DINNER TO MR SEDDON.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 484, 25 July 1902, Page 3

DINNER TO MR SEDDON.

BEAUTIFUL PROSPEROUS AND LOYAL NEW ZEALAND.”

(From tho Times, London, Juno 20).

Tho Now Zealandors in London on Tuesday offered a hearty welcome to Mr R. J. Seddon, the Premier of Now Zealand, on his arrival in London to attend tho Coronation ceremonies. Tho occasion

was tho annual Now Zealand dinnor, at which Mr Soddon was tho chiof guest. It had been postponed from last Thursday in order that Mr Seddon, who only arrived in England from South Africa on Saturday night, might bo present. The dinnor was held at tho Holborn Ilestaurant, and there was an unusually largo company. Tho Hon. W. P. lle’ovcs, Agent-General for Now Zealand, presided. Lord Onslow proposed the toast of the ovening—“ Prosperity of New Zealand ” ; and in doing so said that there was in Now Zoaland no difference between Liberalism, loyalty, and Imperialism. (Cheers.) Referring to tho contribution of Now Zealand to tho war in South Africa, he said that England had sent out 315,000 men to that country, and Now Zealand, if tho proportion of her population to that of this country was considered, had contributed, on that scalo, no less than 366,000, an amount in proportion greater than the mothor country. (Cheers.) Tho toast was recoived with unbounded enthusiasm and all the musical honors. Mr Soddon, who wa3 received with long and continued cheering on rising to reply, said he felt that some of the favorable remarks which had been mado about him by the proposer of the toast was quite undeserved. (" No, no.”) But after all New Zoaland and tho pooplo of that country and himself had only done their duty. (Cheers.) Ho had listened with pleasure to the references mado by the noblo lord to tho grave responsibilities'which ho had entrusted to himself and his colleagues ; and, speaking for some one who had now passed away, it was a delight to him to know that the duties then entrusted to them had been faithfully carried out. As time wont on and changes wero proposed, many of them, especially their chairman of the evening and himself, were misunderstood. ' But timo at all events had proved that what they were then doing in departing from old and well-known lines was in tho bost interests of their colony, humanity, and tbo Empire. (Cheers.) Whon ho was in England at tho time ot tbo Diamond Jubilee ho had said to the people of tho motherland that thoy might depend upon New Zoalaud in the case of any emergency. Present now to take part in tho great ceremonies of tho Coronation of our good and gracious King, a reference back brought with it a tinge of sadness. There was no part of tho Empiro and there wore no peoplo in tho Empiro who more mourned the loss of our good and „racious Queen than did those of New Zealand, and ho deeply regretted that she had not lived to see tho termination ot tho war in South Africa. (Hear, hear.) Among others who had passed away was his old frieud and leader in politics, Sir George Grey. But time must and would do its work ; and those who remained behind must proceed and as far as thoy could carry out the ideals of those great men who were not themselves permitted to see work well begun well ended. (Hear, hear.) Their colony of Now Zealand was, ho was ploased to say, in a prosperous condition. In the first place, a few days ago they were able to announce n surplus—tho usual surplus. (Laughter.) This year it was only .£270,000 ; but abnormal expenditure had this year been incurred to tho amount of over £200,000, including the entertainment of their Loyal <-uests. Therefore upon an ordinary year their surplus would have been close upon X 500.000. (Cheers.) Comparing the year 1896 with the present ho found that thenexports wore now *£12,000,000, as _ com-

paved with £9,000,000, an a tnat weir un- j ports were as compared with £7,0U0,0u0. vCheers.) '+oking the airual at and departures from iNew Zealand during tho last ton years, they had a , increase from that sourco in their popula I tion of 36,000 souls, and they had no i assisted emigration. (Cheers.) In regard to natural increase the colony also stood well. Five yoars ago ho had prophesied that their gold export, which was then about £1,000.000 a year, would in throe years reach £1,500,000, and he wns proud

to say that last year the increase was about £700,000 over the export of 1596. In no part of his Majesty s dominions was capital invested in mining moro secure or safer than in Xow Zealand. (Cheers.) The labor legislation in tho colony had proved to be a safeguard to capital, while doing justice to the toilers. (Cheers.) Their factories had increased by SO per cent., tho number of workers by 2S per cent., the land upon which factories wero built 52 per cent., and tho wages actually paid by 02 per cent. From tbat standard they must admit that their colony held almost the premier position in the colonial possessions of the Empire. (Cheers.) The value of improvements made upon conditions which wore viewed with suspicion when they were passing tho legislation were now more than £7,0Q0,00Q. It had been stated that in the colony serious

C'irne was on the increase, but their Chief .Justice, Sir Robert Stout, had taken the earliest opportunity of removing the slur which had been cast upon them, Incfacts were that of over 10,000 persons in 1809 the percentage of convictions was only 38-01, while in 1900 that was reduced to 20-18, or a reduction of about one third. The legislation, which was thought to be of a somewhat socialistic character when it was passed, had had a most beneficial effect, and he might tell them that they had very little crime in their colony, no poverty, and a free and enlightened and happy people. (Cheera.) But there was room for many more. There was land for many more, and there wa.s liberty for many more in beautiiul, prosperous, and loyal New Zealand.

