THE Kawhia Settler. FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 1906. The Late Hon. R. J. Seddon.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 263, 15 June 1906, Page 2

THE Kawhia Settler. FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 1906. The Late Hon. R. J. Seddon.

The cabled news of the sudden death of our Premier was received with grief, not unmixed with dismay, by everyone in our community. •• Seddon dead!” These words that last Monday were in the mouths of all New Zealander?, have rinee been echoed around the world wherever the white man lives. We mourn, for we have lost a friend, and a leader ; our strong man, who voiced our feelings, gave ex pression to our| sentiments, and repre tented the true democratic, yet Imperial, spirit of our people. The worldi particularly the young “white” nations row growing into being under tbe British flig, may well join us in Our sorrow, for “ Seddon ” stood f»r humanity - “ white ” h imanity first it may be, although his great nature was all embracing. As time and experience ripened and chastened his forceful character, be felt tbe irksomeness uf tbe shacklee of party ; be wished to be classed not as a Liberal, or Democrat# or Socialist, but by a term of broader significance—Humanitarian. He fearlessly boat out tracks for others to walk in, and to the bst bo was full of plans for improving tbe conditions of life of the people who so Lng entrusted bim with office and power. He bid bis limitations and foibles in plenty, but they were over! < ked oforgiven in admiration of bis many h gb qualities and great strong nature, if anything they served to bring him nearer ns, to make biin on? <>f us—- “ Dick.” Undoubtedly bi strenuous political life sborton< d hii 'lay j , and Net Zenter.ders wbilj cherish his memory will not forget r, or b w largely they ,have benefited tb<-ougb his eff >ls He died in barre r, in Iho mid-it (f bis work, at ibe height uf bis powers, and fullness i honour \