KING DICK'S HOLIDAY. Some Beneficial Results.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 33, 16 February 1901, Page 8

KING DICK'S HOLIDAY. Some Beneficial Results.

THE Premier has benefited by his two months holiday m Australia, and New Zealand has not suffeicd On the contraiy, Mr. Seddon has played his pait uncommonly well over on the othei side With the geniality which is characteristic of him, he has deeply impressed the people and the statesmen of Australia \vu.. the pregnant fact that, although New Zealand remains outside the federation, she joyfully acclaims the Commonwealth, and will watch its progiess with the keenest and most sympathetic interest He did not attempt to prognosticate Nor did he laisc up or encourage hopes that this colony might m time see her way to seek union with the other States. * * # But he left no stone unturned and no opportunity neglected to impiove the relations between New Zealand and the sister colonies He struck the chords of Impenal patriotism, brought into piommence the essential solidarity of all paits of the Empire, and showed that, even without political ties, theie aic many great bonds which aie bound to keep Australia and New Zealand m close communion And, at the same time, he was able to allay and mollify certain jealousies and prejudices which had arisen and been reflected in print through mistaken views of the Seddon Government's policy touching a South Island federation, and particularly m 1 elation to Fiji In all these matters, Mr Seddon pioved himself to be both adroit and discreet. * * * On his part, he lias leaint a good deal about Australia, and he has brought himself and this colony into closer neighbourly contact with oui brethren across the water The exchange of views on subjects like the

Pacific cable, the penny post, commercial reciprocity, and South Sea Islands control cannot fail to be productive of mutual benefit. That suggestion, too, about the necessity for a very much faster and greatly improved intercolonial steam service will not prove to have been dropped in yam, even if it only sets people talking And there is not the slightest doubt also that Premier Dick's blunt reminder, that m the matter of news New Zealand was being shabbily treated, will not be lost upon the Australian press. * * * Mr Seddon's visit to Australia has been beneficial in another sense and direction. For some years past his opponents have using the taunt that his was a one-man Government, and that he arbitrarily controlled everything. For the last two months, the King has been away, and Mr. "Ward has been acting as Regent. It has tried and proved his competency for the highest position m the State. He has worked like a Trojan, and not only has he kept abreast of his work — not only has he shown himself equal to such an unusual emergency as directing his country's mourning for the Queen's death, and arranging for the proclamation of the King, but he has discharged his multifarious duties of State with so much savoir faire and so manifest a desire to accommodate all reasonable wants as to extort praise even from political opponents His arrangements for the tour of the Imperial troops is the latest exhibition of his administrative talent. • • * Unquestionably, the colony is glad to welcome back Mr. Seddon, and delighted to know that he resumes active work with invigorated health It is also pioud to realise that m Mr Ward he has a coadjutor who has the capacity and skill to greatly case his burdens In the past Mr. Seddon has overtaxed his splendid constitution and indomitable energies In future he will be well advised to act more upon the principle of "divide and govern." The colony won't go on the rocks because he can't be übiquitous, and because other hands than his own take their turns at the helm.