MESSAGES TO MRS. SEDDON.

New Zealand Graphic, 27 June 1906, Page 47

MESSAGES TO MRS. SEDDON.

The following telegrams, among others, were sent direct to Mrs. Seddon:— ' MR. CHAMBERLAIN. . „ 11 “Deeply regret irreparable los» tp yourself and New -Zeahtml.'' Birmingham. i . . , EARI. MEATH. “Deepest sympathy. Imperial loss. . Received his kind let U r cn Monday• JSarl Meath, Codaiming. LORD STRATHCONA- . .. “Lady Styatlieonij and I deeply regret your bereavement, and you and th* memliers of your family have our heartfelt sympathy io jour great StnfltfceM*,London.,; t a.-.-vre ~| .1

PREMIER OF CANADA. “ Allow me to offer you the sincere expressions of my condolence in the bereavement which has so suddenly fallen on you. Your sorrow will be shared by millions of men all over the British Empire.**—Wilfrid Laurier, Ottawa, Canada. FROM LORD NORTHCOTE, GOVERNOR GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH. •'Dear Mrs. Seddon, —Will you permit me to associate myself with my wife in conveying to you and your family expressions of our deep sympathy with you all in this the deepest trial that can befall us on earth. It had been a real and great pleasure to me to make Mr. Seddon’s acquaintance, to hear his broad and statesmanlike views on many public questions of importance, and to entertain the hope of becoming acquainted with him in the country he has served so long and so well. The hearts of all Australians will go out in sympathy to you, and I can only trust that you will in time to come find comfort in the thought that you have for so many years been the nearest and dearest helper of a man who has rendered the lot of so many of his fellow-men a brighter and happier one in the world. With renewed expressions of sympathy, I remain, most sincerely yours—Northeote.” FROM LADY NORTHCOTE. “My Dear Mrs. Seddon, —This moment I have heard this terrible news, and I write at once to express my deep and sincere sympathy with you in your overwhelming sorrow. I cannot tell you how truly ami deeply I sympathise with you. Written words sound and read so cold, but I am sure you will realise how full my heart is with grief for you and your family. Only this morning I received such a niee letter from your husband. Alas’ only too well I know how everyone in such trouble is. and feeling that true sympathy never comes amiss, therefore I hare ventured to write to you. —Yours in deep sympathy, Alice Northeote.” EARL CARRINGTON. ‘ Deeply regret to hear of the death of my very dear friend- Accept our deepest sympathy.”—Earl Carrington, London. FROM SIR HARRY RAWSON, GOVERNOR OF NEW SOUTH WALES. “Dear Mrs. Seddon, —No words I can write can tell you of my deep sympathy with you and yours in the terrible loss yon have sustained, but when time has in come way softened the blow, you may be glad to feel how universal is the sympathy with you and New Zealand in the loss of such a man, whose personality was so great, and who did so much for his country. Believe me, in deepest sympathy, yours sincerely, Harry H. Rawson.” FROM MISS RAWSON. “Dear Mrs. Seddon, —I feel I must send you a few lines to express my deepest sympathy with you and your daughters in your overwhelming sorrow. We who have so lately been through such great sorrow, too, can the more deeply feel for you. It is always so hard to express all one wishes in a letter, but my sympathy is most true and sincere.—-Alice Rawson.” MR. DEAKINS ELOQUENT MESSAGE. Mr. Deakin, Prime Minister of the Australian Commonwealth, sent the following message to Mrs. Seddon: —“I have learned with inexpressible amazement and grief the terrible and unforeseen misfortune that has overtaken you, and. with you, the people of Australasia. "The Ministers of the Commonwealth, on behalf of all its citizens, deeply lament our deprivation of one who, by his devotion to his country, his earnest patriotism, and unswerving self-saerifiee, made himself known and appreciated throughout the whole Empire. “At this moment it is impossible to do justice to the claims he established by a long life, bravely spent up to the very moment of his decease in the publie service. His statesmanship, force of character, remarkable foresight, and sound judgment enabled him to retain power for a long period, and to employ his great abilities without stint or interruption to the lasting benefit of his fellow-citizens. “Unhappily, as it now appears, though seeming to accomplish his tasks with inexhaustible energy and unfailing powers, he did so at the cost of the premature close of his strenuous life. “His recent visit to Australia, and the elose personal relations which it renewed between himself and many of us, further contribute to enhance the public regret, in itself poignant and profound. “His warmth of heart and wealth of nature endeared him alike to those who were privileged to meet him personally, and to scores of thousands who honoured him as the gallant standard-bearer of a wise and progressive policy of humanism. “To you and your household the shock is so overwhelming that it must be beyond any consolation we can offer. Nevertheless, the sympathies of our whole people go out to you in your affliction, with the hope and prayer that in the mercy of Providence you may all be enabled to sustain the grievous weight of this personal and national calamity.’