PREMIER TESTIMONIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 348, 24 February 1902, Page 1

PREMIER TESTIMONIAL.

Tho Napier Telegraph states :—To come straight to the main point, it appears reasonable to hold that unless the testimonial is to be objected to ou the ground that testimonials generally are vicious in principle— a question, of course, requiring discussion on its merits—there are not only no grounds for attacking this particular testimonial, but there are grounds for supporting it for tho reasons set out by its promoters. Those are briefly, that it is intended to mark the enthusiastic patriotism of the Premier in regard to the war, and that his departure from tho colony to be present at the coronation provides a fitting occasion for making tho presentation. The latter goes without saying if tho former is admitted. Wo suggest, without in the slightest degree challenging the patriotism, the good faith, or the liberality of those who will for various reasons decline to assist tho project, that its promoters are able to make out a very good case. It would be impossible to praise too highly the conduct of the Premier in regard to tho war. It ha 3, indeed, been said that ho but adapted his own views to those of tho general public, but that is by no means a fair statement of the position. When as a result of his initiative New Zealand was first in the field with colonists under arms, there were many who assumed that a section of Mr Seddon’s political supporters would desert him, or at least condemn him, for his action. Throughout ho took the responsibility of proposing, and although he rightly asked members of the House for their views, it cannot be. said that he waited to see which side of the fence it would bo “ prudent ” to alight on. He has behaved splendidly from a patriotic point of view (as have also _ Sir .Joseph Ward and the other members of the Ministry) and if the colonists choose to recognise this by a testimonial to their head we see no reason to object.