The following Resolution and Address was, on the motion of T. Kennedy Macdonald, Esq., and seconded by Dr. Findlay, LL.D., unanimously and enthusiastically adopted by the meeting:—

"That this great gathering of Liberals, in public meeting assembled, herewith "tenders its congratulations to the Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon, "P.C., LL.D., Prime Minister of New Zealand, on the conclusion of "his Ten Years' continuous office as Prime Minister, and desires "his acceptance of the accompanying Address":—

The Record Premiership.

To The Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon, P.C., LL.D., Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Sir—

We desire to tender you our sincere and hearty congratulations on your having completed Ten Years of continuous office as Prime Minister of New Zealand. During that long period you have been responsible for legislation which has assisted the Colony to make a marvellous advance in every direction and add enormously to its national wealth. Never before in the history of New Zealand has so much been done by Parliament to improve the social and moral advancement and material welfare of the people. The extension of the Franchise to Women in 1893 was a forward movement, which has led other colonies in the same path. The Industrial and Conciliation Act and the Factories Act of 1894 gave to Labour an independence and liberty which has been the theme of commendation by political economists throughout the civilised world. The Government Advances to Settlers Act of the same year inaugurated the new departure of the State lending to its citizens on page break mortgage moneys at a low rate of interest. This important measure, capled with the Land for Settlement Act, by which the Stale took the right to aquire large estates for Close Settlement, have been the main factors during the past to years in the great development of the natural resources of the Colony.

Your courage in asking the people of New Zealand to recognise that the aged who had not prospered in the battle of life were entitled to a yearly oension as Soldiers of Industry has been amply vindicated. The Old-age Pensions act of 1898 has proved a beneficent measure of the greatest value to the pionees of New Zealand, and it has led to statesmen of other lands, seeking in its provisions a panacea for the needs of the aged poor of their respective countries.

The Colony as well as the Shareholders of the Bank of New Zealand we much to you. Your boldness in placing the credit of the Colony behind the [unclear: hn]k was a masterpiece of Finance, and averted a financial collapse which would have proved an irretrievable disaster.

The farseeing and masterful manner in which you handled the Midlad Railway question not only saved the Colony from immense loss but preserved its, [unclear: h]onour and reputation. The subsequent treatment of the London Debenture-holers of the Midland Railway Company was a proof of the generosity and honorale feeling actuating the Government and Parliament under your guidance.

It is impossible in the brief limits of an Address to enumerate the log roll of valuable Acts of Parliament which have been passed during your ten[unclear: u]r of office. The unexampled prosperity of New Zealand during that period speaks ladly as to the wisdom and prescience you have shown year by year in guiding the Country in its legislation, and which has done so much to keep New Zealand in the forefront amongst the self-governing colonies.

During your record Premiership you have represented the Colony aroad with conspicuous ability and success. The Conference of Premiers in Hoba[unclear: t] in 1897, Her late Majesty Queen Victoria's Jubilee, the First Conference o Colonial Premiers in London, the Inauguration of the Australian Commonwalth, the Coronation of His Majesty the King, and the Second Conference [unclear: c] Colonial Premiers in London, have all shown your power to deal effectively [unclear: w]ith great questions of Imperial interest. The statesmanship displayed by you in the matters and in New Zealand's assistance to the Mother Country in connection with the South African War has carried your name far and wide throughout the E[unclear: m]pire.

The many honours conferred upon you during your visits to the Motherland have been most gratifying to the people of New Zealand. The distincti[unclear: on] of being created a Member of His Majesty's Privy Council, of being presente[unclear: d] with the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh, St. Helens, and other Towns, of bing made page break a Doctor of Laws of the Universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh, and a member of the most ancient Guilds of the City of London, is a proof of the world-wide reputation you have attained.

We trust that the policy of progress and development for New Zealand, with equal opportunities for everyone of its people, which has been the ideal of your political life and labours, may continue, and be strengthened year by year.

We tender you once more our cordial good wishes and congratulations, and hope you may long be spared to give to New Zealand your wide experience and ripened judgment in connection with her public life.

We have the honour to remain, Sir, Your very faithful friends. Signed for and on behalf of the Great Meeting of the Liberal Party in the Opera House in the City of Wellington, held on the 2nd day of May, 1903.

W. H. Quick

, Chairman of Public Meeting.

T. Kennedy MaCdonad

,

Edwin Arnold

, Hon. Treasurer.

W. J. Culver

, Hon. Secretary.