THE SEDDON-TAYLOR CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 41, 17 February 1905, Page 4

THE SEDDON-TAYLOR CASE.

The compromise by which the SeddonTaylor case has been settled seems to us a very satisfactory solution of the difficulty. For some time past it has been evident that the issues were so confused by political feeling that it would be almost impossible to get a decision on the merits of the case; and as each party has decided that he can honourably make some concession to the other, the country may congratulate itself that it is not likely to hear much more of an episode that should never have been exaggerated into the somewhat alarming proportions it attained. It must not be forgotten that the imputation against Captain Seddon was made by a man who ha 3 never attempted to conceal his antagonism to the Premier, and who was the head and front of the opposition raised against tie despatch of the contingents during the Boer war. But, however far Mr Taylor's statements might seem to be coloured by political prejudice, it was impossible for Captain Seddon to ignore them. He w*s accused of a military offence, and it was his duty, both to himself and his comrades, to prove that the' charge was unfounded. On this point Mr Taylor's admission is quite conclusive. He confesses that if he had heard the evidence produced in Court he would never have asserted in his speech in the House that Captain Seddon had been eourt-martialled. As is well known, what happened after the Blesbrock Spruit affair was the usual informal inquiry thai, takes place aiter every engagement in which casualties occur. Mr Taylor now admits that there is no evidence to show that Gaptain Seddon was in any w»y censured or criticised adversely; and this dears away any reflection that may seem to have been cast by hie words upon Captain Seddon's military conduct or personal honour.

We have congratulated the general public upon the cessation of what promised to be an interminable and not particularly edifying wrangle; and we have now only to congratulate both parties concerned on having withdrawn from the contest in a manner that reflects credit upon both, of them. Mr Taylor has many faults, but he is at least a fearless opponent, and the admissions that he has made in- Captain Seddon's favour, coming, as they do from a courageous and bitter political partiza-n, will carry far more -weight with public opinion than any ordinary jury's verdict. Captain Seddon, on the other hand, is prepared to believe that Mr Taylor made his unfortunate remarks in the House in perfect good faith, and admits that had he known the exact circumstances of the famous conversation with Mr Ihithie, as well as the fact that there was no other "publication" of the remarks otrtside the House, he would not have felt constrained to bring the action. Mr Taylor may therefore claim to have conscientiously discharged what he believed to be a public duty, while Captain Seddon will feel that, on Mr Taylor's own showing, he is adequately vindicated. On the point of Captain Seddon's conduct at the front it is almost superfluous for us to enlarge. It is obvious that if anything detrimental to Ca.pta.ir Seddon had been disclosed at the inquiry after Blesbroek Spruit, the officers in command would have taken immediate action. It must be remembered that if Mr Taylor's charges had been substantiated they would hare constituted a serious reflection upon the conduct of the officers and men of the Seventh Contingent—a body of troops that played a splendid and honourable part in the midnight 3truggle at Bothasberg a few weeks later. It is even less credible that Captain Seddon, his officers and men, who went through several engagements with great credit to themselves, both before and after Blesbroek Spruit, should on this special occasion play the coward and desert their comrades. Captain Seddon's own personal record in the war—more especially his gallant action in K«?ag under fire to warn bis eomradet after n!« horse had been shot under him—effectually dieprores the malicious fables by which his father's enemies hare sought to injure him. Nor do w* think that in public i-**—"**"* tkees TSfiu and baae-

less rumours will be allowed to outweigh General Babington's approval and the recommendation-for the D.S.O. forwarded to head-quartere by Colonels Bauehope and Porter on Captain Seddon's behalf. Captain Seddon's reputation was safe in his own hands before, but circumstances compelled him to vindicate it publicly, and we are sincerely glad for his own sake and the sake of his distinguished father that he has been able to do so with such signal success.