The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JUNE 12, 1906. DEATH OF MR SEDDON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1781, 12 June 1906, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JUNE 12, 1906. DEATH OF MR SEDDON.

Therd is mourning to day, not only in New Zealand, but throughout the Empire, for the national loss sustained by the death of Mr Feddon, a great man whose worth all must appreciate quite irrespective of what their political opinions may be. It is needless hore to recapitulate

the many works of our lamented Pro thief. His life'was devoted to the wel-

fare of the people, and when the evanescent strife caused by tho political differences of the day havo been forgotten —as soon thoy will be - tho self-sacrificing - dfc-Ydtion to tho interests of the people,- and the great woik accomplished, will be measured at something like their real value. “ A broad humanitarian ” was tho description which Mr Seddon gave himself when in Australia, and that he ably and faithfully lived up to that policy none can deny, and what finer epitaph oould there be for a statesman and Imperialist ? Mr Seddon, all must gladly acknowledge, lived in the hearts of tho people, and as the years went- by tho feeling of affection increased. In party politics there is at times keen -.fighting, but throughout

his whole career it must be said for Mr Seddon that while he fought hard he fought fairly, championing the cause] of the weaker, and at the same time holding his ground as a splendid Imperialist of whom the Empire could well feel proud. The manly tribute paid to the deceased statesman by the leader of the Opposition must be keenly appreciated by all friends, proving that political differences in no way interfered with that broad humanitarian -spirit of which the Premier was proud to proclaim himself as an exponent. Mr Seddon took op the reins of office from Mr Ballanco on May 1, 1893, and bas at each election been returned to power with substantial majorities. Qe was the twenty-seventh Premier cf New - Zealand. The leading Melbourne journal the other day slated : “ Mr Seddon stands easily fi-st amongst the most notable statesmen of Australasia.” The people’of Australia have been able to acolaim him at h a true worth. The Age elates ; 11 The

secret of tbo Seddon eucorss has a'wryr laaiL ly depended on a ho hnl into t v io colony’s nooi and his rsiotuto oourogo in fulDl iog hie promisos to tho people. Tho people oirao to fully believe in hia hones'y. They truatod him, end ho did not botiay that trust. Ho stends boforo pll Australia as a living oontradloticn of tbo fickleness that is too often o ist upon democracy. He bas shown in bis own person that if a loador only knowß wboro ho is going and goos straigh 1 , the pooploaio only too delighlod to follow and acclaim him, recognising bis morit, and standing faithfully to him ia tho day of bis adversity.” Though tho valo of toats at prosont dim tbo eyo, the end will, wo believe, ye t b 9 rocognised as a fioo one, Wchavetho picture of tbo grand old man, having achieved bis New Zealand success, and tbireto added that great triumph in Australis, peacefully and painlessly passing away in tho arms of the eplcndid woman who had so devotedly Btood by her husband through all his trials, and who hid in her own modest way dono so muoh to help him in his career. Ho Bimply laid down to reßt from his labors, and gently passed to that bourne whenoe none return. The Baddret feature of oourso is that the other mem' bers of the family oould not bo present. Though the great man has gone his works will enduro. He did not live to achieve the coping stono of his woik, the annuity scheme, but be made a great step towards that achievement. Wo offor our condolence to tho widow and family. Well may New Zsaland spontaneously join in mourning over the death of tho great humanitarian.