Presentation to the Premier.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 15, 10 April 1902, Page 19

Presentation to the Premier.

The Canterbury Hall, Christchurch, was packed to the doors on Tuesday evening on the occasion of the presentation to the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, ou behalf of the Colony prior to his departure for the Coronation ceremony. The chair was occupied by the Mayor (Mr. A. G. Rhodes), who called upon Sir John Hall to make the presentation. As ex-Premier and an old public servant, said the chairman, the committee thought no more suitable person could be found. As for the testimonial itself, over 20,000 signatures were already in, but various districts had still to send in signatures, which would be bound and forwarded later. These represented all shades of political opinion.

Sir John Hall in the course of a patriotic speech eulogised the services rendered by the Premier to the Empire daring the past two years in sending the contingents to South Africa. After reading the address Sir John Hall begged the Premier to accept it on behalt of the colonists of New Zealand, without distinction of class or party. He confidently believed that it would be treasured by Mr. Seddon and his descendants as a tribute of the eminent service rendered by him to the Colony and the Empire. The fact that it was presented by one not able to see eye to eye politically might add to the value in his estimation. Sir John Hall concluded by saying that the address would b 9 supplemented by a purse, which was not yet ready, but which represented a'large amonnt subscribed in many tmall amounts.

Speeches were also delivered by Messrs G. G. Stead and T. W. Stringer.

The Premier, in reply, reviewed the events of the past two years and the part he had taken in sending troops to South Africa. He said that New Zealand's prompt action had come from the people of the Colony, snpported by almost the entire Press of the Colony and by all parties in the Legislature. In respect to taking the initiative, if any credit was due, it was simply because there were times in the government of a country as in a family, when it was necessary to act promptly, quickly, and decisively. Hesitanoy was the cause of much of the world's trouble. Better for a man sometimes to act quickly and wrongly than to vacillate or never act at all. People would forgive a man who made mistakes, but not one who never acted. The moral effect of New Zealand's action had been a splendid testimony for the Colony. In conclusion, he said that the addresses delivered that night and the testimonial signed by 20,000 colonists would be treasured by him as long as life was in his body. It had been mentioned that something tangible was to follow. That never troubled him. There had been a good deal of pin-pricking, and much had been eaid and written which would have been better left unsaid and unwritten. They knew him too well to attribute his action to selfish motives. He left New Zealand not simply as Premier of New Zealand, not as the representative of a party, but as the representative of the Colony to convey their loyalty and devotion to the throne and constitution, and the detraction of their representative was a detraction of them. But they need have no fear for their kindred. The Mother Country knew that the Colony had been wholly unselfish in its services. He left the Colony strengthened by their kindness, and hoped on his return to still say he had done bis duty. It was one of the most enthusiastic meetings ever held in Christchurcb, and the Premier's speech raised the enthusiasm of the audience to the highest pitch.