SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1901. DICK SEDDON'S RECORD. Eight Years Premier and Still Going Strong.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 44, 4 May 1901, Page 8

SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1901. DICK SEDDON'S RECORD. Eight Years Premier and Still Going Strong.

MR SEDDON S record is phenomenal From the humble position of a gold miner, on the West Coast, he worked his way steadily, and by sheer force of ability and character, to the foremost position in the State. Upon the death of his political chief and leader, eight years ago, Mr. Seddon assumed the Premiership Many members of the Ministerial party were doubtful of his capacity to lead and govern His political opponents openly scoffed at him He was only a digger, a man without scholastic education, and he would prove to be a mere Jack m office. * * * Mr. Seddon has lived down all these taunts, and compelled the reluctant admiration of his critics and adversaries He has shown administrative talent of a very high order. As leader of his party, he has had to contend m debate with some of the ablest men m New Zealand, and he has not been found wanting. In party generalship and Parliament ary tactics he is admittedly without a rival in this colony. His legislation has been largely experimental, but, in nearly all cases, the experiments have proved to be successful, and have tended to ameliorate the conditions of life in New Zealand, and to facilitate the true progress of the country. • • • - The Picmier has had some trying emergencies to cope with, and some awkward questions to grapple, but he has been found equal to every call His versatility is as remarkable as his powers of endurance. He stepped into the Premiership at a critical time, held his party together gained the complete confidence of the country, and discharged his difficult functions as easily as if he had spent half a lifetime in conning his lesson. At another critical period he boldly assumed the portfolio of Colonial Treasurer, and, although at the time it was regarded as a Quixotic feat, his record will bear honourable comparison with that of the able financiers who preceded him. He also took upon himself the duties of Native Minister, without any prior acquaintance with Maori habits and customs That lesson, like all others to winch he has applied himself, he veiy quickly learnt • • * Eight years have passed away, and Mr. Seddon is still Premier There is no other Premier in the British dominions who has s,uch a record He is the only member of the House of Repiescntatives /ho has held his seat continuously since the general election of 1879/ and during those twenty-two ye&is he has never changed his constituency. His reputation has gone far beyond the borders of New Zealand As a Melboui ne paper remarked the other day, "he is one of the most powerful personalities in Australasian politics." He has shown all the qualities of a successful statesman, and, by the lead he gave to the colonies m the matter of the war in South Africa, he has written his name in bold characters upon the annals of the Empire ♦ * * Premier Seddon has made mistakes, but he has not lost his head or grown too big for his boots. And

his government has been so conspicuously for the well-being of the people at large, and has kept the colony so consistently on the path of progress and prosperity, that, at the end of eight years' rule, perfect peace prevails. The Opposition can find nothing to do. Not a single Opposition speech since last session , hardly a discordant note even from the Opposition press ' It is a truly marvellous record. There have been rumours that Mr Seddon was played out, that he was going to retire on a peerage, that he is seeking a rest. All moonshine, apparently. In entering upon his ninth year he calls out cheerfully from Greymouth that he will retain his present position as long as he retains the confidence of the people. May his health prove equal to the contract, for the people are perfectly satisfied