THE MAN OF THE HOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8126, 4 June 1906, Page 3

THE MAN OF THE HOUR.

MR SEDDON IN VICTORIA. ENTERTAINED BY THE GOVERNMENT. MELBOURNE'S FINEST POLITICAL GATHERING. TRADE RECIPROCITY Received 3, 0.5 p.m. Mecbocbne, June 3. The dinner tendered by the Victorian Government to Mr Seddon Was attended by all the members of the Legislature except ten. Mr Bent Premier, was in the chair, and the Governor was present. Tho words " Haeremai. Kiaora," composed of electric lamps, was amongst the decorations. Mr Bent said it was the finest political gathering ever seen in Victoria, and no other man would have been so honored.

, The Governor, replying to the toast of his health, referred to Mr Seddon as a great man and a pioneer in politics and social advancement. So long as the Empire produced such men, there was no reason to fear degeneration of the Anglo-Saxon race.

Mr Bent proposed "Our Guest." He regretted exceedingly that Mr Seddon had not attended tho Premier's Conference. He would have been of material help. He expressed great pleasure at Mr Seddon's efforts to establish friendly commercial relations between Australia and Now Zealand. The States wcro interested in the question, and he hoped the conference with Mr Deakin would result in closor relations. If capital and labor would only work together in Australia as in New Zealand, Australia would be one of tho brightest countries in the Empire, especially if it exchanged goods with New Zealand and the Old Country on recipriocal terms. He advocated giving England preference in trading with tho Colonies, instead of allowing Germany and other foreign countries to compete on the same terms. New Zealand could beat Victoria in oats, but tho latter had the advantage in wheat.

The keynote to the whole speech was reciprocity with New Zealand and the encouragement of trade with England. Tho toast was received with enthusiasm.

Mr Seddon spoke for an hour on broad lines. Ho said ho would return a disappointed man unless his visit resulted in closer commercial relationship. He was satisfied the people in the States he hnd visited favored reciprocity. Ho would recommend the removing of the .Australian sugar duties. Mr Scddon's remarks on arbitration and other advanced laws evoked great applause. LABORS' BEST FRIEND IN THE WORLD. A VICTORIAN LA.BOR BUREAU. COPYING NEW ZEALAND'S SCHKME. Received 3, 5.3d p.m. Memioukne, June 3. Mr Seddou visited Ballarat yesterday, and was entertained at luncheon by the Mayor. lie was tendered n welcome by the Trades and Labour Council. A deputation from the various unions said they regard* .1 him as the man who had done more for labor than any other ruau in the world. They, wished they had him in Australia.

He also received an address from the Progressive Association, w!iieh stated that New Zealand was a striking example of progress, worthy of emulation by any self-governing State.

Mr Bent, Premier of Victoria, has informed Mr Scddon of his intention to establish a State Labor Bureau, and asked Mr Seddon for pa iiculars of the New Zealand system, a.i-l for the loan of one of the principle L ibour officers to inaugurate the system.

Mr Seddon agreed to the request, and said it was the commencement of that reciprocity which, lie felt sure, would be for the industrial peace and prosperity of Victoria.