* FROM SIR SAMUEL WAY, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA. “Lady Way and I are full of grief at your dear husband’s death—a calamity to New Zealand, the Empire, your family, and yourself. Pray accept our profound Sympathy with you all in the death of our dear and valued friend.—B. Way.” MR. JOHN P. BRAY, AMERICAN CONSUL-GENERAL. “On behalf of my Government, I tender you sincere and heartfelt sympathy.—• John P. Bray.” FROM MR. IWASAKI, ACTING CONSUL-GENERAL FOR JAPAN. “Dear Madame, —I was shocked beyond measure to hear the sad news this morning of your terrible and irreparable loss. The suddenness of the stroke which has at once deprived you of a loving husband and the world of one of its most prominent statesmen, must intensify the feeling of universal sympathy which such an event would have provoked, even had it been under less distressing circumstances. Pray accept my most sincere and heartfelt condolences.—l. Iwasaki.” Among the messages received there were communications from the State Premiers, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, Mayors, public bodies, clergy, and leading citizens in all the cities—all coached in sympathetic strain. Several of these have already been cabled from Australia. MESSAGE FROM THE HIGH COMMISSIONER. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, High Commissioner, cables from London: “I am desired, by Lord Onslow to convey to Mrs. Seddon his deep regret at Mr. Seddon’s death.” Cabling in his own behalf, Mr. Reeves says, “I need not say with what deep ■arrow I have received the news of the death of our old friend and chief. He died as he lived like a brave man, not sparing himself, and working to the last.”

The Chairman of the Manchester Ship Canal has cabled to the acting Pi emien “The Chairman and Directors of the Manchester Ship Cana! tender sincere condolences with New Zealand's people, and with Mrs. Seddon and her family lg their irreparable lose.” GENERAL BOOTH. ” My deepest sympathy is with you and New Zealand in this sudden and groat bereavement. Mr. Seddon loved and laboured for, and now he has died in the service of, his beloved land. From the time we first met he was my unfailing friend. God be with New Zealand.”—General William Booth, London. FROM THE “OSWESTRY GRANGE” PASSENGERS. A letter was received by Mrs. Seddon from the steerage passengers on the “Oswestry Grange,” signed by sixty-nine of their number. This was as follows:— “We beg to offer you our most sincere and heartfelt sympathy in the terrible loss which you have sustained through the sudden death of your beloved husband, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon. We cannot but express our deep regret that such an event should have transpired on board during this brief voyage.” This message touched Mrs. Seddon very mueh, and at her request the passengers were assembled by the captain and addressed by Mr. Andrews, the late Premier’s private secretary, who gave them Mrs. Seddon's sincere thanks for their expressions of sympathy with.’ her. OTHER TRIBUTES BY CABLE. “ My deepest sympathy with you.”—John Wood, Mayor of Wigan, Lancashire. “ Profound sympathy from St. Helens.”—Martin, Mayor of St. Helens, Lanca* shire. "Deepest sympathy from North of England Association.” —Kimberley, South Africa. “ For the Borough Council and people of Kimberley, I offer sincere sympathy; to yourself and family on the decease of your husband, whose death I regard as a national loss.”—Mayor of Kimberley. “Deepest sympathy for self, family, and New Zealand people.”—Cohmel and Mrs. Dalrymple, Johannesburg. “Admiration for a great man prompts our deepest sympathy.”—New Zealand Club, Pretoria. “ Navy League deeply sympathise and deplore a great Imperial loss in its New Zealand president.”—London. “ On behalf of the House of Assembly, I beg to tender you and your family sincere sympathy on the loss of the Right Hon. Richard Seddon.”—Jenkin Coles, Speaker, Adelaide. “Deepest sympathy.”—Constance Gaskell, Dungannon, Ireland inee Lady, Constance Knox). “ Most deeply grieved. Heartfelt sympathy.”— Lady Ranfurly, Dungannon, Ireland. " Sincerest sympathy.”