The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1908. THE BRITISH PREMIERSHIP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2160, 8 April 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1908. THE BRITISH PREMIERSHIP.

Tho announcement oi Sir ilcnry Campbell-Bannerman’s resignation ol the. Premiership of Great Britain has surprised few who follow the courso of Imperial polities. Tho condition of Sir Henry’s health for several months lias caused his friends great anxiety, and ‘i t is nowsome time since by medical advico he was compelled to relinquish tho active leadership of tho Houso of Commons. Reports haro unfortunately increased in gravity during tho past few days, and a recent cable referred to his case as being almost hopeless. Under tho circumstances it becamo only a question of days when his resignation would bo handed to the King. The news will bo received everywhere with general regret, and tho nation as a whole will undoubtedly echo tho sympathetic references that ivero made by His Majesty in reply to the communication enclosing tho Premier’s resignation. During tho comparatively brief period that Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman lias boon at the head of the British Parliament ho lias succeeded in establishing a record as a leador that not many have surpassed. AA’hilst scarcely ranking as a great statesmen, he has displayed those raro qualities of good-humored tact and diplomacy that aid moro than anything elso in keeping together The diverse elements of a. political party. His conduct of liis high oflico was euch as to retain tlie wholo-hcarted loyalty of liis party and tho unfailing respect of liis opponents, and under theso circumstances tho late Premier was ablo to achieve considerably moro than might possibly havo stood to the credit of a more brilliant leader. It remains to be seen whether or not his' successor will be equally fortunate in liis results. In regard to the new Premier, it may at onco bo said flint tho rise of Mr. Asquith lias been tho most notable development in Imperial politics in recent years. Ho is young, as British statesmen go, being still only in his fifth-fifth year, and his Parliamentary career has been comparatively short. It must, however, bo borne in mind that ho had made for himself a name at tho Bar long beforo lie was given a place on the Treasury Benches.. In tho days when Labor agitators had very low friends in high places, lie conducted a masterly defence of Air. John Burns and Air. CunuinghameGrahain, who had boon charged with holding an unlawful assembly; and he made a brilliant junior to Sir Charles Russell in tho proceedings before the famous Parnell Commission. He bad entered Parliament in 18S6, and had sided at once' with the Home Rulers. With tho return of tho Liberals in 1892, Air Asquith was given the Home Office, although he had been but six years in Parliament, and had occupied no subordinate ministerial position. lie went out with Lord Rosebery in .1895, and for ten years boro bis part in tho dreary work of opposition. At the time of tho Boer war he was temporarily separated from tho rest of his party, having joined with Levd Rosebery and Sir Edward Grov in - subscribing to what was known as the Liberal Imperialism. However, a reconciliation was subsequently effected, and he was associated with liis old colleagues in the victorious campaign of the last election. 1 Air. Asquith is credited by many shrev/d observers with the most bril-j liant intellect in the present House of Commons. Mo lacks tho emotional qualities that are necessary to a great orator, but, on tlio other hand, he is a master of relentless logic, which lie enforces in clean-cut sentences and with lucid .argument. It is more than probable that the opponents of the Government, who have received considerable encouragement from tho results of tho recent by-elections, will: find Lhat their chances of regaining : office will havo materially lessened by the accession of Air. Asquith to the Premiership.