The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1915. SEDDON.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1915. SEDDON.

'J'o tlu! present generation tlie great work of the late Richard John Seddon needs no carved satne to remind them of what he accomplished for his country. Jt is, however, fitting that the close proximity to the scene of his labors ami triumphs for the welfare of the people , of New Zealand should be graced by such a grand creation of the sculptor's art as that which was unveiled in tha parliamentary grounds at Wellington on Saturday. As yet his achievements as Premier of the dominion are too near to be accurately assessed from an historical point? of view, but there can be no doubt that the record that will go down to posterity will mark him out jas the most original and masterful | premier that had hitherto presided over 1 tiie destiny of what lie was pleased to call "God's Own Country." That which later generations will fail to realise was j his intense personal magnetism and staunchness to his country as well as to his friends. Possessed of the gift of intuition to a remarkable degree and almost prescient in its accuracy, hebecame what Lord Liverpool aptly ! expressed as "an Impelling force. Essentially a man of action and equipped with a courage that broke down all obstacles, he stood out far above all his predecessors in office as the personification of action having for its object the i betterment of his fellow citizens and the desire to uplift his country to the forefront of the nations of the world in all that counted for the welfare of the people. He took hoM of the reins of government when Now Zealand was breaking away from the past and carving out a name for herself as the most progressive dominion in the Empire, and it was under his wise sway that the good work initiated by his predecessor, John Ballance, was brought to fruition with consummate skill and success. He loved his country and its people, and he gave of his best in their service. But he did more than this, for be laid the foundation of that bond of Empire which to-day is so magnificent!}' in evidence at the theatre of war. Theretofore Imperialism had been a vague sentiment, but when the Boer war broke out lie made it such a vivid reality that it spread throughout the. whole of the dominions as if by magic, and the first link forged by him has produced j a chain that can never be broken. He saw the need for action in the crisis that had arisen, and, guided by his unfailing intuition, made an offer of troops that was promptly accepted. Today we see the fruits of that'outburst of imperialistic spirit. Australia, Canada, India, and New Zealand have thousands of men fighting for the Empire, and even South Africa, the cause of the ; first passing of the "crimson thread through the khaki dye" (as a contemporary aptly describes it) is with us in the fight. Lord Liverpool compares Mr. Seddon with the younger Pitt, but the comparison is one that, while it might be nattering to Mr. Seddon as a genius, utterly fails to present him in his true light and proportion. He can be compared with no one, for ho stands out alone as the unique possessor of gifts that pre-eminently fitted him for the role lie Jmd to discharge in a young country and for dealing successfully with the problems of govormneent on new lines. The Prime Minister (Mr. Massey) bore testimony to Mr. Seddon as a great imperialist and the initiator of humanitarian legislation that would last for all time, while Sir Joseph Ward rose to the occasion, as was to be expected, and paid a glowing tribute to his former chief, who for thirteen years guided the destinies of New Zealand. He lives in our memory, and posterity will know that the physical giant whs is represented on the pedestal at Wellington was as great in mind and action as he was in stature, while his large heart was ever beating in unison with the nation. In honoring such a true patriot, statesmen, and imperialist, we only pay a just tribute to one who proved himself worthy of the highest place in the esteem and veneration of the whole Kmpirc.