A London Testimonial to Mr Seddon.

Manawatu Herald, 3 May 1902, Page 2

A London Testimonial to Mr Seddon.

The “British Australasian” of 21st March says;—““lt is needless for us to emphasise the value and the vigour of the efforts which have culminated in the despatch to the scone of operations of ten New Zealand contingents, numbering in the aggregate 6000 men, with munitionaof war and horses. In this regard, the Britain of the South, through her patriotic Premier, has set an example not only to Australia, but even to Canada, and may we not say to England herself ? It is thus not merely national but Imperial gratituse>whioh Mr Seddon hai earned, as the, lish’ press to do them justice, have ungrudgingly—in scores of articles, ‘leading’ and otherwise—testified. Mr Seddon has fought many a rough and tumble fight in the political arena of his colony, but fortunately we have at last a movement associated with his career to which no party significance can be attacked. New Zealand as one man has been behind him in his recent policy, and no longer -regards him as the party spokesman, but as the national statesman. Under these circumstances, it strikes us that it would be a fitting thing if New Zealanders resident in this country were to associate themselves practically with the movement for presenting Mr Seddon with a testimonial which had been so auspiciously started id the : never until now so appropriately styled Britain of the South. Even outside the limits of ‘ Anglo-New Zealand,’ there must be a number of Im-perially-minded persons who would desire to participate in what is, as we have said, a tribute not merdly to colonial, hut to'lmperial services. . . . If the movement here is likely to assume the large proportions which we predict for it if properly handled, why should not a separate purse'be formed here, and presented to the patriotic Premier of New Zealand with all due ceremony at- some convenient date, to be fixed by himself after his arrival in this country-to attend the Coronation ?"