SEDDON TESTIMONIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 359, 8 March 1902, Page 3

SEDDON TESTIMONIAL.

MEETING AT GISBORNE,

A public meeting was convened for last evening to consider what steps.should be taken towards joining in the testimonial to the Bight Hon. B. J. Sodden, prior to his visit to England to attend the Coronation colourations. There was a poor attendance at the uieeeting, which was held in McFarlane’s Hall. His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. TownJoy), who was warmly applauded, occupied the chair, and explained the object of the meeting, which was convened in response to a requisition from Mr E. P. Joyce and 134 others, presented at the last meeting of tho Borough Council. The Mayor, who read tho requisition, referred to tho importance of tho proposal. The event the Premier was to take part in was of great moment to the Empire. It would be such a meeting as had never been held before. There would be the coronation of the King, and tho great meeting of statesmen to discuss questions concerning the Empire. Our Premier had nover lost a chance of bringing the colony to the fore, and on his mission he should have their greatest support. As to the presentation, no one was required to give ; that proposal had evidently come about without the Premier being consulted, but he had many warm friends who would do anything thoy could for him. They knew that the Premier was free hearted and free handed, and ho was certain would not desire that tho occasion should be taken advantage of for his pecuniary benefit. Those who did not care to subscribe might yet liko to sign tho testimonial. In Gisborno they wore now starting the movement. Ho now called on Mr Joyce, whoso namo had hoaded the requisition, to give his ideas on the subject, but ho warmly urged that Gisborno should support tho movement. (Applause,) Mr Joyce, who was received with applauso, said they had noticed that the proposal had been received rather silently by the local bodies, and one Councillor, Cr Mossman, had roforred to the Premier in a way that was not respectful. (Hear, hoar.) Though isolated in Poverty Bay thoy had people as loyal as in any other part of New Zealand. (Applause.) Mr Seddon was a man who deserved to be honored, and in elevating himself had done honor to the colony and to the Empire. His deeds had been of great bene- * fiitrto the colony. He was to the fore when contingents were required, and considering tho circumstances he was a man who was surely entitled to be honored. When Mr Seddon wont to the Jubilee there was not a more maligned Premier, but going to tho Coronation, by tho invitation of the King of the largest Empire on the face of the globe, there was not a man more respected or honored. Ho had brought the colony from poverty to plenty, and rising from tho ranks himself he had by his wit, cloverness, and wisdom made this colony the most honored of all. The great statesmen specially singled out Mr Seddon, and the great soldiers, like Lord Kitchener, specially singled out the New Zealand soldiers sent by Mr Seddon. For what thoy might term his “miraculous” work Mr Seddon was fully deserving to bo honored; as a law-giver ho was being copied by all others, and in the invitation ho had now got from the King they should . give him special honor. Ho moved: — “ That this meeting of citizens and residents of Poverty Bay heartily endorso tho action takon in the larger centres in recognising, prior to his departure for England, the national servicos of tho Premier ; that immediate steps be takon to join such movement, and that a committee bo sot up for that purpose.” This movement was not intended as a money-getting affair, but that they should take part in a national testimonial. To this district ho had given four commissions—Lieutenants Arthur, Trotter, Langford, and Bees. Tho speaker concluded amidst warm applause. The motion was seconded by Mr W. L, Bees, who expressed regret that thore were so few presont, but he attributed that to the putting in the foreground the money proposal. He felt sure that those who had doue.that would not have done so if they had thought of tho effect it would >have; but they must accept tho pro- ~ posals which wore put before them, and look upon them as New Zealanders worthily represented by Mr Seddon. Ho did not think anyone could find fault with the resolution moved by Mr Joyce. Putting aside all party spirit, and standing as people of New Zealand to express national thought and feeling, Mr Seddon’3 unselfish work must commend itself to all, except to those few who because a man comes out from tho rank by his energy, courage, and wisdom, would make the man a target for attack. Few as were present they represented the district. The object for which they had met was to give honor where it was due, and to show that Mr Seddon would go forth with their full support as a New Zealander and an Imperial Briton. They wero asked to go beyond all local feelings, and do credit to themselves by supporting Mr Seddon at tho great meeting to which he was going. The speaker went on to allude to the great impoitauce of that great gathering in England, when the representatives of five continents would be brought together to discuss matters for the welfare of the Empire and for tho happiness of the people of the world. Such a meeting had never before been seen upon earth. They should send Mr Seddon forth, having behind him a united phalanx,as true to their colors as wero those New Zealanders who wore fighting in South Africa. (Applause-) The people of this district should for his services to Now Zealand and other portions of tho Empire, join- in a movement that should be a united one, and have their heart and voice and hand. (Applause.) They should join with all tho other centres of population in New Zealand in sending Mr Seddon Homo, backed up and sustained by their respect, friondliness, admiration and cheers—the heartfelt cheers of the people he represented, who would watch him when he was far away, who would judge his actions as wise men should, and help him to take a still higher stand in the building of nations than ho had already achieved, and that he would do by tho samo good feeling, bluff honesty, determination, backbone, and courage, aud the samo wisdom -J. to discern what was right, aud to do it as Bichard Seddon had done it from the commencement of his Parliamentary experience, and especially since he had had the honor of being one of His Majesty’s Ministers and Premier of the colony of New Zealand. (Applause.) He had many times had occasion to differ with Mr Seddon, but he could heartily respond to the call upon him as a citizen to take part in this movement, and recommended it to his fellow colonists with as much conviction as he had over made any recommendation to them. He would be pleased to do anything he could to help it. (Cheers.) Mr B. N. Jones, who was warmly applauded, said he considered this one of the occasions when every citizen should come forth and take their part in the move- | ment. Thoy wero sending to another part of tho world a representative of the colony to take part in a great function, and ho should have their hearty support. Ho would have liked to have seen the members of all tho public bodies present to give their share of praise, and by their support to add to the prestige of the departing representative. When Mr Seddon went Home to the Jubilee celebrations all parts of the colony joined in saying farewell to him; party politics were for the time eschewed, as they simply regarded Mr Seddon as the colony’s representative. ' On this occasion they should heartily join ; n supporting him on his mission. The

speaker then referred to some of the greni services rendered by Mr Seddon, and the national spirit that ho had shown in performing national duties—national duties which called for the support of tho people whom he was going to represent in :fhe Motherland. (Applause.) The motion was carried unanimously, with much applause. The appointment of a committee wa3 then proceeded with. The Mayor and Messrs B. P. Joyce, \\. L. Bees, W. Webb, Sheridan, K. N. Jones, Birrell, John Somervell, T. Kitckie, J. H. Ormond, W. J. Hennessy, all who had signed the requisition, and members of the County and Borough Councils and Harbor Board were appointed a committee, with power to add to the number. Übe meeting concluded with a vote of inks to tho Mayor. V meeting of the committee was then .dd T’he Mayor was appointed chairman

of the committee, and Ml - .John F. Sheridan secretary. It was decided to draw up an address for which signatures are to be sought throughout the district. With regard to the subscription list started in other centres, it was agreed to leave that to those who cared to volunteer contributions.