PRESENTATION TO PREMIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 385, 9 April 1902, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO PREMIER.

A GREAT GATHERING.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, last night. There was a tremendous gathering at the Canterbury Hall to-night, when some 3000 people, including a large proportion of ladies, assembled on the occasion of the presentation of an address to Mr Seddon, prior to his leaving the colony to attend the Coronation ceremony. The Mayor, Mr A. E. G. Bhodes, presided. Among, those on the platform were Sir John Hall, Sir Joseph Ward, Hon. Jas. Carroll, Hon. W. C. Walker, Bishops Julius and Grimes, and a large number of local notabilities. The Mayor explained that the address was incomplete as far as signatures were concerned, many districts ' having still to send in their lists. These would on arrival be hound and forwarded after the address in proper form. Sir John Hall presented the address. He spoke very briefly, commending the Premier for. his untiring energy in the Imperial policy, stating that though political differences existed, in the matter of unity of Empire the colony was as one ; it recognised no party, and no power. Speaking of the final settlement of the war he declared that there must -be a basi3 of absolutely unconditional surrender. The Boers rnusti be granted no constitutional ; rights. till their loyalty had been emphatically demonstrated and proved. In . presen ting the address he intimated that it would be followed by a purse of sovereigns of substantial nature,, a large amount made up of many small'amounts. The returns In connection with this Were not yet made'iip either. • •• •Messrs G: G: Stead and T. W. Stringer also spoke briefly; in a commendatory strain of the Premier for bis ' quick grasp Of the situation, and hjs liye Imperial jioircy at a time’when the attitude of the colonies waS' of’ importance'” in the National crisis.

' All the speakers pointed to the repre sentative attendance ’as evidencing the colqnial'natvire p’f the presentation; Tho'Prehiier, in responding,''urged that ho had only done his obyious duty. ' Every man, woman, and'child in the colony had been at bis baelj supporting }?ma, and when he had the initiative he had bqei) strong in the conviction that the Imperial spirit of the colony would back him to the extent of the last penny and the last man in tho country. The colonies had acted nobly, and their attitude had done much to convince other nations of the unity of the Empire, and to restrain intervention. He was proceeding to refer

to the visit Home, ana too uemus oi iue suggestions to come before Premiers CbriTprbPcc. " He'thanked fiipm for their kind present pud the address, which strengthened him on his departure. He was going Home not as tho representatn e of a party but as the representative of the whole colony, and intended to make that clear at Home,

The meeting was wildly enthusiastic ihroughout. Apologies for absence and greetings :rom all ends' of the colony poured in.