FRENCH CONSUL’S TRIBUTE.

New Zealand Graphic, 27 June 1906, Page 57

FRENCH CONSUL’S TRIBUTE.

The French Consul (M. R. Boeufve), speaking at the meeting of the local French Club, said: "The sad news of the death of the Right Hon. Mr Seddon has plunged New Zealand into grief—grief which is felt not only in this colony, but throughout the whole British Empire, which is, indeed, shared by the people of every civilised country in the world. The daring innovations which the late Prime Minister has made in the domain of politics have been watched with the keenest interest in every nation where the principles of democracy prevail, and the life-long and devoted efforts which he has made for improving the condition of the humble toilers —efforts prompter! by a generous heart and guided by a lofty intellect —have won for him the admiration and the gratitude of every unbiased mind.” M. Boeufve then referred to Mr Seddon's action in regard to the survivors of the barque Anjou, the Courrieres disaster, and the Tahiti hurricane, and added: “These proofs of his goodness, as well as many others, are deeply graven in my heart, and most truly, most profoundly, do 1 share in the colony’s grief.” Tlie French steamer Briez Huel, which left Auckland on Thursday, took a large wreath of laurels bound with the tricolour, and bearing the legend. “A tribute of respect to New Zealand’s great Premier, from the French Consul.” Captain Audant, commander of the Briez Huel, attended by two members of his crew, intends to bear the wreath himself to Mr Seddon's residence.