MR AND MRS SEDDON.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 482, 23 July 1902, Page 2

MR AND MRS SEDDON.

A PRESENTATION. SPEECH BY THE PREMIER. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, July 22. Sir Montague Nelson, on Oehalf of a number of Anglo-New Zealanders, presented Mr Seddon with a massive silver centre piece, and Mrs Seddon with a diamond ormanent, together worth .£SOO, in recognition of Mr Seddon’s patriotism in promoting the solidarity of the Empire. The subscribers included those who were opponents of Mr Seddon’s domestic policy, though all were admirers of his Imperial services. Mrs Seddon was present. Mr Seddon replied that the war proved the virility, energy, and determination of the Now Zealanders. He claimed that New Zealanders recognised the dangerous character of tho South African difficulty before tho Motherland. He referred to the overwhelming character of British hospitality. He was confident that tho future would show that the ties of the Empire would become closer and closer. He believed that tho good results of the Imperial Conference would becorno apparent much quicker than many suspected. New Zealand desired to see Great Britain a self-contained nation and less dependent on foreigners, . which must allow tho British tho same liberty of action as they claimed and exercised. He considered the gigantic American trusts a greater danger to Great Britain than a great war. If Great Britain were once aroused she would bo able to avert the evil consequences. New Zealand was willing to concede preferential relations to the Motherland without exacting a reward, though tho Motherland would bo able by means of subsidies to steamers, bounties, and in other ways, to help the Colonies.