THE LATE PREMIER.

Waipukurau Press, Volume I, 19 June 1906, Page 2

THE LATE PREMIER.

—*— Memorial Service. Rev H. O. Hampden, who is relieving Rev W. F. Martin, conducted the evening service at the Church of England, Waipukurau, on Sunday evening. IN early all the sitting accommodation Was occupied. The minister preached a forcible sermon, the text being from St John vi-6. Allusion was made to “ Goa’s Great Plan,” which the preacher compared to the saying “ the greatest good for the greatest number.” Referring specially to the late Premier, the speaker said the dec a ed statesman had ever worked to that end ; had laboured in the interest of the weak and oppressed, and had passed away at the height of his power. Though the nation mourned and deplored his loss, it was a part of the Great Plan that he should go, after years of toil in the colony’s behalf- People exclaimed, “ Where shall we get another like him ? ” But he believed that the plan would, be followed—that other would follow on with good work. The rev. geutleman spoke of the late Premier’s high character and indomitable perseverance, and exhorted the young to take pattern in this respect, for in that very building then might be some, destined to shape the colony’s future. The discourse was an able one, full of interesting and telling points. Mr Slade sang in good voice Tennyson’s “ Crossing the Bar,” and at the conclusion of the service Miss Jolley played “ The Dead March iu Saul,” the congregation standing. Following are verses from hymns sung during the service : — If Thou shouldst call me to resign What most I prize, it ne’er was mine ; I only yield Thee what is Thine ; “ Thy will be done.” Days and moments quickly flying Blend the living with the dead; Soon will you and I be lying Each within our narrow bed. “ Earth to earth, and dust to dust,” Calmly now the words we say, Leaving him to sleep in trust Till the Resurreotion-day. Father, in Thy gracious keeping, Leave we now Thy servant sleeping. Memorial services are being held throughout the colony. The Home-coming. The five days’ journey across the Tasman sea was a weary experience. The coffin containing the body lay in the saloon, and one or other of Mr Seddon’s family present kept vigil day and night. A glass pane in the coffin allowed the features to be seen. It is said the expression of the face was calm and peaceful. One of the warships that went out to meet the Oswestry Grange missed that vessel in the ocean. A number of Maoris who wanted to chant dirges found themselves locked in their hotels, aud they were very indignant in consequence. Some, however, were present at midnight when the body was brought ashore. The Funeral. The steamer Oswestry Grange arrived at Wellington on Saturday night about 10 o’clock. The body of the late Premier, encased in a lead coffin, was brought on shore at midnight, and conveyed to the Ministerial residence in Moles-worth-street. The funeral will take place on Thursday, at 2.30 p.m. Mr Seddon’s remains will be interred in the Bolton-st. cemetery,. Wellington. A large number of country people have left to attend the funeral. Hon W. C- Smith proceeds to Wellington to-morrow. Advice to Boys. While in Australia recently Mr Seddon visited the Riverview College. Addressing the students, be said • —“ Boys, I have made it a point always to be earnest in my work, and I have risen, despite all disadvantages ; learn this moral, determine only to succeed, and you shall succeed, come what may. you successes, never allow them to turn your head. I have risen to the top of politics in New Zealand, have been trusted with great issues, and am still guiding the destinies of a fair island. To-day I am wearing a hat no larger than when I first entered public life. Above all, be manly ; never strike one your inferior. Though there may be differences of opinion between you, rather forego your contention that ever persecute the weak. Through a long political life I have ever made it my aim to side with the weak, and I advise you, if you would be true men, manly and respected, to know your own strength, and never oppose it to one weaker than yourself.” Reminescences Mr Seddon recalled with relish some of the unflattering things that were said of him by journalists and others in the salad days of his political career. One pressman on the occasion of his succeeding to the Premiership wrote ; —“ Had anyone a few years back predicted that the rough, little-educated, and excessively talkative member for Westland, would be the Premier of

New Zealand, he would have been scouted as a madman. Of the science of Government, as carried on outside New Zealand, he is as ignorant as a baby. ’ Another paper sad, “Mr Seddon is stubborn, and now that he is the man in possession, it may be • found a very difficult matter to ■. j shift him.” So it has proved, for after 13 years of office he was in a stronger position 1 han ever. “ That gentleman,” said Mr Seddon, '‘must have realised that weight was bound , to tell.” Again another prophet, “ that while Mr Seddon is a good fighter, he will be a dismal failure as a leader. His training is deficient " but his aspirations are good.” A newspaper man from whose eyes the scales must long since have fallen, stated in print that Mr Seddon is impossible as Premier. We give him credit for capacity, but we cannot see the statesman in him.” Not long ago, the same newspaper in which the statement appeared, said, “ Our Premier is the greatest statesman in Australasia.”