DEATH OF MR SEDDON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1782, 13 June 1906, Page 3

DEATH OF MR SEDDON.

By, Electric Telegraph—Pet Press 'Association-Copyright.

Beceived 11.48 p.m., June 12,

London, Juno 12. The Times states : “ Mr Soddonwas a big man of noble ideals and gonerous sentiments, with a firm grasp of realities. His legislation was generous, and even if the aim were socialistic, his intense patriotism and enlightened Imperialism differentiated him from y- the Socialists. < The Standard says: He was a great servant of the Empire, possessing the prime qualities of statesmanship. : The Chronicle states: His death is a real loss to the constructive states* ' manship of the Empire. His boisterous Imperialism and masterful personality gave him a foremost place in the affection of Londoners. Daily News : His astonishing programme of radical reforms carried into actual praotice theories which Britain still timidly regards as dangerous. His exaggerated Imperialism was something of a joke, The Tribune : Mr Seddon made New Zealand a working model of experimental social legislation. He was the most effective Labor politician in his day. Daily Express: He was a true friend of Labor, and one who greatly helped the British worker to grasp the value of empire. Daily Mail: His distinguished services will be gratefully remembered His death is. a great blow to the Empire.

Morning Post: The Empire has been deprived of a powerful driving force. He leaves a name worthy to rank with Sir Henry Parkes, Sir John Macdonald, and Mr Cecil .Rhodes, as creators and maintainors of the Empire.

Mr Beeves wrote in appreciation 6f the deceased statesman for the Chronicle, Sir Joseph Ward for the Times and Telegraph. Lord Eanfurly, speaking at Glasgow eulogised Mr Seddon, and expressed the deepest regret.

Melbourne, June 12. Mr Peakin said his indomitable individuality had been taken from us, leaving us poorer, leaving a high '"'-place vacant, so absolutely vacant of his potent personality, that we ask ourselves, indeed, m ho is he that would be bold enough to fill it. He leaves behind him a great figure in the life of these new countries, and a great figure even when measured by the j standards of the mother country. Mr Watson, in his remarks, said he would have preferred that Mr Seddon’s life work could be completed, but he hoped that though gone the work he extended and promoted would still be carried on. Australasian democracy had indeed lost a champion.

HOW THE-NEWS WAS BECEIVED IN ENGLAND.

MOBNING PAPERS PUBLISH SPECIAL EDITIONS.

By i*lftgra£h a Frssg Ast’n, Copyright Beceived 9.41 p.m., June 12, London, June 12. On behalf of King Edward and self, Lord Elgin cabled to Lord Plunket the regret at Mr Seddon’s death. \ Mr Chamberlain oabled to the widow and wrote to Mr Beeves. Tbe morning papers published seoond editions containing the news. Sir Joseph Ward was greatly shooked .end oanoelled all engagements inelnding his promise to address a number of mem" bers of tbe House of Commoas to-day, who meel inatead to pass votes of condolence. Sir Joseph Ward sails on Friday to the first San Franoisco instead of remaining until July. He received many callers, letters, and telegrams of condolence. The Agents General Bent messages of deep sympathy, and half masted the Sags on their offices. The Daily Telegraph says; The great Englishman died well deserving we Bovereign’a nobly-earned eulogy oabled to Lord Plnnhet. Mr Seddon bolds a permanent place among the statesmen who mOst zealously died in fostering tbe sentiment of k'nship on wbiob tbe unity of tbe Empire depends. We hope a suitable memorial will be raised here to so Bturdy and etrong an Englishman. NATAL’S EEGEET. Pietermaritzburg, June 12. Tbe Natal Assembly, at the iuatanee of tbe Premier, unanimously adopted a resolution of sympathy with New Zealand.;

AUSTRALIAN PRESS. GREATEST STATESMAN IN AUSTRALASIA.

The following artioles from Australian morning papers of Tuesday were coming to hand as the Times went to press the same morning SYDNEY TELEGRAPH.

