KING DICK'S HEALTH. A Good Holiday Needed.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 205, 4 June 1904, Page 6

KING DICK'S HEALTH. A Good Holiday Needed.

IT is known to everyone that the health of the Premier has been impaired by too close application to his multifarious public duties That is why, at the urgent desire of his friends and the strong recommendations of his medical advisers, he is now on board the Hinemoa while she makes her periodical visit to the northern light-houses. King Dick is trying to freshen himself up for the rapidly-approachmg session. He is merely taking breath before entering on another of his feats < f endurance. ♦ * * Now, is this wise? The health rf the Premier is a matter of deep concern to the colony which he so successfully governs. His fine, robust constitution has been run down by excessive work A few weeks rest on a coastal trip will tone him up, but will quickly lose its effica<: f if Mi Seddon strips off his coat at ni's cud of the present month for Parliamentary labours What is needed is a longer respite Instead of a week or two on the Hinemoa, a sea trip and a holiday extending over some months are the medicine wanted to brace the Premier up to his pristine health That, we understand, is the medical opinion. * * * Will he take it? That is the question. He has often said he would rather wear out than rust out. But New Zealand is anxious that he shouldn t wear out sooner than the course of nature warrants Then, why not a holiday and a sea-trip ? Sir Joseph Ward can safely be trusted to lead the House m the Premier's temporary absence He has done so before with complete success. In any case, Parliament for the first two months goes ahead under easy steam. If Mr Seddon is determined to legislate this session on two or three big questions that have occupied a considerable amount of attention, he can be back time enough to take up the running. In the meantime, a great deal of work may be accomplished without the presence of the chief navigator of the ship of State One of the first things to be attended to is to cure the defects m the local option law which allow the clearly-expressed will of the people to be frustrated and made abortive When a poll is voided on any ground, the machinery should be automatic for at once taking another vote of the people And, m the case of Newtown and any similar cases, the amending legislation should provide for a fresh poll of the electors on the no-license question at the earliest possible date. • • • There is no other matter of great urgency. Mr Seddon will then be well-advised if he will conserve his energy and give his excellent constitution a fair chance by taking his richly-earned holiday. The political barometer is favourable. There is

a clear sky, and no clouds on the horizon. What is possible to the Premier of New South Wales is equally practicable for the Premier of New Zealand. Wei would not advise our Richard to take a cruise into the Yellow Sea. There are so many floating mines knocking about there. Nor would we pack him off to St Louis to help the Exhibition along But, a trip Home might be permitted him if he will promise to keep off the platform and refuse to be drawn for banquet speeches.