Mr Seddon in Australia.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8192, 19 May 1906, Page 5

Mr Seddon in Australia.

Entertained by Maonlanders.

By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Per Press Association.) SYDNEY, May 18.

The New Zealanders gave a banquet reception to Mr Seddon. It was the most brilliant function yet carried out by the New Zealand community. The Chairman, in proposing Mr Seddon's health, said that amongst the names which readily occurred to them as men who had done much for the Empire were those of bir George Grey. Sir Henry Parlies, Sir John McDonald, of Canada, and Mr Seddon. He paid a high tribute to the man whe first came into public. life as the champion of the rugged miners of Westland and "who for thirteen years had guided the destiny of New Zealand. Mr Seddon replied in a vigorous speech. He expressed gratitude for the way in which his health had been drunk. The honor done his colony through him was enhanced by the presence of the Ministry of the Mother state. He expressed pleasure at the statement made by Sir Malcolm McEacharn as regards the. popularity of New Zealand, and although it mii>ht be that Australia at present was not spoken of as favorably as our own colony, he looked forward to the day when she would occupy the foremost position in the Empire. He found there was a disposition on the part of leaders in public life to ask whether this or that action would be popular. Public men should be the leaders instead of being led. They shcfuld fearlessly voice that which they believed to be good. He strenuously urged the necessity of maintaining racial purity. Any other course meant deterioration and endangered the Empire. He spoke feelingly of the great mortality amongst infants. One of the things he was proudest of was that New Zealand had the lowest death rate in the world. He' was determined that the system of training nurses should be carried to such extent that every kamlet and every soul should be within reach of trained nursing. One thing he intended to see about when he returned to New Zealand and that was the question of having more New Zealand news sent to the Australian press. Mr Seddon proposed the health of Mr Carruthers, the State Premier, who, m replying, said no colony was deserving of so much respect as New Zealand at thie hands of New South Wales. In the dark hours of the Mother colony, in the times of drought and bush fires, New Zealand was the first to offer assistance. New Zealanders who came to New South Wales and found, occupation in various walks of life were heartily welcome because of their grit, manliness and character.

Lord Northcote, the Governor-Gen-eral, entertained Mr Seddon at lunch to-day.