The Daily News. MONDAY, JUNE 25. THE WESTLAND SEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8141, 25 June 1906, Page 2

The Daily News. MONDAY, JUNE 25. THE WESTLAND SEAT.

PuracirALLY on sentimental grounds, the candidature of Mr T, Y. Seddon for the constituency of his late father, will be viewed with favor throughout the colony. It is not unlikely, howover, that the election will be a contested one, Mr H. L. Michel, Mayor of Hokitika, having intimated his intention to contest the seat against all-comers. Mr Michel was always a supporter of the late Premier, and his decision, while complicating matters somewhat, is not likely, if we are any judge of the feelings of Westland electors, to seriously affect the result of the election, The kindly and honorable motives that have prompted the Westlanders to l'Ominate Mr Seddon—the son of the only man who ever secured tfce'r confidence—is almost certain to outweigh every other consideration in the minds of the most loyal constituency in the colony. Apart, however, from thai consideration, it is generally understood that Mr Tom Seddwi is a young man of more than average ability, not likely to prove himself unworthy of the rest o risibilities his lamented father's admirers are eager to thrust upon him. He has given promise of possessing many of the strong traits of his father's oharaeter, and has

proved his worth as an athlete and scholar of much more than ordinary ability. Having demonstrated his ability in the only avenues irt which he has so far engaged, being credited with the possession of much shrewd common sense, and debating propensities, and having grown up in n political atmosphere, familiar, no doubt, with nil the moves of the political machine, Mr Seddon may prove to be what his friends hope - " a true chip of the old block." At any rate, it is almost certain that Westland will giye him the opportunity of winning his spurs, and despite his years, there are few who will grudge him the opportunity, and Westland this means of honoring the late Premier and his family.