The remark of the Premier of New South Wales that the news of Mr Sed> don’s death oame as a publio shock in do say overstates the profoaod impression 'which the return of the Oswestry Grange, with her mournful freight yesterday, made upon the people of Australis. Up till Sunday, when ho left this oountry for his owd, Mr Seddon had figured during the few busy weeks of his visit here, as a hale man, and as robust and vigorous physically as he has a'ways been politically. Hiß final day here w s spent with characteristic activity and zesr, The outward signals of .Suodsy morning sped him oh his last journey, and in a few hours he was dead, apparently through his sturdy body’s "inability to continue longer the ceaseless and strenuous struggle which it had waged so long. Death loves a shining mark and a signal bjow, and suoh a mark and such a blow it achieved in striking down with dramatic suddenness the most notable Australasian statesman of his time, As ej Premier|of the longest standing, and of the most prosperous of these countries, aod as a leader whose un’que experienes it bad been to see his following enlarged at every appeal to the people, his politioal record was incomparable. In ability es an administrator, and in management of men, he probably had no peer among his contemporaries. The judgment of futurity will undoubtedly award Mr Ssddoo greatness in the history of -New Zealand, and notice him prominently in that of the Empire in bis time and locality. The personality that has loomed so large and so long i J n the oolony will bo poigaantly piseed;

SYDNEY HERALD. A great oit'zen of the Empire and foremost spokesman of Greater Britain has passed away. The vacant place left by the death of Mr Seddon will create a

notable gap, not only in the publio life of , New'Zealand, but in that of Australia, aod 'N. far beyond its confines. That tragically sudden eveDt oame at the olose of what was almost a triumphal tour of the main land States, at a lime when the reßolt of the general election bad apparently secured the New Zealand Premier and his eol leagues in office for years to oame, but id aimse bis work is done, and however muoh orilios and public opiriin may differ as to his politics and methods, there will be a unanimous verdiot on the man that he tvas a strenuous,'forceful figure’in his i}ay and 'generation. Be believed with enthusiastio and wholehearted faith in bis own provinoe of Empire, and in the life of |bo {paperipl system as ft whole be played

□o ioootjSpioQous par), Hia opinions on Imperial questions oould not be ignored. He auoceedEd in making the iofluenoe of hia personality felt in the oounoiis of Imperial statesmen. Spoakiog from an outpost of Australia in the Paoifio, his words of warning and provision have oompolled attrition, and bis last effort on Australian soil was dlreoted to tho task of awakening tho intelligonoe of this Commonwealth to tho gravity of tho situation now and in thofuturoai botwoon ourselves and our foroign neighbors in that oooan He was an example of that typo of publi man developed sometimes by political oendition in self-governing Greater Britain, which is ablo to oultivato broad views of national responsibility as well as tho talent Ito regulate and control l:oal affairs. Riohard Soddon's utteranoos on matters of Imperial intorest affeotiog our own quarter of the globe could not bo iguorod. He has left tho soeno of his life work at the zenith of his iatluonoe and popularity, and for what publio man oonld his friends havedosirod more ? ADELAIDE ADVERTISER,

Thero is do statesman who filled a more oonspiouoas position in Greater Britain, and none will bo mournod more sinoorely throughout the wide dominiooa under Eiog Edward’s sway. His personal oharaoler endeared him to an everwidening circle of friends, while his publio services were reoognised in every land where English speech is known. It is only lately tbai President Roosevelt de> clared that be had watched with keen interest the legislation introduced by Mr I Beddon in New Zea'aod, and bad a strong desire to visit the oountry that be might bo enabled to obseive its practioil operation. The personal history of Mr Seddon during almost the whole if his publ c life will take apart in tbe annels of New Zealand, and in avery inspect his oareer as a publio man and statesmai bis beon remarkable. Without any reeommmdations to high position, wbiou are almost indispensable in other oonntries, as wealth or aristccratio connections or o'aieio attainments, ho rose from the ranks and proved equal to be elevated to the sphere he reached, His long ooutiouanoe in power alone gave him a distinguished place among oolonial statesmen for 27 years. His long continuance in power was accompanied by ever-inoroasing popularity. It was not by setting his sails to I catoh the popular breeze that Mr Seddon I retained and icoreased tbis favor of tbe people, bat by a just confidence inspirited by bis high character, bis oapacity as*a statesman, and tbe praotica’ effect of bis publio administration. Tbe Advertiser eulogises Mr Seddon’s strong sense of pnblic duty, and quotes almost bis last words on bis last publio epeeoh delivered in Adelaide: "I do sinoerely believe God has helped Ntw Zealand, beoause we have tried to do our duty.” BRISBANE COURIER,

Me Seddon was one of (be most conspicuous figures (be Empire bas ever kaowD, and there will be the keenest ragret at bis passing away in the fullness of bis years and usefulness, not only in Eog lisb-speaking communities, bat in all free countries to whom his name was a symbol of enlightened progress. He belonged to no particular sobool of po'i.ioai thought, | and would have been the last to attempt to define bis cpiniots in eobolastio terms. Like Mirabeau in France, bke Biema-ok in Germany, be did not allow theories |m stand, in the way of practical reform wbiob plain facts Bbowed to be necessary for the welfare of bis people and development of bis country. By bis passing away New Zealand loses the finest statesman she ever had, and tbs Empire one of her grandest sons,

