RICHARD JOHN SEDDON

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1931, Page 2

RICHARD JOHN SEDDON

25TH ANNIVESARY OF DEATH

CEREMONY AT STATUE.

(Wellington “Dominion.”) 1

Old West Coast friends, Ministers of the Crown, and member of tue deceased statesman’s family stood around the statue of the late Rt. Hon Hicham John Seddon in Parliament grounds on Wednesday afternoon to nav their respects to his memory on the oceus-en of the twenty-fifth anniversary of his death.

On behalf of his Ministerial colleagues, the Prime Minister, the Rt. 1 Lon. G. W. Forbes, placed, a wreath at the base of the monument, while earlier in the day a large lauivl emblem was put there hv members ot the Seddon family. Numerous messages iron-, all parts of New Zealand were ice: end by the family, as well as. a large nu:. - her of wreaths. 'i he.se were dep -s.to i at Mr Seddon’s tomb in the Sydney Street cemetery.

In addition to Mr Forbes the ceremony in Parliament grounds was attended 1 by the Minister of Lands, Hon E. A. Ransom ; the Postmaster-General, Hon J. B. Donald; the Minister of Justice, Hon. J. G. Cobbe; the Mini; t: Fof Health, the Hon. A. J. Stal 1 worthy ; tho Lender of the Legislative Council. Sir /Thomas Si (ley; and the lion. K. Masters. Others present included Mr Vincent Ward, M.P. for Invercargill; Mr T. E. Y. Seddon. ex-M.P. for Westland ; Mrs B. B. Wood, and several friends of the late Mr Seddon. Mrs R. J. Seddon who celebrated' her e ghtietli birthday on May 28 last, was unable to be present through ill-health.

Mr Forbes said that in placing the wreath at the foot of tho statue they \vertj paying a tribute to a man who had stamped his perscnalitv on the f rtunes of Now Zealand. In eceupying t.lm office of Primp, Minister lip recognised the high standard set by the men who had ocennied that- post in the past. Mr Sodden was one of those who had placed the position of Prime Minister on a very high rlasne. “Ye are here to pay a tribute to Richard John Seddon, a man who gave great service to the people ovet; whoso destines be presided.” said Mr Forbes.

Mr T. E. Y. Seddon replied on behalf of his mother and the Seddon family. He mentioned that Mr Forbes was a friend of - his father and that he stood for the same principles as his predecessor in dfficc twenty-five years previously. After the ceremony several of the Ministers adjourned to Mrs Seddon’s residence to pay her their respects.