FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1782, 13 June 1906, Page 2

FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

SPLENDID TRIBUTE TO OUR LATH PREMIER.

By telegraph, Press Aaa’n, Copyright Reoeived 10.41 p.m., Jane 12. Melbourne, Jane 12, When the House met Mr Deekin moved that " This House plaoes on record its profound regret at tbe untimely decease of Mr Seddon, and expresses its deep sym« patby with bis family and tbe people of New Zealand.” The motion, he said, is oouohed in simple terms each as beoomeß the man, and in this unhappy event it surely needs no justification when we remember to whom it relates and bis claim upon ns as a man and a statesman, and a guest who-,-only cn onr last day of meeting ooonpied , a chair on the Boor of the Honse. Under these circumstances, recalling that none of us oould have apprehended that which has happened since no one believed it possible that this should be the last Parliament upon which he would look, he passed from us in the fall strength of baoyant man* hood, with his great capacities unweakened—capacities whioh have been manifested throughout his whole oareer, Those who bad privilege being associated with him daring his stay in this oonntry will realise bow completely and entirely he fulfilled the burdens oast upon him, and all those and many others which he perhaps too generously assumed. We looked upon him as he came here, orowned with success in his own country, where, after a loDg and strong political life, he seemed to have won over to a sense of confidenoß and admiration the whole of the people whom he so admirably represented, so do wo remember the royal reception he teoeived in Australia from all classes and all parties. (Htar, bear.) If we remind ourselves as members of this Government are peonliarly able to do, of the manner in whioh he entered into discussion with us of mat:ere of far-reaching importance and - most intricate detail, exhibiting mastery of both principls and substance, which witnessed the great extent of bis knowledge and tbe broad character of fate political views, all tboße things seemed to giveui assurance of ibe much prolonged and splendidly progressing career continuing far beyond tbe hour.at which we, bade him goed-bye. Never was man more alive than the right hon. gentleman proved himßelf during the duties and welcomes crowded on him during his stay in Australia, He came to us a visitor, it is true; a visitor who would have been honored because of his groat achievements in the past, and the great ideals with whioh be was associated, if it had not also been because of bis abundant and most impressive personality. (Hear, hear.) 'He was a man who stepped at onoe into the regard and esteem of all those with whom associated. No stranger oould he be where in Australia, and particularly in this State and this city. It was in this oity where he first landed, in the New World. It vyas in this State he worked as a mechanical engineer. It was under the Government of Victoria that he was in the first instance an employee. It was on our goldfields at Ballarat that he first became a digger, and as he was proud to admit, it was here tbat he won bis helpmate to whom be owed so muoh both in bis private and public oareer. Tbo mere recollections of bis affection will soften the terrible blow which shattered her hopes and laid her home desolate. It needs no turning to reoords to dignify the memory of Mr Seddon. The tasks that be has faced and accomplished are too opnlent sven for the briefest summary. The pages of the Statute Book of New Zealand will contain for all time the legislative embodiment whioh he gave to bis ennobled aims, and his administration, prolonged beyond any whioh we have ever witnessed in this hemisphere, was equally crowded with unnumbered deeds of uiafnlness and service to his country. He has gone to wellearned rest. Mr McLean, on behalf of the Opposi* tion, seoonded the motion bo eloquently proposed by Mr Deekin. There was something immeasurably sad in the refleo* tion that a man who was amongst them i at their last meeting in foil vigor had in the interval, gone to his last long home. It would be perhapß.too much to say that during his long publio oareer Richard Seddon never committed any errors- of judgment. Still, everyone l among us will concede that he was a strong, powerful personality. (Cheers.) He was a natural leader, a man able, tactful, and resource* ful. He was a true demoorat in tbe very highest sense of the term; He deeply, , sympathised with ail sufferers in ine community, and had the kindliest digp»3i> tion towards all legitimate aspirations of the great masses of- the people. A splendid patriotism he always showed towards his adopted oonntry, but it was a patriotism that was part and parcel of that wider patriotism as a true Briton he ever exhibited towards tbe great and glorious Empire, of whioh he was so wortby a son. His namo will live long in the annals of the country to many succeeding generations. Mr Watson said : I desire merely to eay I join in every expression of regret uttered by tbe Prime Minister and leader of tbe Opposition, Tbe motion was agreed to nnanimonsiy, and the Speaker requested to oonvey it to >hs Government of N*w Zealand. Toe Hout-e then adjourned.