MR SEDDON IN SYDNEY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 395, 21 April 1902, Page 2

MR SEDDON IN SYDNEY.

GREAT RECEPTION,

KAPAI ” THE KING

A LOFTY SPEECH

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright.

S'Y DNE v, April 20

Tne troopship Drayton Grange entered harbor shortly alter two o'clock yesterday afternoon, and was berthed at Sydney at four o'clock. The Warrimoo, outward bound for Wellington, went alongside the vessel at the heads and took off mails from the Premier and contingent. The Drayton Grange proceeded up the harbor amid a serenade of vessels and harbor steamers. Mr O’Sullivan, Minister of Works, boarded the steamer and welcomed Mr Seddon. The Premier and troopers had a pleasant voyage across. One horse died.

Forty-eight .stowaways were found after leaving Wellington. Thirty were enrolled.. The remaining eighteen were either unfit for service or were under age, and will be returned to Wellington.

A brilliant gathering attended a banquet at the Hotel Australia in the evening, under the auspices of the B.rt Company and the Houlder Company, to welcome Mr Seddon.

Amongst those present were the HonSj Barton, See, Wise, O’Suitivan, Keid and Lyne ; and Mr James Mills. Mr Cox was Chairman.

Messrs Barron, See, Lyne, and Wise eulogised Mr Seddon, who was presented with a bouquet on behalf of the shipping companies who tendered the banquet.

It may ue mentioned that Dut for the companies forestalling them me Government Of Lew South Wales had inienued to give a reception lo Mr Seuuou.

Mr Wise cuaracterised Mr Seddon as a gieat who not only represented imperial interests, uul represented tne democracy. He would ngutq in jungi'isn History, as one wno helped 10 mane the mripiie a uvjug reauty 4

Mr Seddon had a great reception, rising ro respond amiust snouts ui Irapar tile rviilg." Mr seuUuii saiu ihat such a gathering was not a personal nouor, uul at Honor to ms colony, wiaeu was ever luenuly to Australia, lie Hoped .mat tne irfciuuiness would continue ,n tne in teres is of noth, .Whatever uil'txences of opinion-might exist betw.uu tiie statesmen of Australia as po, ( t,cians and r\ew Zealand could uol destroy our friend snip pegotten of Uni.rid They were largely identical, and their nrst duty was to .work together tor the common good. For the ume Being Few Zealand had to work out her own destiny, but they would ever look with friendly eye on Australia. He trusted that for .tne present they snould have reciprocity. reprisals a The question was—- . Who will hold out .the olive branen?’’ Lew Zealand is prepared to do so. hour years ago a law was passed permitting reciprocity with .South Aus. traiutj He had been too long a pui> Jic man to lie drawn on the Pacific Island question, but New Zealand’s policy for the last thirty years had been a desire to see the British Hag over all of them. They had felt that .foreign possession cannot be otherwise than inimical to British interests. Australia would find when they came to discuss the question that it would not be discussed as to how it affects Australia or New Zealand, but how it affects the British Umpire. He protested against being used by, New Zealanders (Australians ?) as an instrument of torture to pin prick the bederal Government on various matters, Because one happened to have tendered a contingent Before another was nothing to cavil at. He gave a denial to a statement about sending a horde of to settle the war, but reiterated his remarks about kid-glov-ed methods of war. The Federal Ministry telegraphed to Mr Seddon sympatny in tne railway accident to the soldiers in South Africa. Mr Seddon was not aware of hire disaster before leaving Wellington. Mr Seddon conferred with Mr Barton in reference to cable matters. The Eastern .Extension Company ask for a twenty years’ agreement. Mr Seddon urged that the matter remain in statu quo, pending discussion on tne cable and cognate subjects by the Imperial Conference. Mr Seddon feels certain that they, would have had the Eastern extension well in hand if the Federal Government had realised its position in the matter. The New Zealand Fiemier is also satisfied that a cable message would be sent between Sydney and Wellington at no greater onarge than a telegram now costs between Sydney and Melbourne.

Lord Kitchener cabled yesterday instructing the Drayton Grange to proceed to Durban.

Lord Ranfurly’s farewell telegram was read to the troops, and was iLitch appreciated by officers and men.