"FATHER OF THE HOUSE."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1103, 17 April 1911, Page 5

"FATHER OF THE HOUSE."

A TESTIMONIAL. Bγ TelecrapWress Association-CoDyrteM London, April 15. The Liberal Council is promoting a testimonial to tho Kight Hon. Thomas Biirt, M.l',, "Father of the House of Commons."

The following sketch of Mr. Burt is given ii> tho 'Tall Mall Gazette' , Guide to the Houis of Commons:—Although he would not bo styled by the I.L.P. as a member, tho Eight Hon. Thomas Burt has probably rendered more service to the causa of his fellow-workers than mnety-mne out of a hundred of thosa who discourse so glibly on the dignity of labour. Lorn as long ago as 1637, tho son of a miner, he began working "below (he surface" at ten years of age. Tor eighteen years lie faceil all the perils attaching fo tho work of a coal-miner, and in 1865 lie was promoted by Ins fellows to the post of secretary of tho Northumberland Miners' Mutual Provident Association, and still holds that position. He is a hard-headed, sensible yet withal conciliatory personality, and has had much to do with conciliation and arbitration over trade disputes. Hβ has been president of tho Miners' Union since 18S2, and was most properly included in tho Government of ISD2 as Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade. Ho is n self-educated man—and very good at that—and has contributed several thoughtful 'articles to the "Nineteenth Century," "Fortnightly," and "Contemporary." He is a, Home Euler, but opposed'to the Miners' Eight Hours Bill. Ho has sat for Morpeth since 1874. He is liked and respected by friends and opponents.