BKIBBANE MAIL. Mr Ssddon, like his former revered chief, John Bsllance, died in hsire’s. He I bas been privileged to pass away painlessly and suddenly while his popularity is at its zenith, despite the indications that I had begun of distrust of the utility of some of bis own legislation, for Mr Seddon was one of these who not only had grown mentally but was not afraid to revise his opinions. During the last seven years labor legislation bad a rest, and Mr Seddon more than once cautioned extremists against pushing their rights too far. Mr Seddon’a land legislation was important perhaps more so than bis labor legislation. The artioles goes on to refer to the various Acts and amending Aots relating to land passed by Mr SeddoD, also [ to other Aots, including electoral reforms wbiob were not mere show or half hearted measures, but carried boldly in the faoe of bitter opposition- Mr Ssddon gave the worker more political industrial concessions than the Labor party had scoured in any country, despite desperate strikes. Unquestionably Mr Seddon fccussed the aspirations of the Badioal self-governing people of New Zealand in an effect:va way. He always saw that measures passed by him were carried into effeot, . , Though we may not Bgree with all done by bim, we believe the universal feeling throughout Australia is that the Empire is poorer through his death. MELBOUBNE AGE. To write to day that Mr Seddon is dead is to say that in the midst of the busiest part of his life came bis death. -Toe last mouth of bis life bas perhaps beta a pageant of bis success. A man of bis calibre cannot come and go as other men do. A Libor member shouted to him on Friday last i '• You are the greatest figure in the British Empire.” He certainly stood out on Australia’s horizm a very much distinguished man amongst his peers For bim there was no rest and cessation of aotivity, The pace he lived at would have tried a young and vigorous man, and there is no doubt that Mr Seddon was compacted of qualities that go to make great men. He wielded the destinies of New Zealand with a facility that showed him a born ruler. No other New Zealand Premier stands even a poor sepond to bin) in breadth of outlook and the capacity of seeing before and after. Had his lot been cast in the prime ministerships of*,the Imperial ciic’e he would probably have been as distinguished there as he is in Australasian politics. He bas tamed the noblest of tributes for a life’s noble wok, done nobly. He has fa'len with the shouts of his many ovations still in his ears. After life's fitful fever bo sleeps well. But New Z island will mourn tho friend and father who has tenderly watched over her and loved her as he was beloved in return. Amongst the many farewell tali g ams that Mr Seddon smt to Me'bturnefiom Sydney before embatkiDg on Satuiday eveoiog was one to Mr Bent, wh : cb otntiined words which prorol 1 1 bo prophetic : ‘‘ Leaving to night for Cod’d own country.”

MELBOURNE, ARGUS. Thera is guat and elegant tragedy aod pathos in tho sudden termination of the life of Mr SiddoD, a statesman of British reputation and Imperial standing, at the ;ege of 61 years. A man with his marked physical power might well have looked forward to at least another deoade of power and usefulness. A life given up to strenuous work is more lik ly to endure than one devoted to ease and pleasures of a different olas3 to that one whioh induoes politicians to spurn delight and live laborious days. Mr Seddjn was returning to bis loved New Zealand from a holiday trip, in which he had been leaded with tokens of goodwill, and bad b:en made the recipient of honor. He had visited sesnee in which his early manhood was spent, end he had shaken hands with old friends, and had embatked on his return journey

full of pleasant reminiscences and hopeful anticipations, wbon bis heart esased to beat, and suddenly bo was dead. It was a dramatio ending to bis rema’kable life, for he has been cut off in the full tide oi suooess, Ho has been spared the pain of seeiog himself supplanted and put aside. He did not live like Earl Russell, to be almost forgotten ere he died, or liko Sir Henry Farkes, to endure the pangs oi poverty, aod what be deemed ingratitude, but none the less is it trsgio that he should be oat off in. the plenitude of bis ripened powers, Browning sings : " Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be, The last of life fer whioh the first was made.’’ —Mr Seddon bad ri ached a secure position in the confidence of his fellow colonists, and tho vigor of his fight for power was over, the bitterness of his early combats was forgotten, and his judgment had mellowed and softened. He was becoming i a strong conservative foroe, beeanse he no i longer ftjt it neoessary to yield to the i clamor or to outrun his own judgment to [ gain support from extremists. With his i strong dominating personality withdrawn,

there may be muoh polltloal turmoil tmd strife awaiting New Zealand. ADELAIDE REGISTER.

