MEMORIAL TO MR SEDDON.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10008, 2 April 1910, Page 6

MEMORIAL TO MR SEDDON.

The memorial to Mr R. J. Seddon, late Prime Minister of New Zealand, which has been placed in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral, was unveiled on February 20th by the Duke of Argyll. The memorial, which was subscribed for by residents in England, and New Zealand, has been executed by Sir George Frampton. It occpies a place near the tablets in memory of Sir George Grey and Sir Bartie Frere. The marble portrait of Mr Seddjn is in a bronze frame, on which there are figures representing Administration and Justice, and two wreaths, which bears the names of the cities of New Zealand. Be'ow the portrait is the inscription :—'To the memory of Richard John Seddon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, 1893-1906 ; Imperialist statesman; reformer; born June 22nd, 1845, at St Helens, Lancashire; died at sea June 10th, 1906; buriei at Observatory Hill, New Zealand." The Duke of Argyll announced thet he had received two messages from New Zealand. The Prime Min- | ister, Sir J. Ward, telegraphed, "Mv thoughts are with you to-day," and Mrs Seddon telegraphed, "Revere deeply national honour to-day." The Duke of Argyll said that' by this memorial they desired to mark their affection for the man and their respect for the statesman. They recorded thereby a very happy

life and a happy death. Leaving his • Lancastrian home, Mr Seddon.l wrought a great work in the South- ' i em Seas, wnere a young community, • possessing a glorious land, was free ' to try how its growth might be j shaped to worthy ends. He wished j for no praise ior himself that was not | praise for his adopted country. i They knew that his belief in its future would be instilled justified I under God's blessing, for the progress made had betn commensurate with the highest hopes. The names of Grey and of Seddon would ever be jointly, associated with the early history of Mew Zealand. When con-j suited by Seddon on the acceptance j of the task of forming a Ministry, j Grey wrote to him, "You are acting in a great crisis such as makes a hero. Act with your.Maker for the good of His creatures. What anyone may say or do is nothing to you. The millions of your felluwmen and their Maker—let these be your thoughts. Be biave, unselfish, gentle, but resolute tor good; reflect well before acting; gain time for thought j the good among men will soon gather round you." He followed bravely that brave advice, and became the most trusted leader in all Australasia. He gave no uncertain voice when the call came to prove the union of the Empire. Nobly New Zealand responded to the call, sending, one after the other, ten contingents to South Africa, His spirit still guided her councils. She was foremost in her desire to be represented in our Fleets. And now they honoured his memory in the land that gave him birth—as those honoured it in the land that gave him fame. Archbishop Sinclair, in reply, said that on behalf of the Dean and Chap ter he accepted the custody of the monument of one of the builders of the British Empire in this, the central church of Imperial unity, opposite the memorial of his gr«at predecessor, Sir George Grey. The monument would be an added treasure to their historic associations, and a reminder to all who saw it of their duty to King, countiy and Empire.