NEW MEN OF MARK IN THE COMMONS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 32, 1 November 1919, Page 7

NEW MEN OF MARK IN THE COMMONS

In the session of Parliament recently ended two members Lave created big reputations for themselves. They alumi out head and shoulders above their follows (writes the political correspondent of the "Daily Mail"). One is Sir Robert Home, tho Labour Minister, who has stepped without any apparent effort into the very front rank of parliamentarians, and whose abilities as an administrator are second to none in the Government. He gavo up JiSOflO a. year at the Scottish Bar lo become a member of the Government at .£2OOO a year. He first wooed ind then won the confidenco of Labour in hundreds of conferences and personal interviews, and lately has been responsible for the firm handling of the Labour situation by the Government. Ho has tho well-deserved nickname of "Hail, Smiling Home." Tho other success of the session is an old member in a new coat—Lord Robert Cecil, who since his return front the Paris Conference has added daily to his reputation. He is tho mystery man oi Parliament. Once looked on as tho typo of Tory aristocrat in politics, ho how eeems ready to out-do tho democrats in democracy. lie has a large band of enthusiastic young Unionist followers. The Labour men bail inm as one after their own heart. Which way will he ten? What parly will be lead? No one but himself knows. His mind plans somo destiny while men aro wondering.

Two other figures havo marched with some degree of distinction across tho Parliamentary page. Sir Donald Maclean, the leader of the lone band of Independent Liberals, is the Admirable Crichton of politics, compelled by tho scarcity of his followers to speak on every subject. And he does it at times ro brilliantly that he has given a full heart! of hope to a. party that no longer desires tho return of Mr. Asquilh to lead it.

Mr. Clynes has achieved some distinction as a Labour member. He is easily the best of that party. Honourable mention must be made also of Sir L. Worthington Evans for his work at the Pensions Ministry: of Sir Tudor Walters and Sir Kingslev. Wood for their work on housing; of Mr. .T. R. Holmes for his able exhortation? on fina'nee and economy; of Mr. Kennedy Jones for hi* work on London traffic and other matters: of Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson for his grapple with income tax problems; of Mr. M'Curdy for knowing something about food control: and of tho Geddes Brothers for knowing all about everything. Finally, after diligent search thero may be'discovered on tho back benches two modest new fnembera out of all the hundreds arrivin? full of. hope last January who deserve encouragement, nanielv. Captain Elliot, a doctor who lias dissected nolil'l's with considerable skill, and Sir Park Got t>'° most acornplisbed traveller in the House of Commons, who told' his fellow-members that most'of tliem wero uncertain vhethe;lindanes!' was an Indian god or a new plague.