Mr Seddon was one of the most romarkable men who have borne their part In the political arena of Australasia. Personally. ho was alike, mentally and physically, a man of extraordinary individuality and oourage. Ho possessed a great deal of that power and initiative, allied with excoutivo talent, which distinguished him among Australian statesmen who havo pasted away, 6Uoh as the late Sir Henry Pa'k’S and Sir George Grey. At hie meeting at the town hall, to riso in silence at tho mention of S.t Georgo Grry’a name—that little aolion was not only proof of Mr Seddon’s kindnoss of heart, but was a’so in a sonse an index to bis suooess os a leader of men. Ho al woj s, as by happy intuition, realised when tho psychological moineot had arrived. Ho koow wbon to tako oeoasion by the hand, as in Ibis relatively trltliug matter. OTHER TRIBUTES,

Mr D. akin, Fedoral Promior, baa sent tho fo'lowing message to Mrs Seddon : “ I have learned with inexpressible amazon ment and grief of tho terrible and unforeaeon misfortune whioh has overtaken you, and, with you, the people of Außtralseia and Ministers of the Commonwealth, on behalf of all its oitizers, deeply lamont our deprivation of one, who by his devotion to his country, earnest patriotism, and unswerving self-saorifioo, made himself known and appreciated throughout the whole Empire. At this moment it is impossible to do justioe to tho olaims bo es(ablshed by a loog life bravely Bpent up to the very moment of bis decease in tho publie service. His statesmanship, force of oharao:er, remarkable foresight, and

sound judgment enabled him to retain power for a toDg period, and to employ bis great abilities, without stint or interrup(ion to the lasting benefit of bis fellow oitizeos. Unhappily, as it now appears, though seeming to aooomplish his tasks with inexhaustible energy and unfailing powers, he did so at the ocs) of a premature close of his strenuous life. The reooot visit to Australia and the ulose per* sonal relations whioh it renewed between himself and many of us, further contribute to enbanoe tbe public rrgret, in itself poignant and profound. His warmth of heart and wealth of nature endeared him alike to those who were ptiviloged to meet him persona'ly, and to scores of thousands who honored him as a gallant standard bearer of a wise and progressive polioy of humanism. To you and your household the shock so overwhelming must be be* yond any eocsolatiOQ we oan offer. Nevertheless, tbe sympathies of our whole people go out to you in your eflliotion, with tbe hope and prayer that in the meroy of Providence you may all be enabled to sus'ain tbe giievcus weight of this personal and national oalamity." Tbe Governor of Queensland, Lord Chelmsford, said ho thought it only right aud fif.irg (bat he should say something with regard to the great loss which New Zealand an! the bereaved Empire Buffered in the death of Mr Seddon. He was an elemental foroe in New Z.alaud,and he was one of those who bad been described as standing four square to the winds of tbe globe, a man whose life was work, and whose language was ripe with cogged maxims hewn from life. The Governor felt in making this passing a'lueion to Mr Seddon, that we in Australia would feel that the death of Mr Seddon was a loss not only to New Zsalaud, but to the Empire,

THE KING’S MESSAGE.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, last night,

The Actiog-Premier has received the following cablegram from the Secretary of State for tbe Colonies, London : "lam commanded by His Majesty to convey to you the expression of the deep regret with whiob he has received the intelligence of the death of the Prime Minister of New Zsaland. His Majesty is assured that the loyal aod distinguished services whioh Mr Seddon has rendered daring bis long tenure of offioe will secure for his name a permanent place among the statesmen who have most zealously aided in fostering tbe sentiment of kinship on whiob the unity of the Empire depends.”

Sydney, June lit. A wreath from the State Government went- aboard tho Oswestry Grange with the following inscription : “ New South Wales mourns with New Zealand for the illustrous dead,” Mr G. H. Reid states : “ The news came as a very great shock to me. I had seen him on Friday night travelling over from Melbourne in the same train. He then looked so well that I congratulated him upon his appearance and health. I always had a great admiration for his abilities and for his progressive political sagacity. Another admirable point about him was his profound attachment to the people of the Mother Country and regard for the integrity of the Empire. His death is not only an irreparable loss to the people of New Zealand, but will impart a sense of bereavement right through the English-speaking world. Profound sympathy will be felt for those near and dear to him ” A deluge of telegrams pour in from different municipal councils and other institutions, expressing regret at the death and sympathy with the family and New Zealand.