I-EEFKRKN'TI AI. TRADIi

Ho desired at the earliest possible rno. ment to take the opportunity of removing any misapprehension that might have arisen as to the proposals of the colonies in respect to preferential trade with the mother country. lie would read to them a resolution sent to the Secretary of State by tho New Zealand Government upon this question :—“ It is essential to tho well-being of tho mother country and Ilis Majesty’s dominions beyond tho seas in all such dominions where tho saino do not exist that preferential tariils by way of rebate of duties on British manufactured goods carried on British-owned ships should bo granted, and that in the mother country a rebate of duties on colonial products now taxable should be conceded.” When ho told them that that resolution was drafted and forwarded in tho month of December last, what connection could there possibly be between that resolution and the grain tax proposed by tho Imperial Parliament a few. days ago? The motion was conceived in the spirit and desire to help to give, and not a desire to take. They felt it was an opportunity to assist tho mother country ; it was love and nob sordid motives that prompted the sending of the resolution. (Cheers.) Ho would not believe that misrepresentation was wilful. lie would draw their attention to tho memorable speech delivered by tlie Prince of Wales at tho Guildhall. That speech was ono which should ho in every home within the Empire, and it should bo read by every well-wisher of our country. That speech pointed out a danger to tho Empire, and, unless wo met that danger as men and brothers, ho feared for our country. It was no use, ostrich like, to hido our head in tho sands and say, 11 It will all he well.” When danger menaced, it was one’s duty to do everything to avoid tho possibility of lasting loss to our country. Ho feared thero were somo peoplo who fancied the colonies were only just emerging from tho juvenile stage of lifo. Ho would claim for the colonies that they had a ripo experience. It was with a knowledge rnaturo and well developed that the colonies woro seeking to help their parents and kindred in tho mother country. The colonies were entitled to be heard. Did anyono say that wo were not losing .ground in respect to manufactures and to trade ? (A voice : Yes.) Ho would answer that gentleman at once. In New Zealand in 1890, imports from America were a littlo over £200,000. Last year, imports from America into New Zealand woro over ono million pounds, or an increase of live times what they woro in 1890. Thero was no reason why £BOO,OOO of that million should not have come from tho mother country. (Cheers.) England received from foreign colonies 418 million pounds worth of goods last year, and exported £252,000,000 worth to foreign countries. This showed a balance of trade against tho mother country of 161 millions. Eugland had to send out that many golden sovereigns to foreign countries to meet the differences. (Cries of “ No, no.”) Thero was no mistake about this announcement. The difference between the colonies and tho mother country was only eight millions. But when England sent eight million sovereigns to her colonies she was strengthening herself and tho colonies at tho same time ; and the colonics would give a return, as had been shown in tho South African war. Continuing, Mr Soddon read a report of a speech inado by Mr Shaw, tho American treasurer, in which ho stated that tho sovereignty of the Pacific would bo transferred from the Union Jack to the Stars and Stripes. Did we not see in that, asked Mr Seddon, a groat danger ? (Hear, hear.) It was our duty to bo on our guard. At any rate, New Zealand was British, and Now Zealand would still keep her trade for Groat Britain. Ho was a Lancashire lad. (Loud cheers.) Ho would rathor seo the natives in New Zealand in cotton prints coming from Lancashire than from America. (Cheers.) Thero was no fear of our offending foreign nations if wo made reciprocal arrangements with tho colonies. Ho showed respect for the memory of Cobden and Bright ; their doctrinos were sound in their own day ; but we must view tho coso from our own time, and if .wo acted in the way which ho had indicated wo should bring about that state of things which was tho heart’s desire of Cobden and his school. There was not ono of the colonies who would not be prepared to give a preference to tho manufactures of tho mother country and a rebato to thoso goods which were carried in British ships. (Cheers.) Coming to the question of tho recent war, Mr Seddon said tho spontaneous assistance given to the mother country by her colonies had staggered humanity, and moro assistance would have been granted had thero been need. The Boers now within the fold—the glorious fold protected by tho Union Jack—would find greater freedom and greateropportunities than they ever had boforo. (Cheers.)

Mr Seddon requests Reuter's Agency to state that before his departure from New Zealand a report, which he finds has also gained currency on this side, was circulated to tho effect that he had been presented with a sum of money in recognition of his services to the Empire. This report is unfounded. Tho presentation which actually took plaoo was that ot an illuminated address signed by somo 20.000 New Zealanders. As a matter of fact there was a movement in the colony for presenting tho Premier with a sum of money, but as his request it was uot proceeded with.