MR SEDDON IN AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8114, 19 May 1906, Page 3

MR SEDDON IN AUSTRALIA.

MORE BANQUETTING. A A'IGOROUS SPEECH. Received 10,140 a.m Sidney, May 18. The New Zealanders 1 banquet and reception to Mr Seddon was the most brilliant function yet carried out by the New Zealand community. Mr Jackson, manager of the Union Coy, presided, and amongst tho guests were the members of the New South Wales Cabinet and Mr Frank Bullei (the well-known novolist.) Apologies for non-attendance were received from Mr Deakin and Sir

Henry Lyne. Tho Chairman, in proposing Mr Seddon's health, said that amongst the names which readily occur to ts as men who bad done much for the Empire were those of Sir George Grey, Sir Henry Parkes and Sir John McDonald (of Canada) and Mr Richard Saddon. He paid a liigh" tribute to tho man who first came into public life as a champion of the rugged miners of Wcstland, and who for thirteen years gaided the destiny of New Zealand. Seddon replied in a vigorous speech. He expressed his gratitude for the way in which his health was drunk, and the honor done the colony through him was enhanced by the presence of the Mother State. He expressed his pleasure at the statement made by Sir Malcolm McEachan in regard to the popularity of New Zealand, aad although it might be that Australia at the present <vas not spoken of as favorablj as his own colon)*, he looked' forward to the day when she would occupy the foremost position in the Empire. He went on to say that he found there was a disposition on the part of leaders in public life to ask whether this or that action would be popular. Public men should be leaders, nstead o: being led. They.should fearlessly voice that which they believed to be good.

He strenuously urged racial purity. Any other course mapnt deteriorating and endangering the Empire. He (poke feelingly of the great mortality amongst infants. One thing he felt proudest of was that New Zealand had the lowest death rate in the world. He was determined that the system of training nurses should be carried to <uch an extent tlut eyerv hamlet and every soul would be within the reach jf trained nursing. One thing he intended t-o sec about when he returned to New Zealand was the question of having more New Zealand news sent to the Australian Press tie proposed t!io health of Mr Carruthers, who, replying, said no colony was deserving of so much respect as New; Zealand at the hands of NewSouth Wales. In the dark hours of the Mother Colony, in the times of drought and bu»h fire, New Zealand was first to offer assistance. .New Zealanders who came to New South Wales, anl found occupation m various walks of life, were heartily welcome, because of their grit, manliness and character. Mr Scddon was a leader in Imperialistic ideas, and a leader j he was always glad to follow.

Lord Northcote entertained Mr Scddon at lunclt to-day.