“SEDDONIA.”

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 519, 16 September 1902, Page 4

“SEDDONIA.”

There has been an American “ chiel ” among us taking notes, and faith lie’s printed them. In a recent issue of the Now York Herald there is a long article (adorned with a picture of Mr Beddon), headed in big letters as follows :—“ New Zealand is a pacific England. Wonderful little land in the South Seas, the most progressive English colony. Years ahead of others. Her Government, directed by Premier Scddon, is in every senso one for the people.” Tlio article is written by an American, “ who sees things with the eyes of an American,” and who, it may be added, describes what he sees or thinks he sees, or would like to see, with a wealth of superlatives which is characteristic of American journalese. He starts by declaring that “no country in the world today is receiving so much of the attention of thinking men and women as New Zealand, a land peopled by a vigorous and progressive raco of happy people, who have reached to what may be fairly considered the most enlightened point in the history of civilised government so far attained by man.” This is tall talk, and shouldjjllatter our national vanity. But these glowing terms do not exhaust the vocabulary of praise of our American admirer, for after declaring that “nowhere on earth lias there been such a wonderful triumph of colonisation in this colony, ho lets himself go, and boldly declares that 11 New Zealand is, of all tho British colonies, the furthest advanced in every channel that makes for human liberty and happiness.”

The reason, of course, is that “ the real power of ruling ” does not lie in the King, but “in the hands of the Honorab e Bichard John Seddon, the Premier.” This Biehard John Beddou fairly carries tl:o American scribe oil his feet. He is “able,” “ brainy,” “ a hard worker,” “ democratic in his habits.” His “ power of endurance and capacity for hard work are phenomenal.” As a proof of this we are told that he has actually tired out, on some occasions, “ four of his chief secretaries,” and we get the information that when travelling he carries on his official work "in his private car.” Not only did he organise and send to South Africa ten contingents, but “ fifteen more contingents were in readiness to go at his call when peace was declared.” Then we—or rather the American people—are told that New Zealand “ has many regulations in its Government affairs which take it years ahead of other nations.” For instance, if you want to get married, you have only to walk to the nearest postmaster or postmistress, with your intended, sign your names in a boob, and the thing is done. Then in this most progressive colony on the earth, where civilised Government has attained a pitch never be-

fore reached in the history of man, “ the street railways are owned and operated by the municipalities, and the Government helps the poor farfner and the small shipper.” The Government has “ millions of acres of the richest land under its ownership and control, and offers this for small sums as a means of encouraging persons of limited means to take up farming.” Then again, “no nation on earth has such help-the-people laws as New' Zealand.” Some time ago it was stated that the Government had entered into an arrangement with a travelling American to write up the colony in the American press. Can it be possible that this is a sample of the stuff we are paying for ?