CAPT. SEDDON'S ACTIVITIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1918, Page 4

CAPT. SEDDON'S ACTIVITIES.

MONSTER MEETING IN CALIFORNIA.

Captain T. E. Y. Seddou’s lecturing tour iu the United States was interrupted in California at the end of October by the influenza epidemic. Under liis engagement with the National Security League of the United States, Mr Seddou had fixtures up to the eud of November. He thought that in that circumstance ho would return to New Zealand by Christmas, if begot no contrary orders in New York, whereto he was returning shortly at the time of writing. His lecturing tour in the Western States had been very successful. From September 2nd to October 19tb lie had addressed (38 meetiugs, whereat the total attendances aggregated 05,220 people. All the addresses were under the auspices of the National Security League, and the biggest day was on October 18th, when he addressed eight separate meetings. The largest meeting lie addressed was at the auditorium, Oakland, where the attendance was Id,ooo. On that occasion Mary Pickford, of picture fame, attracted the crowd, who were packed in the great Exposition building. The people were on the rafters, behind the stage anywhere they could pack themselves. Miss Pickford sold half a million dollars’ worth of Liberty bonds at the meeting, and Captain Seddou had the honor of addressing the vast multitude. He remarks that it was a wonderful hall to speak in, and was a really great experience. On October lltli Captain Seddou spoke in the San Francisco Auditorium to an audience of 5,000. It was a good meeting in every sense. That night 500 Boy Scouts were there to receive medals. One of the best meetings he had was at Sacramento at a luncheon where 210 paid for admission. Governor Stephens of California made a speech on that occasion. Captain Seddon writing of his experiences, says:—“lt is very encouraging ou this Coast to find what a keen interest the people take in the future of the Pacific, Samoa, New Guinea, Marshall Islands, etc. How much they like to hear about New Zealand and Australia, and above all how they appreciate Great Britain’s effort. This, of course is told them by all of us Army speakers. The men writing back from France tell, too, of the good fellowship between the British and their cousins, the Americans, So after all, the war has done one great thing—it has drawn the Anglo-Saxon races closer together than they have ever been before. The New Zealand officers writing from France, too, speak in splendid terms of the Americans attached to the Dominion Division.”

Farther on, Mr Seddon writes: “ German propaganda is not so rife as it was iu this country, but the enquiry into the purchase of certain newspapers in tlie United States and the money supplied by Germans will reveal some of the machinations of our subtle foe. Hearsts papers now are printing and. publishing nothing against the Allies, but the feeling against them in Montana, ’Frisco and New York is fierce. So it should be, too. The loyal tone they adopt now is only assumed because it is expedient. The populace will not now stand for anything else.” Before closing Captain Seddon strikes another note. He writes : “What a sad old world the war has made. Even the prospect of a peace after victory sweetens but slightly tlie remembrance of all the sacrifice. Great Britain’s effort has been splendid—and England’s effort —her steadfastness and her sacrifices, her struggle to keep the other Allies cheered up and screwed to sticking point—has been noble iu the extreme. I would that the world will enjoy Peace at Xmas time. How blessed it will be, but • many homes - even when peace beams on the natious at such a season of rejoicing, will hardly be, cannot really be, happy like they used to be in the far-off days of goodwill and prosperity.”

Editorial note. —It is considered probable that Captain Seddon will return to New Zealand by the next trip of the Niagara. The steamer’s due date at Auckland is the end of the month, but the boat will be delayed probably by circumstances arising out of the influenza epidemic, both in this country and in America. It is Captain Seddon’s intention as soon as freed from military duties to return at once to Westland.