WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1923, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES.

RICHARD JOHN SEDDON. HIS MEMORY HONOURED. [Special To Tiie Guardian.] AVELLINGTON, June 11. AYithouti preparation and without public announcement there was an impressive gathering around the Seddon monument in tho Parliament grounds yesterday morning to do honour to the memory of the great Liberal hiklei. It was the seventeenth anniversary of tho death of Mr Seddon at sea on .Vs way hark from a visit to Australia in 1906. Old political opponents as well as old political friends were in the crowd that assembled at the loot of the monument and the simple proceedings were marked by an affectionate regard for the man and by warm appreciation of his distinguished services to the State and the Empire. Sir .Joseph AYnrd was the only speaker and his few feeling words struck the note appropriate to the occasion and the circumstances. "He was a big-hearted, generous, high-minded man, who never forgot a friend as lie made his way up the ladder of fame, mid never acted

unworthily towards a political opponent.” Sir Joseph said referring to

his loved chief: “Ho was above all a great humanitarian, a man who strove constantly for those who needed his Assistance most, and it is as a sincere and devoted humanitarian, even more than as a forceful Imperial statesman, lie will he honoured and reverenced by posterity.” One could feel the tribute re-echoed by every heart in the crowd. PRIME MINISTER AND CONFERENCE. Air 11. E. Holland’s address in Christchurch in which he expressed the opinion that Air Massey should go to the Imperial Conference as a delegate from tho electors of tho Dominion, and not as a.n untramelled "director” is receiving a certain measure of sympathy here. Tho official Liberals, of course, stilt are holding their peace, and probable will continue to do so till Parliament is actually in session; but some unattached Liberals, as well as unattached Labourites, arc disposed to endorse a great deal of what the loader of the Labour Party had to sav. They contend that Air Massey should take his directions from the House of Representatives, and that, in framing these directions, members should he relieved from all party obligations. This sounds all very well to people unacquainted with the practice .and methods of Parliaments and Conferences, hut to those belief informed on these subjects it appears altogether impracticable. For one thing, tho House will not know about the details of the problems to be discussed at the Imperial Conference, and consequently will he unable to give Afr ALassey any directions as to their solution. It- must either trust the Prime Alinistor or keep hint hero. THE REEORAf YIEAV. The “Dominion” this morning expresses the Reform view. “It would not he flattering to the intelligeireo of i Air Holland,” it says, “to take <er- j iouslv his suggestion that Parliament , under existing conditions could carry j on satisfactorily in the absence c[ the j Prime Alinistor. The stale of parties j and the narrowness of the Government.'s majority make any such proposal ridiculous. It can only he assumed, therefore, that in putting forward the suggestion. Air Holland’s

idea was that it. might in some way embarrass the Government. This appears to he tho only policy which the leaders of the two Opposition parties are really concerned with at the present time. They both talk a great- deal about the necessity for doing this, that, and the other thing, hut their attitude so far as they have chosen to disclose it. suggests that their main purpose in life is to make it as difficult as possible for the Government to carry oil regardless, of the needs of the country.” This friend of tho Government concludes by expressing rorjrct that in the firciinislanics neither AL AVilford nor Mr Holland have yet shown themselves able tr: take a- broad view of the position and rise above tho pettiness of par tv hickorinfT. ‘THE LIBERA!. ATTITUDE. It is quite possible that the altitude of Air AVilford and bis t-’lleagues on the executive of the Liberal Party in this matter is being misuiidorsinad by some id' their critic-. They have taken no the stand that tho Prime Alinistrr's impending departure should no! noi.es--.itai*- the iv, fneiuent oi' a number tii' pressing miw-urc.s that should he d'all with iTim in •; the approaching | session o; Parliament. .Mr Alas'-ey ha- j nni l : .w by saying that if the Libera! j and .1 ah.uir parties will refrain from factious (Ijiposili ;i erd facilitate Hr- j btl.-im- of the il "i:-o there v. ill he u j rea- . i.liv all their mea-nivs should I in, t 1. ■ :i Hi rough by the hegMiu.iig ol September. This, of course, i- p! tttsibie t uoiigh from the I lev. rnmeiit's point of view. Ii ike O.ui. iiion v. ill sit still am! -ay nothing ii v.dl he ea-y for the Government t do :di it wants to dn in a silent Hnuc. But tins would he no great a ih'iiuiud l - male upon an (ipjie.-ii i-iii just r turned i'r the eonslitiH-'.icics with a majority at its ha" k ami with various pledges t e redei m. Rapid progr- - can 1..- tend - only I y a frank compromise. m v, nil the concessions should nut i nine from one side only.