on his best behaviour then, trying to live up to expectation. He lived on the credit of promises, and of the great reputation he was going to make. But that eould not last long, as any other honeymoon could not. It had to go —(laughter)—and Mrs. Democracy woke up to the fact that she had not the prize she expected to have. He had not fulfilled her expectations or even lived up to his own promises; and so it was that the occupation of Cabinet rank was so brief in these young colonies, or in any democracy. But they had the fact before them that Mr. Seddon had occupied the position of Prime Minister for ten years. In the life of a man that was a long time. In the life of a Cabinet it was a cycle. They had to celebrate that night a record for the whole world in democratic countries, the fact of one man's holding the helm of State for ten years unbrokenly, and with uniform and continuous success. (Applause.) He had been tried by time, and had had upon him the fierce light which beat upon those in high places, and every weakness had been brought out. He remained to-day the same strong, patriotic, unpretentious Richard John Seddon that he was ten years ago. (Applause, and a voice: ‘‘Amen.”) He would not be long. They were there, he took it, to honour the man, if not to praise his performances. They were public property. They all knew of them, and could give him credit for them, but they were present as his friends, to speak to him they admired as a man. There was the great human side of his character that won admiration and affection. Below all his successes and his failures —as his opponents would call them —there remained that true man whieh had been unspoiled by prosperity and unembittered by abuse. (Hear, hear.) His had not been a life of praise. No man would say that for the last ten years he had been fed upon the praise or the adulation of the multitude. He knew that the prominence and permanence of his position would somehow earn him not always thankfulness, but even carping contention and criticism, and at times calumny. But surely, with the record of the last ten years behind him, with the’ prosperity of the country, the thousands who owed their well-being to his reforms, and over and above all to him, would forget his critics and his foes. (Hear, hear.) The only charge that eould be made against him was that he had too soft a heart. (Applause.) From some knowledge of Mr. Seddon, he felt'quite sure he was utterly unfitted for any judicial position on the great day of judgment. (Applause, then laughter.) He would conclude by saying—and there was not one man who could put aside partisanship and party feelings who would not join him —that the deeds, not the words, of the last ten years in the career and achievements of Mr. Seddon were the most eloquent and conclusive testimonial which they could give him. (Loud applause.) He had but to point to all that had been done in the last ten years for every class in this great colony to find ample warrant for every word in the address. (Loud applause.) Mr. T. B. Williams said that he came from Wanganui, the district which returned the late John Ballance, Mr. Seddon’s predecessor in the office of Premier and Leader of the Liberal party. That evening they had the special privilege and right, through him (the speaker), to convey to the Premier the hearty good wishes of the Liberals of Wanganui. -.. . Mr. John Stevens, ex-M.H.IL, tendered Mr. Seddon his best wishes for his future prosperity. This, he thought, everyone believed the Premier was entitled to, whether they agreed with him politically or not, as a gentleman and as a man of ability, one of the greatest public men that the Southern Hemisphere had ever seen. (Loud applause.) The audience would agree there were many in the colony who should be thankful to him for the masterful way in which he dealt with the finances of the country, and so averted a disaster similar to that which happened in Victoria. He asked them to throw politics aside, and to honour the man because of his works. (Applause.) THE PREMIER. The Premier, on rising, was received with tremendous and continued applause, the vast audience rising en masse, and cheering. He said he felt that for the moment lie was unable to do that which they expected of him. He did feel honoured at being in the presence of such an audience and at receiving at their hands the great reception and demonstration accorded. (Applause.) There was always a difficulty in speaking of one’s self or what one had done, and if in the course of his address he was forced to speak of himself, he asked them not to take it that after ten years of office he had become egotistical. On the contrary, he felt then more humbled arid less capable of doing justice to that great people and to those present than he did on the day he assumed the Premiership of the country, (Applause.) j. ..... It was a great honour to have received on that and : the preceding day telegrams from all parts of the colony, including some from leading men who yet congratulated him-to-day—men who at the time would, if they'eould; have sent him to-political perdition;-- (Laughter.) One telegram he had received tlAt"night was indicative of the many he had received: “Delighted that yotir signal services to the colony have been so justly praised as to establish you our Premier in perpetuity.” -' There-was a time when he (the-speaker) railed’fat’the Continuous Ministry, but time was having its revenges, 'lf they only 1 looked at some “Hansards,” and read what was said against continuous Ministries by-the gentle-man-who-sat there for ten years, he did not know-what he could ' answer,' except that he wasthere.by the-Will of the people, andwhat the people willed should M done. (Applause:). - =>• -n. t*-* tv-• t.