The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 21, 1902. OPINIONS DIFFER.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 346, 21 February 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 21, 1902. OPINIONS DIFFER.

The proposal to present Mr Sedilon with a testimonial prior to his departure for England to attend the Coronation celebrations has had the effect of showing how varied are the journalistic opinions in this colony. Probably that independence of tone is a good sign, and shows that New Zealana has a free and unfettered press, but at the same time it is a pity that there should beany marked difference o! opinion if it is to be understood that the testimonial is to he free from the taint of party politics, and to practically convey the sentiments of the people concerning the action of the Premier in the despatch of the contingents. New Zealand has certainly taken the lead in all these matters, and -it seems very stale news indeed to read in the cable messages day alter day reports of patriotic meetings anu resolutions of indignation about Continental slights. The people of New Zealand took up the matter when it was warm, and passed resolutions at a time when they were likely to be most effective, and we iiave no doubt that they did have some effect in toning down the offensiveness of the Germans. The latter are practical business men, and they know full well that commercial reprisals would not he to their interest, no matter how hard they could hit back. Reverting to the proposed testimonial to the Premier, we find that most of the city papers cordially support the movement, while some journals are rather bitter about it. Certainly wu have not yet heard any satisfactory reason given why the testimonial should take the form of money, as we assume that the colony will still he. Called, on to pay the cost of the trip -it would never be so mean as to refuse to do that. The Lyttelton Times and Auckland Herald heartily approve of the national movement. The Times says “ The idea is to make Mr Seddon a substantial presentation purely in recognition of his courage, energy, and wisdom in giviiig effect to the desires of the colony to help the Motherland in South Africa. We need scarcely say liow heartily we approve of this national movement. Local tributes to Mr Seddon’s promptitude and ■patriotism will be warmly appreciated by him we know, but 100 such local demonstrations could not have the fervour and moral effect of a combined tribute from the whole colony. New Zealand was, not actually the first to offer the Mother Country assistance, but when colonial offers were accepted .it was- due to Mr Seddon’s energy as Minister for Defence that the New Zealand Contingent was the first direct colonial contribution to the Empire’s forces to land in South Africa. From that time the colony lias never faltered in 10s adherence to the cause of Imperial unity, never hesitated to send more men to the front, not so much with the idea of strengthening the fighting forces, though our men are admittedly among the most useful in the field, as for the purpose of proving its firm loyalty to the Empire. There should he in this matter absolutely no question of party politics, as. Mr Seddon’s merits as Liberal leader are not involved.” The Hawke’s Bay Herald chimes in in rather a querulous fashion “ W’hile Mr Seddon deserves well of the colony is a whole, with the necessary reservations, and of his party in particular vitliout any reservations at all, it ioes not follow that we can regard he present demonstration as justified. I appears to us that the Premier is il-advised to foster the movement. Tfere is surely something undignified in'the spectacle of a Premier of a colon; travelling round froyi town to tow. receiving purses of sovereigns at eaclt halting place. Were Mr Seddon g, po>r man, who had been called upon to mur expenses to which ms means' wee inadequate, we could understand the movement. Or were he about to retie from politics we can imagine that the proposed presentation would lw n proper place. But Mr Seddon is gtiierally supposed to be well to do, if f not a rich, man, as colonial foGmes go. He is notoriously living vpi within the income which Parliment allows him. And he has been v

grated a very handsome allowance in collection with his proposed visit lime.” The Christchurch Press, a leding Opposition journal, declares : N<v Zealanders entirely approve the pyriotic attitude which the Premier ha observed throughout, party politic might well lie laid aside on this joccsiou, and all Imperialists might 'joi: hands in recognising Mr Seddon’s got work in this connection. Conlidtce is expressed that the movement wod he made a great colonial success and so not only strengthen Mr Sfc.(ion’s position as representative of i.he colony at the King’s Coronation, f-ucjive additional'evidence, if any v crcneenJu, t!T !" j the mtingents and in patriotic ucw ! fioiin the cause or the Empire, the I Goveiment of New Zealand have a I unite people at their hack. For our- I selve we have differed, and still dif-

fer, idely from Mr Seddon on most questms of colonial politics, hut we haveieen strenuous supporters of his Impealistic policy. The Press was the fet paper in the colony to urge that lore men should lie sent to the front, fr.om New Zealand, and was succeful in eliciting a really remarkalie :pression of public opinion in favonf this view. From the outset of tli war we insisted, in spite of sucerand ridicule from those who accusi us of 1 peiuiy-a-lining, 1 that it

marked a crisis in the [empire’s fate, and that it behoved us all to stand shoulder to shoulder in the Empire’s cause. It was a source of great gratification to us when we found .Mr Seduo’i taking the same view. We realised that he might, as Radical Premier, easily have declared himself against tiic war, anu at that time, when the issues were not su well understood as they are now, he might have got a good deal of support. It is to his tredit that iie took a wider and more patriotic view, with results that we believe have been beneficial not only !o New Zealand but (o the Empire. It is only right that his action on file question should be publicly recognised, and we hope, therefore, that, the movement for a presentation will be a great success. It must, be distinctly understood, however, that, it is kept tree from party lines, and that it is intended to express approval of Mr N'cddon’s Imperialistic policy." The hater sentence of the article should warmly commend itself to all There is no doubt that the stand taken by New Zealand will keep our Premier prominently in the foreground during the Coronation ceremonies, and it is to he hoped that the testimonial will he a general and hearty one in recognition of the Imperialistic policyadopted.