AN EMPIRE'S EULOGY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8133, 13 June 1906, Page 2

AN EMPIRE'S EULOGY.

PBS TO ESS ASSOCIATION. Wellington, June 12. The Acting-Promier has received the following cablegrams from the Sccro tary of State for the Colonies :

London—" I am commanded by His Majesty to convey to you the expression of the deep regret with which he lias received the intelligence of the death of the Prime Minister of New Zealand. His Majisty is assured that the loyal and distinguished services which Mr Soddon has rendered during his long tenure of office, will secure for his name a permanent place among the statesmen who have most jealously aided in fostering (he sentiment of kinship on which the unity of the Empire, depends. From Lord Northcote, GovernorGeneral of Australia:—" On behalf of the people of Australia, the Parliament and Ministers rf the Commonwealth and myself, I have to request you to convoy to the people of New Zealand our profound sympathy in the loss to them, to Australia, and to the Empire, occasioned by the sudden death of their Primo Minister. Oar whole community has been shocked by the news of the death of one so lately our guest, while devoting himself, apparently, with inexhaustible energy and spirit to the completion of projects having for their objects the mcroascd we' fare of the people of his country and the Commonwealth. His ser vices to New Zealand are as Veil kuoir here us ibey m valued

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at their worth among tho people with with and for whom his life was spent. They are appreciated not only on this side of the world where his work •lnolly lay, but in distant dominions, where his intense patriotism and humanitarian principles and administration, which is limitod by no political boundary, havo made him famous among the masterful Empire builders of our times. Taken suddenly from the midst of important duties, his great place in your community will be impossible to fall, yet his memory will be an example to his suooessors of the vast good that can be accomplished by the exercise of great ability and earnestness of purpose, animated by love for the Empire and his fellow citizens,"

From the Seoretary "of State for tbe Colonies, London: " His Majesty's Government have received with the greatest regret the news of the death of the Prime Minister of New Zealand. Please convey to Mrs Seddon exprcs sions of my deepest sympathy, and to the people of New Zealand our sense of the loss which they and wo all have sustained by the removal of a statesman so distinguished in the history of the Colony and the Empire." Messages of sympathy have also been received £from tho citizens o* Levuka, tho Federal Houlder and Shire linos, the Premier of Natal, the Mayor of Brisbane, the Speaker of the South Australian Legislative Assembly, the Leiohhardt (New South Wales) Borough Council, the New South Wales Sugby Union, the Temora and Ballarat Borough Councils, and many others. It is estimated that the messages of condolence received by the Aoting-Fremier consideralby exceeds one thousand.

THE LONG DAY CLOSES. Sydney, June 11. Tho Oswestry Grange experienced fine weather from the time of departure till her return. The Sydney Liedertafvl, at practi. to-nigbt, carried a resolution of doopesl sympathy with Mrs Seddon and family, mul us a f urthor mark of sympathy san>> Sir Arthur Sullivaa's part song " The long day closos." It was suggested to Mr Carruthow that the Uswestry should be escorted to New Zealand by a warship. He communicated with the Governor, bui owing to the Admiral being at sea, and the other vessels of the Squadron scattered, it was impracticable to do anything with such short notice. Mrldoobnb, June 11. Mr Deakin intimates his intention to moving tho adjouenmont of the House to-morrow out of respect to Mr Soddon. He will take the opportunity of delivering a eulogium. The Senate meets on Wednesday, and it is expected that the Chamber will also adjourn

AUSTRALIAN PRESS NOTICES BmsBAtTE, June 12. The " Courier," in a leading article says: "Mr Seddon was one of the most conspicuous figures the Empire lias over known. It will be tho kcenosi regret, his passing way in the fulness of his years and usofulnoss, not only ii English-speaking communities, but in all free countries to whom liis name was the syuibal of enighteninent and progress. He belonged to no partieulaschool of political thought, and would havo been tho last to attempt to define his opinions in scholastic terms. Like Mirabeau in France, like Bismarck in Germany, he did not allow theories to stand in the way of practical reform which plain facts showed to be necessary for the welfare of his people and the development of his country. By his passing away New Zealand loses the finest statesmen she ever had, one of the Empire's grandest sons."

