"KING DICK" OR "LORD RICHARD?" He Prefers the Peoples' Title.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 111, 16 August 1902, Page 8

"KING DICK" OR "LORD RICHARD?" He Prefers the Peoples' Title.

THE Coronation is accomplished, the King is well, the nation is glad, and the boxful of Coronation honours is empty. Glittering baubles have been happily bestowed on most worthy objects. It brings us nearer to the King to have amongst us those whom he has been pleased to honour. We are glad that some of the gifts of the monarch have come to the Pacific Islands. It reminds us that we are members of the Imperial family, and we are pioud of our relationship * * * Riohaid Seddon, according to eveiy Opposition paper in this colony, and every sycophantic literary echo on the Australian Continent, has been "hanging back" for something sweet m the ■nay of a dukedom or a governorship for quite a long while. His motives, according to the same authorities have been utterly self-seeking. Wherever plain Dick vSeddon, of New Zealand, has gone he lias created an unprecedented enthusiasm His courageous stand on all matteis upon which he has made up his mind has been admired, and ha& also called forth the satire of many of the professional wits of England (who must have swatted hard over some of their jokes). Had he, the plain Premier of New Zealand, innocent of titular handle, accepted any Coronation title, the 'Satirists- would have worn out many pens in making jokes thereon » * * In spite of jibes, in spite of penny-a-lme prophecy, he will come back to New Zealand with no more addition to his name than had Richard Cobden, John Bright, or William Ewart Gladstone to theirs. Richard Seddon remarked many times, before he left New Zealand, that his interests were centred in New Zealand Kis enemies knew, with perfect certainty, that a dukedom would rob his friends of his services If have watched events very closely \on would have noticed that many papers at Home have considered King Dick' 9 views outre and startling. Undoubtedly , they frequently are, but he has a knack of winning people to his views that has always made them listen to him with respect. * * * He has advocated measures designed to further the interests of the Empire, and particularly of that spot of Empire to which his enemies hope he is not returning. Richard Seddon's onward

rush has not been stopped by a, Coronation honour, and his voice has not been stilled by the present of a sinecure in Africa. Tsie frantic prophets are remarkably silent at present about the "Duke of Kumara," "the Governor of Matabeieland," or "the Marquis of the West Coast." He has taken the wind out of their sails by remaining Richard John Seddon to New Zealand, and plain Mister Seddon to the rest of the world.