The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1925. THE WESTLAND SEAT.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1925. THE WESTLAND SEAT.

'l'llK announcement that All I. ASetldon is forming an election committee here next week means the beginning of tin- campaign ill this electorate. Parliament will rise most probable next week-end. and by that time the contest will he general throughout tile Dominion. .Mr iSeddon comets forward with the best of credentials. He followed his illustrious father as Member for Westland in l!H)(i, and up to three years’ ago held the seat, when in a four candidate contest he came a good second. Air Seddon tools his defeat manfully, and has been hiding his time. He now i> about to enter the lists with a good deal of advantage on his .side. Hr- service in Parliament gave him much valued experience. and his general knowledge of public business is very wide. Tie has been, since taking his seat in Parliament. a much appreciated member of the party he was attached to. He has qualities and gifts which stand him well in any company in -which he finds himself. His record of public service lias been most creditable and he stands forward with a record greatly to he proud of. Any constituency might well appreciate Air Seddon as its representative. In the years of his representation his work and worth were appreciated very highly, and it. was only the dash of parties tit the polls when four candidates divided up the votes of tlie people, that he .suffered defeat. And his loss was very generally deplored. There is corning the opportunity to retrieve the mistake ol three years' ago. and we fee] very sanguine that it will he retrieved.

uesuaiui nas neon always pronouncedly Liberal in its politics, Tbo policy of the Liberals stood for that sane freedom and progress with which a gold-mining community was invariably associated. Air Seddon espoused the cause which his father before him bad made the outstanding cause of New Zealand. The Liberal legislation of those days is the proud jaissession of the people to-day. despite the fact that in the passing of it the Liberals had many a long drawn out fight in Parliament. It was a good and noble cause, serving the many and not the few. and Westland in particular supported it over three decades at least. Mr Seddon. in coming forward now is no stranger. From 1006 to 102.fi. he represented Westland in Parliament. •IIUI ltjt» L'ttoic jl r i-F .. i ~-,.11 ..1-.., T> „

tore entering Parliament lie was familiar with many of its remote places, am! while serving the people, visited all parts of the district and made himself familiar with local needs. He has not ignored even the remote places while out of Parliament temporarily. During the past three years. Mr Seddon lias been going and coming amongst us and knows the district better than ever now. He has made the electorate his permanent residence, by choice, and his whole time and business is centred within the electorate. Mr Seddon. while in Parliament was nrpreciated most highly by his fellowmembers. and has many warm, not to say close, friends, on all sides of the House He is in fact a persona grata I

nml is held in the highest esteem hy nil who know him. .Mr Seddon has natural advantages in his personality which, but few men can hope to possess, and is worthy to represent any constituency in the highest capacity within the gilt of the people. Nor should it be forgotten that when duty called he was prepared, along with the other male member-, of the Seddon family, to respond and -serve his country well. Mr Seddon served his country with distinction, oi. and off the field, and of three sons, was alone spared to return in sound health. That is a sacrifice which never can he forgotten, and it must l.e appreciated always. We have held Mr Seddon in the highest esteem always. When lie first- entered the lists at sudden call, he comported himself as he should, and he never has hcen otherwise than a high-minded man. charged with the best of ideals, and lent on solving his country to the fullest ability. He lias served the people well. Now is coming the opportunity to appreciate it in a very public way.