—Dudley Alexander, Dung-mnon, Ireland. “ Deeply sympathise with you and yours and the Empire's loss.'*—Viscount Kelbum. London. “I beg to inform you that the House of Representatives at its meeting this day passed the following resolution:—That this House places on record its profound regret at the untimely decease of the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, and expresses its deep sympathy with his family and the people of New Zealand? The House then adjourned out of respect to Mr. Seddon’s memory. May Ibe permitted also to tender my sincerest sympathy with yourself and family.”—F. W. Holder, Speaker, Federal Parliament House, Melbourne. “ The citizens of Brisbane are in heartfelt sympathy with you and family iw your great affliction.”—John Crase, Mayor. “Accept sympathy.”—Douglas McLean, of Hastings, London. *’ Our sympathy.”—J. P. Luke, Penzanee. Mr. Justice Williams, of New Zealand, also cabled expressing deepest sympathy. MESSAGE FROM MRS. SEDDON. The Acting-Premier handed the following statement to the Press:—"'Mrs. Seddon requests me to eonvey her grateful thanks for the many sympathetic messages which have reached her in Sydney from New Zealand friends. She will reply to them personally on her return home, but for the present she is too overwhelmed with grief to be able to do so. Miss Seddon and other members of the family now in Wellington wish me to thank the people for their expressions of sympathy with them in their bereavement.” His Excellency Lord Plunket also received the following cablegrams of eondo lance:— From Lord Northeote, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia:—! “Have heard with the deepest regret sad news of Mr. Seddon’s death. All Australia mourns the great loss New Zealand has sustained, and offers expressions of profound sympathy with family of deceased statesman.” From Sir Harry Rawson, Governor of New South Wales: —“Deeply sympathise with Government and people of New Zealand in the sad death of Mr. Seddon.” From the Governor of South Australia:—“ Extremely sorry to hear of the death at sea of your Premier, who recently visited Adelaide.” From the Governor of Queensland: —“Sincerest sympathy front myself, rov Government, and people of Queensland for great loss sustained by New Zealand.” From the Governor of Victoria:—“On behalf of the Government and myself I desire to express to your Excellency and to New Zealand our deepest sympathy in the great loss occasioned by the death of Mr. Seddon, who has been so recently amongst us.” From Cardinal Moran:—“Catholics of Sydney convey sincerest sympathy and condolence to the Government and people of New Zealand in the irreparable loss they have sustained by the death of their great Premier.” His Excellency also received by cable messages of condolence from the Netherlands Consul, Prahran; from Herr Paul Von Buri. Consul-General for Germany for Australia; the Mayor of South Brisbane; the Chairman of the Town Board of Devcnport, West Tasmania. The following messages were received by the Acting-Premier:— .From the Hon. J. H. Carruthers, Premier New South Wales:—“On Ix-half of the people of this State, I wish to tender to New Zealand’s Government and people our profound sympathy in great loss sustained by the death of Mr. Seddon.” From Hun. Tuos. Bent, Premier, Victoria:—“ Accept sincerest sympathy in great loss which New Zealand has sustained by the sad death of Mr. Seddon.” From the Hon. Thomas Price, Premier of South Australia:—"This Government regrets to bear of the sad death of your Premier, and desires to express the deepest sympathy with you and your people in your great affliction.’*

From the Hou. Newton Moore, Premier, Perth:— “Ob behalf of His Excellency the Governor, Admiral Bedford, members of Ministry, Parliament, and people of West Australia, desire to extend oar sympathy in the great national loss New Zealand has sustained in the death of your Prime Minister, Mr. Seddon.” The Acting-President of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce:—“The Sydney Chamber of Commerce deeply sympathise with the people of New Zealand in the sudden decease of the Right Hon. Richard Seddon.’’ From J. M. Hyde, President of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce;—‘‘Newcastle Chamber of Commerce deeply sympathise with New Zealand in its national loss by death of Premier.” From Chairman of Stock Exchange, Melbourne:—“The Stock Exchange of Melbourne in meeting assembled deplore the irreparable loss sustained by New Zealand and the Empire through the death of Mr. Seddon.” Also, from Mr. Luke Murphy, Mayor of Bendigo; Mr. Theodore Bruce, Mayor of Adelaide; the French Consul, Auckland; the Lord Mayor of Sydney; the Mayor of Ballarat; the Hon. Mr. Evans, Premier of Tasmania; the Mayor of Perth, Mr. Sydney Stubbs: Mr. John Sweeney, Mayor of Port Adelaide: from J. L. Johnston, Mayor of Boulder, West Australia; Mr. Lynch, Mayor of Yass, New South Wales; and many others. The City Council of Sydney, on the motion of the Lord Mayor, carried in silence * resolution expressive of Mr. Seddon’s splendid services to New Zealand, Australia, and the Empire. THE GOVERNOR OF QUEENSLAND’S EULOGY. In the course of laying the foundation-stone of the new grandstand of the Queensland National Association, the Governor (Lord Chelmsford) said he thought it was only right and fitting that be should say something with regard to the great loss which New Zealand and the bereaved Empire had suffered in the death of Mr. Seddon. He was an elemental force in New Zealand, and he was one of those who had been described as one of those — "Which stood four-square to all the winds that blow.” And he was a man — “Whose life was work, whose language rife With rugged maxims hewn from life.” He felt in making this passing allusion to Mr. Seddon that they in Australia would feel that the death of Mr. Seddon was a loss not only to New Zealand, but to the Empire. FROM SIR JOSEPH WARD. The Aeting-Premier received the following cablegram from Sir Joseph Ward ■t London: —“The awful news of our dear old chief having passed to his long home comes as a stunning blow to me. His colleagues will feel with the people of the colony that a great and good man, who worked with unflagging zeal for the country he loved, being taken from them, removes the most striking figure in colonial publie life. The grief of his dear wife and family will be tempered with the knowledge that the hearts of the people of New Zealand will go out to them in the unprecedented trial they have to bear. —J. G. Ward.” Sir Joseph Ward also cabled as follows from London to the Mayor of Hokitika: “The hearts of the people of New Zealand are saddened by the removal of the representative of Westland from the control of the colony’s public affairs. The Empire, whose interests were ever uppermost in bis mind, will feel the loss of Mr. Seddon’s powerful advocacy of its welfare. Among those who will miss his great publie figure most will be his steadfast friends of Westland. The miners have lost a true friend and ehampion, and all classes will join with me in tendering his wife and family their deepest possible sympathy.” FROM THE ACTING PREMIER. The Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Acting-Premier, telegraphed to the Mayor of Hokitika and Westland County Chairman as follows: —“I thank you for your telegram of sympathy. The mourning will be universal for the irreparable loss of New Zealand’s great statesman, and one who devoted his life to the welfare of the Empire, the land of his adoption, and humanity.” The Acting-Premier forwarded the following reply to a message of sympathy •ent by Mr. E. B. Alexander, secretary to the Auckland Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association: —“I thank you for telegram of sympathy. The mourning will be universal for the irreparable loss of New Zealand’s greatest statesman, and one who devoted his life to the welfare of the Empire, the land of his adoption, and humanity.” MR. CARROLL’S POETIC MESS A-. The Hon. James Carroll, Native Minister, wired from Auckland to Mr. A. L. D. Fraser, M.H.R.. of Napier, at present in Wellington:—‘‘My friend, our parent lias responded to the final call. He has gone, falling at the hands of the sole arbiter and vanquisher. Go you ,the guide of the canoe of destiny, the anchorage ground of tribal welfare. Go by the paths trodden by history worn by the illustrious dead. To ns alone is the valley of sorrow. Enough, friend, we bow to death, yet in this death we find a weaving influence, an influence that binds, and bids us be stronc. Differences and divergences of yore should pass away, and in their place there should arise a monument to our dead, the lesson from which should be a new horizon, the horizon of great works. No more sacred shrine could be erected to speak of him who sowed the seed.” FROM NEW ZEALAND TO AUSTRALIA. The Acting-Premier cabled to the newspapers of Australia:—“On behalf of the people of New Zealand I thank Australian friends for the many kind messages of sympathy in our great and irreparable loss caused by the death of the Right Hon. Mr. Seddon. The hospitality and courtesy extended to him during his recent visit was appreciated by this colony, and his last work was intended to draw closer together the people of Australia and New Zealand. This country has lost a great and good man—Australia has lost a sincere friend. —Wm. Hall-Jones.”