LATE LORD OXFORD

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 120, 18 February 1928, Page 9

LATE LORD OXFORD

TRIBUTES IN BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT “SNAPPING OF A LINK WITH THE PAST” DECISION REGARDING BURIAL-PLACE Striking tributes to the late Lord Oxford have been paid by leaders of al! political parties in the House < f Commons and the House of Lords. One speaker described the passing of Lord Oxford as the snapping of a link that bound this generation with the past. Rugby, February 16. It is announced that the late Lord Oxford and Asquith will be buried in the churchyard ul All Saints at Sutton Courtney village, on the Thames, which was his country’ home for many years. In accordance with the special wish expressed by Lord Oxford, the funeral of the great statesman will be private, but it is not yet known whether it will take place at his birthplace, Morley, in Yorkshire, or at Sutton Courtney, where he died. With the full concurrence of the Government a public funeral in the Abbey has been proposed by the Dean of Westminster. The executors, however, were unable to accept, as Lord Oxford had left written instructions that there should be nothing in the nature of a public funeral, and that he should be buried “with the utmost simplicity.” The national sorrow caused by Lord Oxford’s death continues to find expression, and many hundreds of letters and telegrams have been received by his widow, while cablegrams from all parts of the Empire and foreign countries have also arrived in great numbers.— British Official Wireless. TRIBUTES IN PARLIAMENT “ONE OF THE GREATEST OF PARLIAMENTARIANS” Rugby, February 16 Leaders of all parties in both Houses of Parliament to-day paid their tributes to the deceased statesman. In the House of Commons Mr. Baldwin, Prime Minister, said he was essentially a House of Commons man, and was perhaps one of tb.e greatest Parliamentarians of last century. He was a scholar steeped in the classics. His speeches were literature. There was no meretricious adornment, not one .excessive word. His argument was closely reasoned and logical, and his whole speech (compact, as it had been fitted in in the brain of a master. His judgment, helped by his temperament, which was essentially judicial, was rarely at fault. Mr. Baldwin thought few leaders in the House of Commons had made fewer mistakes in judging the temper either of'his party or of the House. He maintained his’poise in all matters connected with the House. Nothing upset him, nothing ruffled him. His personal integrity was unassailable. His loyalty, whether to those whom he served or to those who served him, never failed. It was lovalty deep-seated, built in his character, that wrought no evil and thought no evil. His was a nature large and magnanimous, which never harboured a mean thought. He was always ready to let others have the credit, while being always ready to take on his shoulders blame belonging to others. Referring to the bitter controversies in the years immediately preceding the war, Mr. Baldwin declared that he could remember no instance in which the dead statesman spoke words that were false, or words that could wound. Throughout his life he conferred distinction on the public life of this country. Mr. Baldwin, concluding, said, “May it be our lot to leave behind as fragrant a memory as that of Lord Oxford.” Mr. Ramsav MacDonald (Labour) associated himself with the Prime Minister’s tribute. He said Lord Oxford was a party leader, who in most stressful moments never used weapons that were not honourable or made appeals, which were cheap or base His death snapped a link that Iround this generation to the past. He was a cultured gentleman, and a man of the world, looking upon men with humour, toleration, and stoicism. Mr. D. Lloyd George said that while Lord Oxford during the last three years had been a member of the Upper Chamber, he would always be remembered as Mr. Asquith. He was essentially a House of Commons man. It was generally recognised that no more perfect or finished debater had ever taken part in the discussions of the House of Commons. He always gave the impression, not of an advocate pleading his cause with earnestness and passion, but of a Judge summing up the facts and delivering judgment. Temperamentally, and as far as mental equipment was concerned, he was essentially judicial. Mr. Llovd George concluded: “He died on the’ banks of the Thames. His spirit was akin to the river—placid, calmmoving with steady flow, never' boisterous or turbulent,' even in the very worst weather. He has passed into history, and will fill his place there with impressive distinction.” In the House of Lords the Marquess of Salisbury, Conservative leader, said Lord Oxford was a great party leader, statesman, and administrator, and would hold a tremendous position in English history. As Prime Minister in 1914 he had the moral courage to accept the arbitrament of war, though no man was more opposed to war. Lord Haldane (for the Labour Partv) atid Lord Grev (Liberal) joined in the tributes. Lord Grey, who was Foreign Secretary at the outbreak of war in 1914, declared that the fact that this country came into the war, as it did, with practical unanimity, was due, he believed, to the effect of the qualities displayed by Lord Asquith. Both Houses after these speeches adjourned as a mark of respect to the deceased statesman.—British Official Wireless. SCENE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS AN IMPRESSIVE OCCASION COUNTESS OF OXFORD LISTENS TO TRIBUTES (Rec. February 17, 9.30 p.m.) London, February 16. The tribute of the Parliamentary leaders to Lord Oxford’s character and career was given in silence and in an almost complete solitariness seldom attained where a crowd of such size gathered. A. pathetically quiet corner .was the 4

dark recess of the ladies’ gallery, where Countess Oxford, her blanched face startlingly clear against the blackness of her mourning, listened with an alertness which triumphed over fatigue. Others of the family were beside her. When the speeches were concluded the Commoners rose slowly and left the Chamber to its symbolical desertion. The Countess immediately rose and went to the Lords’ gallery, where she sat, a drooping figure, over the heads of those paving further tributes. It is announced that Lord Oxford will be buried in the churchyard of Al! Saints’ at Sutton Courtney at noon on Mondav. Onlv relatives and close friends' will be present. Applications for tickets to attend the Abbey service are several times over in excess of the accommodation.