Mr Seddon in Sydney.

Manawatu Herald, 22 April 1902, Page 2

Mr Seddon in Sydney.

BANQUET ON SATURDAY.

The Draytou Grange entered the harbour shortly after two o’clock on Saturday afternoon, and berthed at Sydney at four o’clock. The Warrimoo, outward bound for Wellington, went alongside the vessel at the Heads, and took off the mails from the Premier and the regiment. The Drayton Grange-proceeded up the harbour amid a serenade by the vessels and harbour steamers, ■ The Hon. E. W.- O’Sullivan, Minister for Public Works, boarded the vessel, and welcomed Mr Seddon. The vessel had a pleasant voyage across. One horse died.

Forty-eight stowaways were found m after leaving Wellington. Thirty were enrolled. The remaining eighteen were either unfit for serviee. Or under age, and will be returned to Wellington. A brilliant gathering attended the banquet given at the Hotel Australia in the evening under the auspices of Birt and Company and the Moulder Company to welcome Mr Seddon. Amongst-those present were MaSSrs Barton (Federal Premier), J. See (New South Wales State Premier), B?R. Wise (State Attorney-General), O’Sullivan (State Minister for Works), G. H. Raid (leader of the Opposition in the Federal House), Sir W. J. Lyne (Federal Minister for Homo Affairs), James Mills (generalmanager Union Steam Ship Company). Mr 0. Cox (representative of the Federal Steamship Company) was chairman. Mr Barton, Mr See, Sir W. J. Lyne and Mr Wise eulogised Mr Seddon, who was presented with bouquet On behalf* of the shipping companies who tendered the banquet. It may be mentioned that but for the companies forestalling the Government of New South Wales, the latter had intended to give a reception to Mr Seddon. Mr Wise characterised Mr Seddon as a great- Englishman, who not only represented the Imperial interest, but represented democracy. He would figure in English history as one who helped to make the Empire a living reality. Mr Seddon was accorded a greatreception on rising to respond. Amidst shouts of “ Kapai the King,*' he said such a gathering was not a personal honour, but an honour to his colony, which was ever friendly to Australia. He hoped in the interests of both that the friendliness would continue. Whatever differences of opinion might* exist between the statesmen of Australia or the politicians of New Zealand, it could not destroy our friendship, which was begotten of kindred in- ~ terests, which were largely identical. They must first work together for the common good. Pot the time being, New Zealand had to work out her own destiny, but she would ever look with a friendly eye on Australia, The speaker trusted that for the present they would have reciprocity, not reprisal. The question was, who will hold out the olive branch ? New Zealand was prepared to do so. Font years ago a law was passed permitting reciprocity with South-Australia, fie bad been too long a public man to be drawn on the Pacific Island question, but the New Zealand policy for the last thirty years had been a desire to see the British flag waveover all the islands, 1 and a conviction that a foreign possession could not be otherwise than inimical to British interest. Australians would find * when the time came to discuss the question that it would not be discussed as to how it affected Australia . or New Zealand, but as to how it , would affect the British Empire. He protested against being used as an instrument of torture to pin-prick the Federal Government on various matters. Because one oolong happened to have tendered a contingent before another was nothing to cavil at. He gave a denial to the statement about sending a horde of Maoris ! to settle the war, but reiterated hia remarks about the kid-gloved methods of the war. The Empire League has decided to I recognise Mr Seddon’s services to the Empire by holding a public meeting, and presenting him with an address of welcome. Lord Kitchener cabled on Friday instructing .the transport Drayton Grange to proceed to Durban. ’ Lord Ranfurly’s farewell telegram was. read to the troops, and was much appreciated by officers and J. men. , , The Federal Ministry telegraphed Mr Seddon sympathy in regard to the railway accident to the Eighth Contingent in South Africa. Mr Seddon was not aware of the disaster before leaving Wellington.