This morning's " Daily Mail," in a leading article on Mr Seddon says: Mr Seddon, like his former revered chief, John Ballance, died in harness He has been privileged to pass away painlessly and. suddenly, while his popularity is at its zenith. Despite the indications that he had begun to distrust the utility of some of his own legislation, for Mr Seddon was ono of those who not only grow mentally, bul is not afraid to reyise their opinions, during the lust sevi-n yoars' labour legislation lias had a rest, and Mr Seddon more I ban pau>inned tV nxtre'iiost pushing tV.-ir rir'iN too far. Mr Seddon's lan l Icisltliivi was important, perhaps more sn 111 m lii< labor legislation." The artmh'ws on to refer to the various Aeh an! nin<>m!. ing Acts r.dalin™ to bin 1 \n*ml liv Mr Seddon, also other nets int'liHinq; Klectoral Reforms, which were not mere show or half-hearted measures, butcirried boldly in iho faoe of bitter opposition. Mr Seddon gave the worker* more political and industrial sions than the labor party ■ • in any country despite despern' ■ '-iir . Unquestionably Mr Seddoa I' ju the aspirations of the radical sc"f ,u e'ming people of New Zoaland in tii. effective way he always saw that mcasures'passcd by him were oarriod into effect, in conclusion the article says : "Though wo may not agree with all done by him, wo beliove tho universal feeling throughout Australia is that tho Empire is poorer through hu death."

The " Age," referring to the death of Mr Seddon, says: "To write to-day that Mr Scddon is dead, is to say that in the busiest part of his life came his death. The last month of Ms'life had perhaps been a pageant of his sue Besses. A man of his calibre eannol KOnio and go as other men do. A Tiibour member shouted to him on Friday last: ' You are the grcatcs' figure in the British Empire' That, perhaps was a daring flight, but he certainly stood out on Australasia's horizon as very much distinguished amongs' his peers. For him there was no rosl

>r cessation from activity. The pacta lived at would have tried a youn» and vigorous man. There is no doubt that Mr Seddon was composed of qualities th >t. a;i to. make great men Ke weildcd Ihe destinies of New Zealand with a facility that showed him to bo a born ruler. No ottor New Zealand Premier can stand evon a poor <ceond to him in the breadth of outlook and the capacity of seeing before and after. Had his lot been cast in a Primo Ministership of the Imperial circle he would probably have been as distinguished thore as ho is in Australian politics. Ho has earned tho

noblost of tributes for a life's noble work done nobly. Ho has fallen with the shouts of his many ovations still in his ears. " After life's fitful fever he sleeps well," but New Zealand will mourn friend nnd father <vho has tcnlorly watched over her, and loved her as ho was beloved in return. -Vmongst many farewell telegrams that Mr Seddon sent to Melbourne from Sydney before euiliarkineon Sunlay evening ono to Mr Bent (Victorian Premier) contained the words whirh proved to be prophetic ;" Leaving to. niglit for God's own country." We have since, we hope, heard of his arrival there.

Sydnky, June U, | Tho " Telegraph," in its first leader. says: " Tho remark of the Premier of South Wales that the news of Mr Sc.-ldon's death came as a public •hoi-k in no way overstates the profound impression which the return of '>« Osiyoslry Oinuo with I, P p mournful freight yesterday made upon the >»onlo of Australiu Up till Sunday, when he left this country for his own, j Vfr Seddon had figured during the few | busy weeks of his visit here as a hale

