Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1901. THE PREMIER PREMIER.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 30 April 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1901. THE PREMIER PREMIER.

The Bight Hon. R. J. Seddon tomorrow will have been Premier of the most progressive colony under British dominion —and when we say this without being charged with what the Americans term " spread-eagleism," we may say the most progressive country so far as legislation is concerned on the face of the earth —for eight years. And it is pleasing to know that he will spend his anniversary on the West Coast,, and among people who entertain a warm feeling of personal friendship, quite apart from any political significance, for him. Of all the Premiers in selfgoverning colonies, Mr. Seddon now stands first, in point of seniority, as indeed he does in force of character and personal ability. Of those Premiers who figured at the Queen's Jubilee there remains in office but New Zealand's Premier and Mr. Laurier of Canada, the other nine having disappeared from office. And the significant part of the position is this : That after eight years service Mr. Seddon to-day stands a stronger man, in public estimation than at any period of his remarkable term of office. His legislation is equally remarkable. Scouted and ridiculed as Socialistic, as Eupotian, at first; it was watched with curiosity, then with interest. Soon political economist began to study his problems, to admit that there might be goodness in them. Gradually it dawned on them that there was good. Cautiously at first other Governments hinted at similar measures; gaining confidence they tried them; found they tended to the welbeing of the community; and now New Zealand and her legislation is held to be worthy of following by colonies conservative in tone, and is even being advocated in the Mother Land. Putting aside all narrowness, our Premier deserves well of the colony, and the public men of Greymouth might well to-morrow take advantage of his pros-' ence in our midst to oiler him their hearty congratulations.