EULOGIES BY LLOYD GEORGE AND CHURCHILL

Evening Star, Issue 24332, 22 October 1942, Page 5

EULOGIES BY LLOYD GEORGE AND CHURCHILL

(British Official Wireless.) (Rec. noon.) RUGBY, Oct. 21. The Rt. Hon. David Lloyd George, “ father of the House of Commons,” presided at the joint meeting of the Commons and Lords addressed by General Smuts. Mr Lloyd* George said they greeted one of the foremost statesmen of his generation, who was excelled in calmness and discernment by no one in his age. “No one knows better than I General Smuts’s great experience of the last war, or the value of his judgment on that occasion. He will tell us something about this war, and from his words of wisdom we may gather some comfort and some confidence of deliverance from our present difficulties.” Mr Churchill, expressing the members’ thanks after General'Smuts had spoken, said he had tried hard in Cairo to persuade General Smuts to visit Britain. “ I felt that his presence here at a time when war hangs heavily upon ns would be a great reinforcement of our councils and our spirit. His wisdom, knowledge, and experience aro invaluable to tho i se .charged with executive responsibility. All he said arises from calm, profound reflection, from knowledge and from resolute, unflinching, and inflexible conviction and courage. In your name, I express to him our most profound acknowledgment, our gratitude and our thanks for all he has done in the long years that have gone; also for the impressive statement lie has delivered us to-day on what in many ways is an unprecedented occasion.”

Tremendous applause -was given General Smuts, whilfi Mr Churchill and Mr Lloyd George were also cheered.