MR MASSEY’S TRIBUTE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1781, 12 June 1906, Page 3

MR MASSEY’S TRIBUTE.

NOBLE WORDS BY LEADER OF OPPOSITION.

THE GREATEST MAN WHO WAS EVER MINISTER OF CROWN.

(Per Press Association.t . - t < ; Auckland, Jane 11. Me Massey, leader of the Opposition, on being seen today ; by a representative of tbe Herald, aaid “ I don’t think that I ever received each a shock as I experienced on reoeiviog telegrams notifying me of the Premier's startlingly sadden death. Only this morning I bad received a oable from him to the effeol that all was well, and that be was leaving by the Oswestry Grange, and woald arrive in Auokiand on Thursday I morning. I am glad to think now that we ware Olrong polftloal opponents W»~were never personal enem'es. Mr Seddon has died in harness at the zenith of his powers, and of him it may be said that' great men hath fallen this day in Israel.’ “He has passed away. Out diffarenoes f are over, and I oan honestly say that cutaido the members of bis family, to whom in their bereavement 1 extend my utmost sympathy, there are few who will regret Mr Seddon’s death more sincerely r than I do.

tl "As a matter of faot, while Mr Ssddon was a good fighter and a bard bitter, there was something about him which, always commanded the respect and admiration f even of bis opponents, I knew him well. ' w I have watohed him olosoly for the last twelvo years. I differed from him on ' many point#, and' have crossed swordß with him on many oocasions, but if I were asked to say who in my opinion was the ablest man that ever took part in the colony’s legislation, and who was the greatest man that ever occupied a position of Minister of the Crown in ibis colony, cpy apswer to both questions, and without any doubt or hesitation, would be, Richard John Seddqn.”