RICHARD JOHN SEDDON

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1922, Page 2

RICHARD JOHN SEDDON

16th ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH, j SIR JOSEPH WARD’S TRIBUTE. I SPECIAL TO GUARDIAN. | WELLINGTON, June 10 ! Tile friends and relatives of the late lit Hon Diehard John Setfdon, gathered around the Seddon monument, outside the Parliamentary Buildings this-morn-ing, to pay a tribute to the memory of the statesman on the sixteenth anniversary of his death. Two laurel wreaths were placed upon the statue, one from Mrs Seddon and the members of her family, and the other from the West Coast people, The most conspicuous figure in the gathering Was Sir Joseph Ward. The Lender of the Opposition, tM r T. M. Wilford) was present; find a number of men and women who honoured the late Mr Seddon, had braved the weather in order to assist at the commemoration. i

“We are commemorating the sixteenth anniversary of the death of the late Rt Hon Richard John Seddon,’’ siii.l Sir Joseph Ward, speaking from' the foot of the monument. ‘‘ln this country Mr Seddon will ever he remembered as a man who worked for the p oplo, a great man, who by his own efforts, fltisPtl Himself to the highest pinnacle that ftnydiie in this country can attain. He was a forceful man, a man of great courage, and above all lie was ft man ever true to his friends.

1 had tht> grclft lioiiotlr of being associated with I.im for many years, and ti e opportunity of judging him when the world did not See how he worked, and whfit he was achieving. I can say that I iiever kiiow a mati niot'e strenuous in effort; and more giiided by the piilfeiples that life placed before liimsfelf. Richard John Seddon was a malt who did more to bring New Zealand ' into touch with the Hid World, tliitit any imp up to that lime had Succeeded in doing. We all rfetrife'mbfe'r that at the time of the South African War there was no man in this country, or in the Empire who did more to concentrate national opinion upon the necessity of success in that war. Then he dkDwhat was the beginning of the cementing of the scattered portions of (life Empire in the Sense that U true realisation began then fo reach soiile Of the pfeopk in tie ()lcl Country that they had a duty to the outlying portions of the Empire, while in this country and the other Colonies there grew a consciousness of the fact, that tile Solidarity of tile Empire i\:is essential. He is remembered as a very gfeiit Imperialist. The humane side of his character was revealed in various directions. The records of this country s’ ow that although be was a big man and a courageous fighter, who never turned his back upon his opponents, he yet etltlcured himself to the men and tvtimfeil (if tiiis t:outltt‘y. His resourcefulness wits demonstrated in every tusk to Which he placed his hand. The beauty of his lipiue life was one of his bright' characteristics; and 1 wish tin behalf of thousands of people in this i coiiiitfv, to convey sincere gdod wishes jto Mis Seddoii. niid tlm mfeinbets of ! b<-r miii'ly. I assure them that wfe re-

gard this little gathering as a just JriImtc to a maii who Win adiliiratifin. iliid affection even from those who differed from him—a man who was a great Imperialist arid a great friend of the people.”