-Sydney Liedertafel, as a mark of sympathy, sang Sir Arthur Bullivan’s part song, “ The Longest Day Closes.” The Ogwestry Grange left her moorings at 11.3 Q last night on her mournful voyage to Wellington.

(Pm Praia Association.) Wellington, yesterday. Though nothing has been definitely decided, it is believed the remains of the late Premier will be interred here, at a site to be chosen at Karori in the course of a day or so, for the approval of Mrs Seddon. Mrs Bean (the eldest daughter), of Christchurch, arrived this morning, and Mrs Morice, Greymoutb, is on the way here, and will meet her mother on arrival in New Zealand.

Tho Rugby Union authorities are asking that all affiliated Unions postpone their fixtures arranged for next Saturday. The Engineers’ Institute to-day voted £SO towards a national memorial to Mr Seddon, who was an associate member of that bo ly. It is understood steps will b 8 taken to orect a statue of the deceased statesman in the Parliamentary grounds.

Groymouth, ycstrrday. After Dr Morice’s death Mr Soddon expressed the wish that he might be buried alongside him in Greymouth cemetery. It is thought here that he will be interred as desired. Continuod on page 4.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, lost night. His Excellency Lord Plunket received (ho following cablegrams of condolonco : From Lord Northcoto, GovernorQoneral of the Commonwealth of Australia : “ Ilavo hoard with doepost regret tho sad nows of Mr Seddon’s doatli. All Australia mourns tho great loss Now Zealand has sustained, and oll'ors expressions of profound sympathy with tho family of tho decoased statesman. —Northcoto.” From Sir Har/y BawsoD, Governor of Now South Wales : “ Deeply sympathise with tho Government and pooplo of Now Zoaland in tho sad doatli of Mr Soddon.—Harry Bawson.” From tho Governor of South Australia : “Extremely sorry tolnar of tho death at sea of your Preinior who recently visitod Adolaido.— Goorgo Lo Hunte.” From tho Govornor of (Queensland :

“ Sincorest sympathy from myself, my Government, and people of Uueenslnnd, for tho great loss sustained by New Zealand.— Chelmsford.” From the Governor of Victoria : “On behalf of the Government and mysolf I desire to oxpross to your Excellency and to Now Zealand our deepest sympathy in the great loss, occasioned by the death of Mr Seddon, who has been so recently amongst us. —Talbot.” From Cardinal Moran : “ Catholics of Sydney convey sincerest sympathy and condolence to the Government and people of New Zealand in the irreparable loss they havo sustained by the death of their groat Premier. — Moran.”

From tho Netherlands Consul, at Prahan : “Kindly accept my sincere sympathy with New Zealand in the sad loss of its great Prime Minister. —Bosschart.” From Herr Paul von .Buri, ConsulGeneral of Germany for Australia : “ I beg your Excellency to accept my most heartfelt sympathy with your colony on the occasion of the lamentable death of your prominont Premier and Minister. —Paid von Buri.” From the Mayor of Sou'll Brisbane : “The citizens of South Brisbane wish to convey through me their sincere sympathy in the loss sustained by New Zealand in particular, and the British Empire in general, by the death of tho Rt. lion. B. J. Seddon. —R. S. Burton.” From the Chairman of the Town Board at Devonport, West Tasmania : The Town Board conveys Devonport’s regret at learning of the death of your Premier, Mr Seddon, as they regard it as a national loss. The Board . tenders its sympathy.—John Luck.”

By, telegraph, Press Aas’n, Cony right LodJod, Jano 11. All the evening papers publish ap* preciative notices of Mr Seddon. The Pall Mall Gazstte says: “ Every branch of the Imperial family will deplore the death. We will never cease to be grateful for his zoal in promoting the despatch of tho troops to touth Africa.” The Westminster Gazette sympathises with New Zealand’s loss of a public man who has done a great deal for the colony internally and externally. Sydney, Jane 11. Mr Deakin telegraphed to the Press Association : “Greatly shocked at the death of the Prime Minister of New Zealand. Have requested the Go-vernor-General to forward a message of sympathy and appreciation to the Governor of Now Zealand. Melbourne, Jane 11. Tho news created a sensation throughout tho State, Flags were half masted on public buildings. Mr Bent was greatly shocked on receipt of the news. Adelaide, June 11. The news was received with the greatest grief by everybody. All are appalled by its suddenness. The Town Hall bells tolled.