OUR PREMIER.

Motueka Star, Volume III, Issue 124, 21 October 1902, Page 4

OUR PREMIER.

WILL HE LEAVE US ? The London correspondent of the New Zealand Times says :—-The impression not only of the man-in-the-street, but of those more or less behind the scenes here, that Mr Seddon will shortly try his fortune in South Africa, is gaining ground. It is argued with some force that he has never directly denied the report of his intention so to do. “I have not decided upon going to South Africa ” was his latest pronouncement, and those who maintain, not from information received, but from mere inferences, that Mr Seddon is going to leave “ God’s own country,” explain this utterance by declaring that it may be true that King Dick has not yet come to a final decision, but that, he very soon will. .

The “ Daily Express” says.—“lt is probable that before many months are over Mr Seddon will tender bis resignation as Prime Minister of New Zealand, and will prepare to remove to South Africa, where he will take up politics’ seriously, with a view to becoming a leader in South African affairs. Before leaving London, Mr Seddon stated that he bad not fully decided upon his course, but that he had almost made up his mind to make the change from New Zealand to South Africa. There are only a few minor considerations which bar the way at present, and Mr Seddon himself thinks that these will be easily overcome. He will probably make his home in Cape Colony, arid at once begin a vigorous campaign on what is calle<f the ‘ popular side ’ of South African' politics. Mr -Seddon, Prime Minister for Cape Colony, is therefore among the possibilities of South Africa.”

Prior to his departure Mr Seddon was interviewed by the “British Australasian.” His swan-song was on much the same lines as his previous warblings. He thus summed up the benefits resulting from the Colonial Conference .Affirmation of the principle of prefereniial tariffs in favour of the Mother Country and of preference in Government contracts to colonial produce ; consultation with the colonies prior to treaties being entered into with foreign nations; the inclusion in contracts with cable companies that the State shall have the right to resume at a given time, and improved facilities for the admission of colonials into the naval and military forces. Grow cotton in the Empire, and subsidise steamers as cruisers and mailboats, cany all newspapers from the Mother Country to the colonies free, were hints given by Mr Seddon. Finally, asked whether he intended to settle in New Zealand, Mr Seddon replied, “ I have not renounced New Zealand ; nor have I decided upon going to South Africa. Prior to leaving New Zealand, I said I was going to the Mother Countiy as ‘Mr Seddon,’ and I should return as I went. The responsibility is my own. There might possibly have been a change had inclination led me in that direction. To those who seem so very anxious to see a change, 1 say ‘Taihoa.’ ’,