GOOD-BYE MR. SEDDON ! A Premature Send Off.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 129, 20 December 1902, Page 8

GOOD-BYE MR. SEDDON ! A Premature Send Off.

« YjrTE have the best authority for %\ saying that Mr. Seddon mtt nds to finally depart from the colony in May next." Thus, with countless reiterations, the Opposition press of the colony for months. Of course, the report passed into general currency, acid is still flowing endlessly around among the journalistic fry of the country. The only authority the press could hay c sot that Mr. Seddon Intended clearing out from New Zealand would have been from himself. Yet, he laughed at the idea just as soon as he came back from England, and made it quite clear to those who trusted his word that he was anchored to this colony. But, the authors of the report would not relinquish the darling idea so easily. They professed to read between the lines a hidden meaning which justified them m still holding that King Dick was packing up for a flit. And, now he rudely dispels all Opposition hopes by plainly declaring that he is no more likely to leave the country than are Mounts Tongariro, Ruapehu, or Egmont It is, therefore quite likely that, within a few weeks, somebody will be informed, on the most reliable authority, that Mr. Seddon has accepted a Governor-Gene-raJstup, and will leave immediately. There are evidences that in New Zealand a groat many people are aching to demonstrate the correct method of running a co-untiy Naturally, whale someone else is at the wheel the transcendent qualifications of these rumourmongers cannot be shown * * • The people of New Zealand knew perfectly well, 'on the best authority," that New Zealand would lose its Prcmiei in May next. Remaikably foolish people those West Coasters, to send him into Parliament again for only sax months ' Shows what they thought of the "authority." Mr. Seddon made a remarkably strong allusion when he said that the Wanganui people still had the Wanganui river — and himself. Of course, he meant that, like that river, he would flow on for ever. At any rate, in spite of assurances to the contrary, there are to be "three year^ more of Seddon." • • * One cannot help feeling sorrow for the papers and persons who fondly imagined that King Dick was bound for an-

other billet. We have imagined a disappointed "Pest" gnashing its teeth from garret to basement. It is hard, mdeed, that a mmoui ho plausible, has effected nothing. If the Opposition is as disappointed as the Post" it ought to go out of Parliament ars life on principle. How distressing, alter everything seemed to favour aai early departure of Kin;* Diok with hu> cairpet-bag, to find that he is as rooted to: the colony as Ruapeihu itself ' For three more long, weary yeairs the sins of Seddon will occupy the tongues and the- pens of the ruin prophets, anc for thi-eo more years Mr. Seddou will be timed to leave New Zealand by every mail boat Ruapehu Seddon maj have forgottem, of course, that he is due to leave in May next, and, like the mountain of that name, he may "go off" at any moment. It seems evident, however, that rumours do not mislead the people of New Zealand as to the fact that Richard Ruapehu Seddor.'s future is indissolubly connected with New Zealand. For better or worse, here he elects to slay. Perhaps, the Opposition, by hard thinking, may bethink itself of some stronger temptation to change his mind and purpose.