The Daily News FRIDAY, JUNE 15. THE NATIONAL MOURNING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8135, 15 June 1906, Page 2

The Daily News FRIDAY, JUNE 15. THE NATIONAL MOURNING.

How exalted a position Now Zealand's late lamented Premier occupied in the estimation of the world-wide British Empire, New Zealanders are only just beginning to realize. Outside Hoyalty itself, it is doubtful whether the demise of any public man within the Empire, i would evoke more spontaneously worldwide expressions of sorrow. Wherever the flag of democracy waves, the namt of Seddon no doubt will be inseparably associated as its foremost champioD, as also it will be, so long as the Empire lasts, with the evolving of that type of Imperial democrat, of which-he was the personification. If New Zealand occupies a leading position amongst tho groat component parts of the British Empire, it is due, in a preeminent degree, to our late Premier's love for and championing of his adopted country. It seems to us that the young New Zealander, though democratic to the core by instinct, association and precept, is more genuinely loyal to the Empire than but a few yoars ago he could have been credited ivith. Mr Scddon's Imperialism, one time jeered at, has Sssuredly left its imprint—unconsciously perhaps —on the minds and on the policy of New Zealanders. By his teachings, we, as a pcoplohave been brpught to a realisation of the potentialities and tho power of the Empire of which we form a part. Mr Seddon's Imperialism was of a type of which the most radical democrat need never have been ashamed. He aimed at the establishing, in very truth, of a great Imperial Zollverein, which wouid cement the homogeneous colonies and the Motherland into an Empire destined to sway the destines of the world. His high Imperial aims and aspirations, apart altogether from his great work as a colonial statesmen, marked him throughout the English speaking world as one of the greatest of peaceful Empire builders. As great, if not groater, was his mana amongjthe masses, with whom lus name was symbolical of tho toilers' chain-

pion. His huinanitariamsm, as demonstrated to the world in New Zealand's advanced social legislation, yielded nothing in importance to the other qualities with which his name was associated. Greater than all, perhaps, was the magnetism of his allpowerful personality, which captivated and endeared wherever it appeared. It is no small wonder that from Australia should already come the proposal that the name of the illustrious statesman should be perpetuated, as a small payment of the great obligation of Australasia for his works. New Zealand will do its duty by the h6nored dead, but the first shock of the news is ye: too keenly felt for action to be taken. When the last sal obsequies have been solemnised, we feel sure from every corner of the colony will be forthcoming memorial tributes. If the efforts of the present generation can perpetuate his memory, then the revered name of Richard John Scddon will be immortalised. If his great scheme of National Annuities should find legislative endorsement, he would not have wished more than that his name should bo associated with it. As " Scddon Annuities," in which every individual in the colony was participating, the memorial would be everlasting. Al the moment, however, we are concerned with a question that is concerning hundreds of people in this province—to be permitted to personally pay their last tributes of respect to the dead Premier. There is a general desire that facilities should be afforded to all parts of the colony to attend the obsequies m Wellington, and the Minister of Railways would be but studying the wishes of a people who at present feel that they have lost one who was more than a friend, if ho provided special railway facilities from, say, to-morrow until after the funeral. We trust the local members of Parliament will immediately take this matter up, and urge the Minister of Railways to give effect to the suggestion.