Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 1906. PARLIAMENT’S TRIBUTE TO LATE MR SEDDON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3692, 30 June 1906, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 1906. PARLIAMENT’S TRIBUTE TO LATE MR SEDDON.

The eulogy which accompanied the remarks of the different legislators who spoke to the motions relating to the late Premier’s death was certainly merited. From both sides of politics, speakers were found eulogising the life works and personality of Richard John Seddon, and there was no mistaking the sincerity of Parliamentarians. In the Legislative Council, the Hon. Mr Pitt touched the right cord when he asserted that Richard Seddon’s many measures for the amelioration of the condition of the people stood to-day as monuments for the welfare of the people. Honoured by his sovereign, deeply esteemed by the people, he passed to his long rest after having lived a strenuous, useful, and absolutely unselfish life. Though he was dead the public men of New Zealand had his example before them to emulate and follow, by endeavouring to bring to a fitting consummation his noble works for the benefit of the people. There was no reason in political differences why they should not all unite to aid in passing into law the humanitarian measures which had been outlined by the late Premier. It was the Hon. Mr Pitt which proposed the motion, Hon. Baillie seconding, it being carried unanimously, the members standing ;

“ That this Council desires to place on record its high sense of the devoted and distinguished services rendered to New Zealand and to the Empire by the late Prime Minister, the Eight Hon. Richard John Seddon, P.C., and of the loss the colony has sustained by his death ; and respectfully to tender to Mrs Seddon and her family the assurance of their sincere sympathy with them in their bereavement.”

In the Lower House, the Premier, Hon, W. Hall-Jones, touched feelingly on the loss to the colony at the late Premier’s death. Throughout his life, Mr Seddon’s honesty of purpose, indomitable will and untiring energy, combined with his personal magnetism and capacity, made him stand out as a man of history. Further brilliant reference was made to Mr Seddon’s life, before the motion was put to the House. It was Mr Massey who seconded the resolution. In doing so, he referred to Mr Seddon as being the most prominent man in the colony without exception, and in Australasia. Mr Seddon was always a strong, masterful, persistent man, a good friend, and a great judge of character; a won*

derfiil organiser ; a man who aimed high and who knew eifiPtly what he was aiming at. His lifework, said Mr Massey, was marked on the legislature of this country. The Hon. J. Carroll, Sir W, J. Steward, and Messrs W. Fraser and R. McKenzie were other speakers to the motion, which was carried unanimously : ‘ ‘ That this House desires to place on record its high sense of the devoted and distinguished services rendered to New Zealand and to the Empire by the late Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Richard John SeddOn, P.C., and of the loss the colony has sustained by his death ; and respectfully tenders to Mrs Seddon and her family the assurance of its sincerest sympathy with them in their bereavement.”