IMPERIAL LEADERS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 72, 26 March 1934, Page 10

IMPERIAL LEADERS

OTTAWA AND LONDON

MR. STEWART'S MEMORIES

THE PLAY OF CHARACTER

Personal impressions, some amusing, of Empire statesmen whom he had met at conferences in Canada and also in London during the past few years were given by the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, M.P., at the luncheon of the Auckland Creditmen's Club, reports the "N.Z. Herald." ~ The conferences in question, Mr. Stewart said, were the rmperial Economic Conference at Ottawa, the British Commonwealth Conference at Toronto and that of the. Institute of Pacific Kelations at Banff. He remarked that while a good deal of popular opinion held that such gatherings were futile and resultless, there was no other way to solve international problems cxeept to discuss differences piece by piece and endeavour to find common ground. The alternative was national isolation, with all its evil effects. All three conferences" that he had mentioned had aimed at peaccin tariffs, economics, and political relations. ME. BALDWIN'S ORATORY. Mr. Stewart described Mr. Stanley Baldwin, the British leader at Ottawa, as a typical Englishman. It was easy to understand why he was trusted as a man of sound judgment and common sense. It was well known that he remained in public life because he felt it his duty to be there, although he would, as ho said, much prefer to lead the life of a simple country squire. "At first I was a little disappointed with his speech and appearance,'' Mr. Stewart said. "He read his speech, and read it badly, I thought. However, at a birthday gathering given by Mr. Bennett, the Prime Minister of Canada, a day or two-later, he spoke to us about the English countryside and his own birthplace near the River Wye. He held us absolutely spellbound, and when he had finished it was a quite a shock to come back to everyday realities. His description of country life was quite like those he has given in his charming essays." ■ • • | There was another side of Mr. Baldwin's character, however, as the public discovered when he turned on theBeaverbrtHjk- press, which had been biting at his heels, and administered a devastating rebuke, and in one sentence put an end to the annoyance. AN EMPIRE PARADOX. The Irish delegates at Ottawa were enigmatic, subtle, and on guard all'the time. Mr. Stewart said he was placed next to the Irish Free State Minister at the opening function, and when he did not rise on the.entry of the GovernorGeneral there were murmurs from people; in the galleries. They thought that he was an Irishman and wa' deliberately remaining seated. A sprightly lady at one of the conference dinners asked an Irish delegate if he did not object to drinking soup from a, platewith the Royal Crown on its side. "Not at all," he replied, "if the soup's hot." The South Africans were stolid and cautious. Three of them, it appeared, had fought against Britain years ago. This reminded Mr. Stewart of a story told him by Mr. Mackenzie King, a former Prime Minister of Canada. Mr. King, at a reception at Buckingham Palace, found himself conversing with the King in company with an Irish and a. South' African statesman. The Irishman remarked that possibly he ought not to be there, as he had once been gaoled for rebellion. The South African capped this by saying that he had fought against the British. His Majesty observed that no doubt Mr. King had a perfectly clear record. "Oh, no," said Mr. King. "My grandfather fought as a rebel in the Canadian rebellion.". "Oh, that's all right, "remarked the King. "I.suppose that is the way my Empire is.built up." On the subject of .the Indian delegation, Mr. Stewart recounted how Sir A. Chatterjee, as chairman of a committee, once approved the subject of a. British resolution and then offered to" put it into good English. INFORMAL MR. THOMAS.. Among other Imperial figures, Mr. Stewart spoke cordially of Mr. 3. H. Thomas, Secretary of State for the Dominions, who had shown him many kindhessess at Ottawa and in London. Mr. Thomas, he said, had declined to Visit Australia and New Zealand be-cause,-as he said, "I've left England three times, "and every time I leave there is a strike. So I must stay here." In spite of his apparent irresponsibility,, Mr. Thomas was an extraordinarily shrewd and able man, and it was a_ surprise to-sec how well he handled his department. He had an immense fund of humour and his manner was most informal. A few minutes after making new acquaintances he was to be found addressing'them by: their Christian names. "I remember at one meeting, "said Mr. Stewart, "he came across and whispered in my ear, 'Downie, my boy, you can go back" to1 New Zealand as 'appy as 'ell; we've got these'blighters feeding out of our 'and now.' " : . After giving some recollections of Mr. Montagu Norman, Governor of the Bank of England, .Mr. Stewart said that.British leadership.had done more: than any other influence toward solving the problem of armaments and giving financial and economic peace to a troubled world. ""We should be proud to live in the orbit of that great counIV' -L he declare(J- "In spite of what Mr. Bernard Shaw may say, we will continue to call it our 'Home.' " Avote of thanks to Mr. Stewart was carried on the motion of the chairman Mr. J. A. C. Allum.