OVERDOING IT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 September 1924, Page 9

OVERDOING IT

extra edition.

MR. MACDONALD’S WORK. KINDLY ACTION BY FRIEND. B? CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION - COP YRIGUT Received Sept. 15 8.5 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 13. Sir Alexander Grant, interviewed by the Sunday Express, said that Mr. MacDonald’s explanation respecting the shares was correct. ‘'Shortly after becoming Prime Minister he stayed with me in Edinburgh. He was looking very ill, and when I learned that he was travelling on the London underground railways I felt he was_overdoing things. For instance, after delivering a fine speech at the Pilgrim’s dinner he took 'a train to Chequers, where he had an old Ford car waiting;. I suggested that I should give him. a motor-car, and Mr. MacDonald replied: ‘There are onty three people from whom I would accept one. You are one' of the three.’’ That is the whole story. I think the nation ought to be grateful to me for doing something to preserve the health of a man whose , work is national.” .

A message published on Saturday stated: The newspapers give prominence to Mr. Ramsay MacDonald’s acquisition last March of .-£30,000 worth of shares in the biscuit firm of Messrs McVicie and Price. The controlling partner in the firm, Sir Alexander _ i/Grant, who is a lifelong friend and ad\mirer of the Premier, received a baronetcy in June. Questioned regarding the matter. Mr. MacDonald said: “The capital is not mine; I only technically own the shares. The matter has nothing to do with politics. Sir Alexander Grant received his baronetcy for public services, including a gift to the National Library of Scotland.” The Morning Post points out that the shares are on public record at Edinburgh, no attempt at concealment being made.

MR MACDONALD EXPLAINS,

GIFT OF CAR BY FRIEND

PROVISION FOR UPKEEP.

Received Sept. 15, 11.5 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 14. Mr MacDonald, interviewed, expressed indignation at the disclosure regarding the £30,000, not for his own sake, but because it reflected on Sir Alexander Grant. “When I became Prime Minister Sir Alexander Grant was the proudest and happiest man in Scotland, although we were at opposite poles in politics. We met shortly afterwards, and Sir Alexander Grant said his contribution to my • comfortwould be a Daimler car. I replied: “I will have to be content to hire a, car,” pointing out that when no longer Prime Minister I would be a pooi'er man than I was upon entering office. Sir Alexander Grant pressed the offer, saying, “I will- endow the car.” . . Mr MacDonald long objected, saying that to use a motor car was. against his simple habits. He finally consented, and it was arranged that £30,000 should be invested to provide interest for the upkeep of the car during Mr MacDonald’s lifetime; then the capital would revert to Sir Alexander Grant or his heirs. “Thus,” added Mr MacDonald, “though the capital is not mine I technically own the shares. ,J am sick to death to have to talk about

this, but must protect my dear old ; friend in the enjoyment of the honour V- which the King worthily bestowed ' upon him.”—Sydney Sun Cables.