The Premier's Trip.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 140, 17 June 1904, Page 2

The Premier's Trip.

CHAT WITH MR SEDDON. During the Premier's stay in Auckland, he was visited by a New Zealand Herald reporter, who writes : Mr Seddon was sitting on deck when a Herald representative went on board the llineinoa on Tuesday afternoon, lie had just returned from a brief visit to the Iris, and instead i>f wearing the nautical costume which ono usually associates wuh a yachting cruiße, ho was attired in a morning dress, and woru a silk hat. Mr Seddon was looking decidedly fugged, and his face was pale, and bore (races of the illness through which he hud gone. There was, too, in his manner a lack of that buoyancy which was wont to bo one of his most striking characteristics, indicating plainly a loss of physical strength. In truth, he looked a weary Titan, though he spoke hopefully of being soon bis old self again. "I have had," he remarked, "a very trying time, but my doctor is confident that I have turned the corner, and that with care, I will go on improving. Yes, us you say. I have been doing too much, working night and day, but the Premier of tho colony has so much to do, and If |, O would do it he must not spare himself. And, after all, if he breaks down, it is somo satisfaction to know that it is because of his devotion to (he public service. What has touched me more than anything in my own case has been tho kind and sympathetic messages I have received from all classes in the colony. We may have our political differences and bickerings, but ncath them all thero is still the milk of human sympathy." The Premier then went on to speak of the impending departure of Hia Excellency the Governor. Ho was pleased, ho said, to note the kindly feeling shown in Auckland towards Lord Kanfurly, and expressed his regret at being unable to be present, tit. the Wellington demonstration. He spoke warmly of Lord l(imfurly, and expressed his belief that his successor, Lord Plunket, would prove equally popular. Referring to tho lattor's family of six, be added jocularly that we were gradually inoculating the British aristocracy with our colonial ways of life anil thought. Alluding to (ho state of the country, lie said that wherever he had gone he found the same condition of things prevailing—prosperity and contentment. The ncoplc were happy and well off, and like all people in that enviable condition, were not troubling themselves much about anything in particular. With regard to the coming session, he did not see that it would prove an unusually arduous one, although, as was always the case, it would, of course, Involve a good deal of hard work. He hoped, however, by exercising great caro, to bo able to stand tho strain.