Mr Seddon in Australia

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8105, 4 June 1906, Page 2

Mr Seddon in Australia

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Per Frets AsHociatiou). MELBOURNE, June A dinner tendered by the Victorian Government to Mr Seddon was attended j by .-ill the members of tbo .Legislature ! except ten. Sir Dent occupied the chair. ! ; Sir lv, Talbot, the State Governor, wa« j j present. Tbo words "Haeremai" and ! I •* Kia Ora," composed of electric lamps, j were among»t the decorations. Mr Bent said it was the finest political gathering ever seen in Victoria, and no other man in the world had been ao honoured. The Governor, in replying to the toast of hid health, referred to Air Seddon as a great man, and the pioneer in politics of social advancement. Arid as long as the Empire produced such men there was no reason to fear the degeneration of the Anglo-Saxon race. Mr Bent proposed the health of the guest of the evening and regretted exceedingly that Mr Seddon had not attended the Pro- j juiers' Conference, as ho would have I been a material help. He expressed great pleasure at bis (Mr Seddon's) ] efforts to establish friendly commer- ] I cial relations between Australia and Now Zealand. He hoped the conference with Mr Deakfn would result in closer relations. If capital and j labor would only work together in Australia as in Now Zealand, Australia j : would be one of tha brightest countries j in die Empire, especially if she ex- 1 | changed her goods with New Zealand I and the Old Country on reciprocal I terms. Ho advocated giving England . preference in trading with the eolonieß instead of allowing Germany and other | foreign countries to compete on the j same terms. New Zealand could boat i Victoria in oats, but the latter had the ] advantage in wheat. The keynote of tho whole speech was reciprocity with New Zealand and the encouragement of { trade with England. The toaat won j received with enthusiasm, | Mr Seddon spoke for an hour on broad lines. He eaid ha would return a disappointed man unless his visit resulted I in closer commercial relationship. lie j was Batusfied tho people in tho States j visited favoured reciprocity, and ho would recommend removing the Australian sugar duties. Mr Seddon's remarks • on arbitration and other advanced laws j evoked great applause. .