The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1904. THE PREMIER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 102, 4 May 1904, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1904. THE PREMIER.

The long term of office enjoyed by Mr Seddon forms the subject of congratulatory remarks in several of the leading papers in the colony. In the course of a sympathetic article the Wanganui Herald writes : —" Little did the Premier's political opponents 'dream, when he first Altered upon his responsible duties, that he would so long hold undisputed sway. It was freely predicted that ho would not be in office for eleven weeks, much less for eleven years, but they egregiously miscalculated the will power, determination and strength of Mr Seddon. The great test of statesmanship is a capacity to rise above mere temporary and local details to those larger ideals of life and duty which ultimately determine the history of a nation. And who shall say, after hia eleven years' Premiership, that Mr Seddon has not risen to the occasion, more particularly on Imperial questions, and disproved the captious armchair criticisms of those who failed to see in him any fitness for the position lie has so long occupied? It would be ridiculous to say that he has not made mistakes : what man living 1 or dead has not ? But it is possible to praise Mr Seddon in unstinted terms without doing violence to one's conscience or understanding. We Ifelieve that, with all his failings, he has been honestly actuated with a fervent desire to makle, New Zealand better ; to improve the condition of heij masses, to develop her resources, and increase her commerce. In. order that we may the more fully appreciate Mr Seddon and the good work he has succeeded in accomplishing, we need but to recall the hopes and fears, the unrest, the doubts and the anxieties so freelyexpressed when he first entered upon his task. It was excusable that politicians doubted and discredited his ability to succeed to the Premiership on the death on his former chief, the late Mr Ballance, for Parliamentarians knew little of Mr Seddon beyond his capability to deliver lengthy speeches and hit hard when necessary. It was doubtless his special ability in that, direction, as also 'his physical ra'ulu'rance, resolution and courage, that led Mr Ballance to select him, as likely to be of material assistance to the Cabinet. There were big battles to be fought, and strength and courage were required to meet the opposition of the large land owner and 11m wealthy employer. How well Mr Hallam.e and his successor succeeded is past history, and we need not. refer to it at any length. Suffice it to say that Mr Seddon has proved more than a match for his opponents. He has done much for the people of this colony, and the services lie has rendered will not be forgotten. His Government, amongst other things passed the old age pensions scheme ; they extended the protection of the State to women and children, and to all workers ; they have fostered industries, provided land for the landless, supported and assisted the farmer, and in many ways benefited the whole community. Mr Seddon still retains the confidence of the people of New Zealand, and his tenure of office 'is likely only to be limited by his physical capacity. And this reminds us that at the present time the Premier is not enjoying the best of health ; indeed, there are some rumours abroad that there js reason for anxiety as to the exact nature of his illness. Giro thing is certain ; that the constant work and worry inseparably connected with the multifarious duties he is called upon to perform, have impaired his constitution and the holiday he is now taking is absolutely necessary to' resldfe him to his accustomed health and vigour. The fact is beyond dispute that of late years l Mr Seddon has tflken far 100 much upon his shoulders, broad as they are. lie has bum tkmg th,e work of two or three men, and li,e will assuredly share the saimi fjite as his predecessors in office unless he divests himself of many of his responsibilities and entrusts ' to his colleagues a greater share of the cares and duties of ollice than they at, present enjoy. For Jijs own sake and in the interests of tlui colony Mr Seddon should take complete rest until the opening of Parliament., and forego much of the work that he Ims in the past been only too ready to undertake. Mr Seddon is 60 years of age. nji'd cannot, possibly possess the strength and vitality that •seemed superabundant when he first assumed the reins of oflice, though his heart is as large as ever, and his will and determination have not decreased by increasing years. We trust, therefore, lie will rest at:

min-h as possible, and in ronßratiilaling him on his ami serviivalilc career, we extend 1 lie hope thai in l may hi.* spared for many years .vol to I'urtlicr assist in the advancement of the interests of the colony audits people."