BUSINESS AND PLEASURE.

New Zealand Graphic, 27 June 1906, Page 43

BUSINESS AND PLEASURE.

At Adelaide Mr. .Seddon, as usual, mixed business with pleasure by negotiating for a reciprocity treaty with South Australia; and he was back again u: Mclbourna on May 30th, ready for anything and everything that might befall. Me had a very important conference with Mr. Deakin on the question of the New Hebrides, and his outspoken assertion of colonial rights in connection with matters of Imperial, policy won him hearty applause from the Australian press. Addressed by a deputation as “one of the strongest men in the British Empire,” our Premier fully justified his reputation in a speech that will live long in the memory of our friends over the Tasman Sea. “It was received,” says a correspondent of the Dunedin “Evening Star,” with approval in all quarters. The “Age” and “Argus,” usually opposed on all questions, agree in their views on Mr. Seddon’s deliverance. “For his vigorous and fearless speech on this question,” says the “Age,” “Mr. Seddon deserves the thanks of the Commonwealth. There was no paltering with the facts. In his address no consideration was paid to the feelings of highly-placed imperial blunders. He went straight to the point, and with admirable directness he tore aside the diplomatic veil which has hitherto cloaked the movements of the Imperial authorities in their dealings with the New Hebrides, and revealed the culprits who are responsible for the mischief that has been done.” The comments of the “Argus” are in a similar strain. “Mr. Seddon,” it says, “is too pronounced an Imperialist for his attack on Downing Street methods to be classed with the carping criticism of those who are for ever seeking to belittle the Motherland and its Government. His vigorous remarks will find a ready response in the hearts of loyal Australian*, because they appeal to the patriotic'instincts of an Imperial race. Mr. Seddon never hesitates to put his own views strongly and persistently before the Colonial Office. He has been blamed for his assertiveness, but possibly lie has hit upon the only means of quickening the torpid imagination of British officialdom.” The proposals for reciprocal trade concessions between New Zealand and Australia, and also the readjustment of the navigation laws and the Naval agreement, were considered in conference between Mr. Seddon and the Federal Premier, and we may anticipate the order of events by observing that the successful completion of a reciprocal preferential agreement with the Commonwealth was the last, and not the least, of Mr. Seddon’s political triumphs. Another function of exceptional magnitude awaited him in the form of a dinner tendered by the Victorian Government, at which practically all the members of th* Legislature appeared. Mr. Bent, the Victorian Premier, declared that no other man who had ever visited Australia had been so honoured: and, indeed, no.sticl) universal testimony of regard and admiration as that which Mr. Seddon received on his lust journey has ever been paid in these colonics to anyone but those of Rojal blood* On June 3rd the Premier visited Ballarat, and the account of the proceedings there is so charaoterislric of the ready adaptability of the man, and so, splendidly illufi* trative of his kindliness of heart, as well as bis earnestness of purpose, that Wfi quote it in full. - < ... > ■ < . «>.