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•nan, as robust and vigorous physically is he bad always boon politically. Hu final day born was spent with characteristic activity, yet the outward signals »l Sunday inormng sped aim on his last journey, and in a few hours he was dead, apparently owing to the tturdy body's inability to oontinue longer tho ceaseless, strenuous struggle which it had waged so long. Death 'oves a shining mark, a signal blow, and lueh a mark and such a blow it achieved in striking down with dramatic sudienness tbe most notable Australasian statesman of his time. As the Premier >f the longest standing, and of the most prosperous of these countries, and is a leader whose unique experience had been to see his following enlarged at every appeal to the people, his political record was incomparable. la ibility as an administrator, and in the management of men, he probably had no peer among his contemporaries. The judgment of futurity will unloubtodly award Mr Seddon greatness in the history of New Zealand, and notice him prominently in that of the Empire in his time and locality. The personality that has loomed so large md so long in the colony will be poignantly missed." <

The " Herald," in its first leader, says: " A great citisen of the Empire ind a foremost spokesman of Greater Britain has passed away. The vacant place left by the death of Mr Seddon will create anotable gap not only in the public life of New Zealand, but-in that of Australia, and far beyond its confines. That tragically sudden event tame at the close of what was almost a triumphal tour of the States, and at a time when the result of the general election had apparently secured New Zealand's Premier and his colleagues * in office for years to come. But in a sense his work was done, and however, rnuch critics and public opinion may lifter as to his politics and methods 'here will be a unanimous verdiot on the man that he was a strenuous and forceful figure in his day and generation. He believed with an enthusiastic and whole-hearted faith in his own province of the Empire, and in the life of tho Imperial system as a whole he played no inconspicuous part. His ipiuions on Imperial questions could not be ignored. He succeeded in naking the influence of his personality felt in the councils of Imperial statesmen. fwn the outpost of Australia in tho Pacific, his words of varning and prevision have oompelled ittcntion, and his last effort on Australian soil was directed to. the task of wakening the intelligence of this Commonwealth to the gravity of the utuation now and in the future, as be-•-ween oursolves and our foreign neighbours in that ocean. He was an eximple of that type of public man developed sometimes by political conditions in self-governing Greater Britain, which is able to cultivate broad views of national responsibility as well as talent 'o regulate and control local affairs, 'tiehari Seddon's utterances-on matters of Imperial interest affeoting our >wn quarter of the globe could not be ignored. He has loft tho scene of his life's work at the zenith of his influence md popularity, and for what pnblio man could his friends desire more P" Adbuidb, Jdue 11. The "Advertiser," commenting on the sad death of Mr Beldon, pays a warm tribute to the gre.itest deceased statesmen, and the value of his services to New Zealand. Particular reference is made to tho saocess of his democratic policy anl his attachment to Imperial interests. The'. "Advertiser " says: " There is no statesman who filled a more oouspicuous place in Greater Britain, and inne will be nourned more sincerely throughout the wide dominions under King Edwar l's sway. His person il character endeared him to an cror-widening v oircle of friends, while his public services wore recognised in oyery land whore the English spooch is known. It is onlv lately that Preiideut Roosevolt declared that lie had watched with keen interest the legislation introduced by Mr Seddon in New Zealand, and had a strong dPsire to- visit the country, that he might be enabled to observe its practical operation. The personal history of Mr Seddon during almost the whole of .his public, life takes a part in tV> a-mls of New Zealand. In every respect his career as a pnblio man and a statesman has been remarkable. Without recommendations to the high position almost indispensable in other oonntries, such is wealth, or aristocratic connections, or classic attainments—he rose from the ranks, and proved equil to the elevated sphero he reaohed. His' Jong continuance in power alone -gave nim a distinguished place amongst colonial statesmen for 27 yeears. His long continuance in power was accompanied by an over-increasing popularity. It was not by setting his sails to catch the popular breeze that Mr Seddon retained and inoreased this favor of the people, but by a just confidence inspired by his high character, his capaoity as a statesman, and the practical effect of his public-administration.' The " Advertiser" eulogises Mr Beddon's strong'sense of -publio duty, and quotes almost his last pnblio words in his last political speech delivered in Adelaide, "I do sincerely believe God has helped New Zea. land because we havo tried to do our duty."